What are electric vehicles like to drive?
What the LEXperts say
EVs offer a smooth, quiet, and responsive drive – but there are some key differences compared to petrol vehicles. From instant acceleration and regenerative braking to how heating affects range, understanding these changes can help your drivers adapt quickly.
Starting up and accelerating
If your employees are new to EVs, there are several differences to make them aware of. First, there’s little to no engine sound. In most EVs the dashboard will light up, displaying a range indicator, rather than a fuel gauge.
Second, since EVs have a simplified transmission – which also frees up space and allows for a roomier, more flexible cabin layout – acceleration is typically brisk. Often, Eco or City modes are available to make urban driving easier.
Third, most fully electric vehicles have one forward and one reverse gear, like automatic petrol cars. This is because their drivetrains don’t need gearboxes. By simply depressing the accelerator the motor spins faster, which delivers extra speed to the wheels.
Regenerative braking
Another useful feature for your drivers to be aware of is regenerative braking, which recaptures energy when slowing down and sends a charge back to the car's battery. City EV drivers benefit from this feature more than motorway users, who brake less often.
Each braking event returns a small amount of energy. Over time, especially in stop-start traffic, this can make a noticeable difference. It also helps reduce wear on your brake pads. If you have the option of turning it off or on, we recommend you leave it on, thereby benefitting from the extra battery boost.
Heating EVs
One significant difference between traditional cars and EVs is the energy cost of heating them. In traditional vehicles, the combustion chamber and pistons generate a lot of waste heat as a by-product. Whilst this inefficiency isn’t great for fuel economy, it does provide warmth to the vehicle interior. By contrast, EVs are more efficient and generate heat by drawing power directly from the main battery. This means that in cold weather, it’s advisable for your employees to preheat their vehicle while it is plugged in, thus preserving the battery’s charge.
In many EVs, heated seats and steering wheels provide additional comfort and are more energy efficient than using hot air to heat the whole interior.