Training video on EV driving and operation

EVs are different to operate, they are not like your conventional (ICE) internal combustion engine vehicle. Be aware of the following indications.

What This Training Video Covers

This course provides a practical overview of EV driver best practices for fleet drivers making the transition from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles. The video is structured around three areas every driver should understand before operating an EV on the road.

Maximizing vehicle range — The video covers regenerative braking as a key strategy for recovering energy while driving, HVAC system management to reduce battery drain, and route planning for electric vehicles including how elevation changes and extreme temperatures affect available range.

EV smart charging procedure — Drivers learn the complete charging sequence, covering both the vehicle side and the charger side, including safety checks, connector handling, and how to avoid damage to the charging equipment.

Basic troubleshooting — The video introduces charger status indicators so drivers can quickly identify and respond to common charging issues on the road.

The training is designed to apply across different EV types and charging stations, making it a useful starting point for any company managing a fleet transition. Fleet managers can find additional resources including vehicle manuals and charger guides on the Training Materials page.

Who Should Complete This Training

This video is intended for fleet drivers enrolling in EV operation for the first time, as well as drivers completing a knowledge refresher. It covers the basics of EV technology and charging that every driver needs to know, and is a quick way to ensure drivers are informed and prepared before getting behind the wheel of an electric vehicle for the first time.

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What Is the Best Daily Charging Routine for an EV?

For daily driving, keep the battery state of charge between 20% and 80%. This range preserves long-term battery health and capacity, and it is the single most useful battery management habit a driver can build. Plugging in at night while the vehicle is parked means every route starts with the expected range available.

Charging at the depot or at home does not always require new equipment. If the vehicle can be parked near a regular household outlet, the Level 1 charging cable included with many electric vehicles adds roughly 5 to 8 km of range per hour, which typically works out to 50 to 80 km overnight. For most daily routes this is enough to top the battery back up by morning. Charging to 100% occasionally, for example before an unusually long route, is fine. Drivers can also use the vehicle's app to precondition the cabin while still plugged in, so the energy comes from the charger instead of the battery.

When Should Drivers Use Fast Charging?

DC fast charging is best treated as a tool for longer routes rather than an everyday habit. Frequent fast charging generates heat that stresses the battery and can shorten its lifespan over time, so depot or overnight charging should remain the default.

When a fast charge is needed, charging up to about 80% is usually the most efficient use of time. Charging speed slows significantly after that point because the vehicle protects battery health, so the last 20% can take as long as much of the session before it. Posted power on the dispenser is a maximum, not a promise. Actual speed depends on the vehicle, its state of charge, and battery temperature, and some EV types charge much more quickly than others. In cold weather, routing to the fast charger through the vehicle's built-in navigation lets the battery precondition on the way, which can significantly improve charging speed on arrival. Training drivers on how to use public charging stations is essential for any fleet running longer routes.

How Can Drivers Maximize Range?

The three biggest levers for range are driving speed, smooth driving habits, and temperature management. Aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, so driving even 10 km/h slower on the highway quickly boosts the available range. Removing exterior accessories such as roof racks or bike mounts when they are not in use reduces drag further.

Electric motors deliver instant torque, and rapid or aggressive acceleration creates heavy spikes in power demand from the battery. Smooth acceleration paired with regenerative braking, which feeds energy back into the battery when slowing down, recovers a meaningful share of the energy that conventional brakes would lose as heat. In winter, heated seats and a heated steering wheel keep drivers comfortable using far less energy than the main cabin heater, which is one of the largest power draws in the vehicle. Finally, check tire pressure regularly. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and quietly drain range, and tires can lose about 1 psi of pressure per month.

Tips for Fleet Managers Onboarding New EV Drivers

Start new EV drivers on less ambitious routes. Giving drivers time to acclimate to regenerative braking, range behavior, and charging routines before assigning the longest runs makes the transition smoother for the whole fleet. This training video plus a short assessment is a quick, effective way to enroll each driver before their first day on the road.

Telematics data makes ongoing coaching much easier. Charging history and energy use logs show which drivers are plugging in as expected and where habits need work, and automated charging reminders help ensure vehicles are ready each morning. Two more points are worth covering in driver onboarding. EV tires can wear faster than those on conventional vehicles because of the added weight and instant torque, so check tread and rotate tires regularly to keep wear even. And because electric vehicles are quiet at low speeds, pedestrians and cyclists may not hear them approaching, so drivers should stay extra vigilant in parking lots, depots, and city traffic.

Last reviewed: June 2026.