As in road safety, which has increasingly efficient and technologically evolved elements such as the Help Flash device, the automotive industry is also about to undergo a truly silent revolution. In this case, there may be a literal application, since combustion engines are giving way to electric or electrified models that are quieter, more efficient and friendlier to the environment. But do you know how to make the best use of this technology or enhance your autonomy? In this article, we will explain how you can do it.
We must begin by explaining the difference between the different modes of electricity most in vogue currently. More simply, these are called light hybrids ( MHEV ) that usually have a higher capacity starter motor/generator that assists the electric motor and allows you to reduce consumption and emissions, prolong or call “sail” mode (or the car slips without help from the fuel engine) and allows a response. more immediately to the accelerator.
The next step is the hybrid models ( HEV ), which also have an electric motor (of higher or lower power) and a small battery, normally with about 1.5 kWh of power, which allows a range in 100% electric mode of approximately 3 to 4 km. This system is the avant-garde of, in urban circuits, allowing the car to circulate for a longer period of time, traveling only on electric energy.
The PHEVs , or plug-in hybrids, have batteries with capacities of approximately 15 kWh that allow electric ranges at least 60/70 km. These can be recharged using an external source and, like the rest, recover energy through kinetic energy in work and deceleration.
Finally, we have 100% electric cars ( EV or BEV ) that run on higher capacity batteries (we can exceed 100 kWh) and ranges that can exceed 600 km. These can be powered by large capacity chargers and superchargers (preferably above 50 kW) to reduce waiting time. Nothing prevents you from being charged at home, but with large capacity batteries, the charges take very long.
How to drive an electric car effectively
Like any other car, the only thing that is important is the smoothness and the advance. Driving more smoothly and trying to anticipate the dangers that are evident is essential to preserve energy, a particularly important factor in an electric vehicle.
Boosting the capacity to regenerate energy from work and decelerations can help significantly prolong autonomy. For example, relieving the accelerator beforehand when approaching from a crossing or starting in “B” mode (many models have this function) or two commands to regulate the levels of regenerative work, on steeper descents, helps to recover a lot of energy that, otherwise, would be wasted.
Many modern electric cars also have a "single pedal" option that uses regenerative power to completely stop the car. This means that you only need to use the accelerator - called "a pedal" - to accelerate or release.
External factors that can influence the autonomy of an electrical system
As electric cars are powered by batteries, there are some external factors that can impact the range of an electric vehicle, including:
- The weather - Very cold weather can slightly reduce the range of an electric car.
- The morphology of the terrain – As is obvious, driving on hills requires more energy than on flat terrain, so autonomy can be reduced if driving in a particularly mountainous area.
- At speed: To reach and maintain higher speeds, the battery needs to use much more energy to combat aerodynamic drag and attrition, since the more pressure you drive, the more quickly the autonomy will decrease. According to some studies, reducing to average speed at 10 km/h allows an energy boost of almost 15%.
Tricks to maximize autonomy
The question of the autonomy of electric cars continues to be on the order of the day and to be a topic of recurring discussion between technology adepts and the fiercest critics. But the truth is that it is possible to enhance, and very much, the autonomy of an electric car with some simple “indications” of use.
Adjust the interior temperature of your car before leaving home - and as soon as it is charging - it also provides energy and ensures more autonomy. This process can normally be initiated and controlled through a smartphone application or pre-programmed in the car's own menu.
The common sense is the knowledge that the more electrical devices connected inside the car, the more energy it will consume. Therefore, be careful and use only what is necessary. If you are traveling sozinho and if the function is available, use the definition of "barely the driver" to be conditioned, or, better yet, desligue-o always possible.
If your car allows you to activate the bench and steering wheel heating, it will be more efficient (waste less energy because it operates directly by contact) than the car's air conditioning systems, which will keep everything cool at its own pace.
The infotainment screens also contain some power, but are often necessary to access the navigation and charging settings. Now that all electric vehicles are equipped with a smartphone application that allows you to monitor available range, find the nearest cargo locations and define pre-conditioning controls.
If your car has a selection of driving modes, always use “Eco” or one that favors efficiency. Please note that this may slightly penalize performance, reduce power or inhibit the operation of the condition, so pay attention and adjust to use in selected mode.
Keeping the pressure of the tires properly adjusted and opting for ecological tires in the recommended size (avoid tire/height tire measurements provided by series) also helps to reduce fatigue and, thus, to save energy.
