Many users complain that when they buy an electric vehicle, the manufacturer claims it can have a range of 300 or 400 kilometers. However, in practice, it often falls short. Why is this the case? Besides driving habits, other factors play a role. Even with the same car, energy consumption can vary greatly among different users. For traditional fuel vehicles, fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is a critical indicator as it relates to the cost of using the car. For electric vehicles, energy consumption per 100 kilometers is even more important because it affects the driving range.
Here, we need to mention a term: NEDC, which stands for "New European Driving Cycle." This is the European endurance test standard. This test does not actually place the car on real roads but instead fixes the vehicle on a test bench in a controlled environment. The tires contact rollers below the bench, simulating driving resistance at different speeds. The ambient temperature is controlled between 20-30 degrees Celsius, with the air conditioning and lights turned off. Additionally, a fan is positioned at the front of the car to simulate airflow and cool the motor, mimicking real road conditions.
This testing method is very similar to traditional fuel vehicle fuel consumption tests, simulating various road conditions such as urban, suburban, and highway driving. In fact, before electric vehicles became widespread, the NEDC evaluation standard was mostly used to assess fuel vehicle emission levels.
China's adoption of the NEDC conditions has standardized the measurement of fuel and energy consumption tests. This not only makes it easier for consumers to compare vehicles before purchase but also ensures fairer technical competition among car manufacturers.
A thousand drivers can produce a thousand different fuel or energy consumption figures. This is related to driving habits, traffic conditions, air conditioning power, and many other factors.
So, how can you save power and extend the range of your electric vehicle? Here are a few tips:
Table of Contents
Tip 1: Use Air Conditioning Properly
For electric vehicles, the duration and intensity of air conditioning use directly impact battery consumption, especially when using heating in winter, which consumes more power than cooling in summer. Therefore, it is advisable to turn off the air conditioning when the ambient temperature is between 20-30 degrees Celsius.
Tip 2: Develop Good Driving Habits
When using an electric vehicle, accelerate and brake gently. Make full use of energy recovery.
Tip 3: Control Your Speed
The faster you drive, the greater the wind resistance. Wind resistance is the most significant factor affecting range. It is recommended to keep your speed below 80 kilometers per hour. When driving above 100 kilometers per hour, the subsequent range will noticeably decrease. This is why electric vehicles consume more power on highways.
Tip 4: Temperature Factors
The ideal operating temperature for new energy vehicles is 25°C. The temperature of the power battery, whether high or low, affects discharge efficiency. Try to maintain the battery temperature around 25°C. However, as a car owner, this is difficult to achieve since we cannot control the ambient temperature. This is why the range of electric vehicles is significantly lower in winter compared to spring and autumn.
By understanding these points, electric vehicle owners can develop good driving habits, naturally enhancing the range of their beloved cars.
