EVs are different from ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles. The driving behavior is crucial to optimize the vehicle's autonomy and range. By following these simple tips and thinking ahead, will make a world of difference in your experience
BEST PRACTICES WITH YOUR EV:
- HVAC Best Practices
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) is a wonderful convenience in your commercial electric vehicle. However, it can be a significant draw on your High Voltage battery.
Here are a few best practices to use in order to minimize the draw that your Heating and Cooling will pull from your battery, and ultimately your range; or distance that your vehicle will go before needing a recharge:
- Keep your cabin doors and cargo partition doors closed when using HVAC. If these are left open, then your EV will be working hard to heat (or cool) not only the cabin, but the whole rear of the vehicle as well.
- Keep the HVAC fan to a lower setting to use less electricity, without compromising your comfort of course.
- Turn the vehicle off when you’re not in it so that it isn’t idling and needlessly heating or cooling the cab.
- In brief, be wise with HVAC usage and keep it off when it can be off
BEHAVIOR ON THE ROAD:
- Regenerative Braking. To slow down, simply let go of the gas pedal without applying the brakes, unless you have no choice of course.
Your commercial electric vehicle is equipped with regenerative braking to be intended to be used when slowing down, when approaching a stop sign or a red light.
Regenerative braking captures the kinetic energy from braking and converts it into the electrical power that charges the vehicle’s high voltage battery. Regenerative braking slows the car down, which assists the use of traditional brakes. The less you use the brakes, the better. The vehicle will begin to gradually stop by merely releasing the accelerator pedal.
You will likely find that with a bit of practice, you’ll become better and better at utilizing this important benefit.
- Route Planning. Highway driving, route elevation, outdoor temperature, charging stations.
When planning your route for the day with your Commercial Electric Vehicle, keep in mind the following variables:
- Highway driving – Highway driving at high speeds will deplete the battery. More so as there are not many braking events, meaning no charging the battery using regenerative braking. This will lessen your range expectations. When driving on the highway, do not exceed the speed limit (going over 100km/h will drain the battery significantly).
- Changes in elevation – Driving uphill is an extra draw on your high voltage battery as the motor is working harder. You can make some of this energy back when going downhill via the regenerative braking system.
- Ambient temperature – Although some commercial vehicles come equipped with extra battery protection which could include battery heaters/coolers, extreme ambient temperatures can affect your EV battery performance.
- Charging Stations – Keeping these things in mind as well as the weight of your freight, have a look for charging stations along the route. It may be a good idea to stop and charge. Perhaps during your lunch break, the vehicle can get a quick charge.
There are websites, apps, memberships and so on, to help you locate where all of the public charging stations are.
As you know, an EV vehicle is different from an ICE vehicle (Internal combustion engine). Following these tips and thinking ahead, will make a world of difference in your EV experience.
DO YOU HAVE AN ISSUE THAT REQUIRES FURTHER ASSISTANCE?
Please, do not hesitate to contact us trough:
- 7Gen Customer Support Portal. By clicking here you can find instructions on how to create an account within our support center.
- Email: support@7gen.com
- Call: +1 855 743 6938 (+1-855-7GENZEV)