Electric cars are currently the favourite child of the automotive industry. They are more talked about, sought out, and discussed in future plans. The environment-friendly features and increasing petrol prices have contributed greatly to the rise of electric cars. However, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns with battery-powered vehicles. Manufacturers have pretty much gotten to the point where electric cars can be the perfect substitute for combustion engine cars. However, there are some things that the owners should be aware of while driving an electric car.
The Rise of Electric Cars
Petrol vs electric cars has been the topic of debate for some time now. The pros and cons of both vehicle types can put the customers into a dilemma. That said, there is still no denying the fact that electric cars are making their presence felt and the electric storm is taking over all the leading automobile manufacturers. This rise of electric cars can jeopardise the future of combustion engines but there are ways on how petrol cars can survive in an electric car future.
THINGS TO KNOW WHILE DRIVING AN ELECTRIC CAR
The prices of different electric cars and other major components such as batteries are one thing but let’s go through things to consider while driving an electric car.
TURN UP THE VOLUME
One known fact about electric cars is that they don’t make any noise. It might be hard to notice a car if it isn’t making any sound while it’s in motion, especially if you’re looking in the opposite direction. Governments interfered and forced manufacturers to develop noisy electric cars so that they are safer for everyone.
Chevrolet, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, and other brands have introduced a feature that enables a high-pitched sound when the car is running under 24 km/h. Since electric cars are silent at lower speeds, this could be a viable option to alert pedestrians. Whether you like the sound or not, you must embrace it when driving at lower speeds.
THE WAITING GAME
The wait for charging your electric car at a station is another one of the unusual electric car rules. You may or may not be able to charge your car at a fast charging station depending on your car’s battery and plug. The latest technology allows you to charge 80% of your car in about 30 minutes but if you are at a slow charging station, you might have to wait for a long time.
There are certain tips to eliminate boredom during EV recharge that can help you. However, It is advisable to charge your electric car overnight to avoid any delays. People now have charging kits at their homes so it makes things rather simple. Even if you don’t have your own charging setup, there are several options for electric car charging in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other cities of the Emirates.
SELECT SPECIFIC TYRES
There are specific tyres manufactured for all kinds of electric vehicles available in the market. The tyres are not only designed to help save energy during acceleration but they also help increase the regenerative charging abilities while you are driving an electric car. There have been instances where car manufacturers partnered with tire manufacturers to produce specific tyres for their respective electric vehicle models like automobile manufacturer Renault partnered with tire manufacturing giant Michelin for its electric vehicle’s tyres.
The specific tyres for your electric car may be hard to find and do not come cheap. You might want to keep your spare tire and repair kit ready for unforeseen events.
ANXIETY ROLLS IN
Another issue with EVs is the electric vehicles range anxiety. If you have been a frequent user of petrol cars, you might suffer from range anxiety until you get used to it. The electric vehicle’s range varies with speed, usage, and terrain.
The range anxiety is likely to follow you until you are well aware of your electric vehicle’s range. The ideal way to overcome this while driving and electric car is to know about all the nearest charging stations on your regular routes and find out about the ones nearby if you are planning a journey to an unknown territory.
SAVE, REGENERATE, REPEAT
This is rather among the cool things to know about electric cars. Among many others, one of the useful features of electric cars is energy regeneration. You can feel your car slow down when you take your feet off the accelerator. This happens because of the regenerative system, typically installed on the front wheels. It also helps when the car moves downhill; taking full advantage of the momentum.
It’s a useful trick to learn and drive with one pedal and use the brakes for emergencies only. This can also help you cope with range anxiety. Some vehicles come with advanced regenerative systems like Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq EV.
You can check out the following used cars if you are a fan of any of these brands:
USING THE AIR CONDITIONER
Although modern electric cars come with an extended range and high-powered batteries, you still might want to consider keeping an eye on your car’s air conditioner. It is fine for short trips to keep the AC on but for longer trips, AC can drain your electric car’s battery rather quickly; affecting the range. You might want to consider the weather conditions for longer trips in electric cars. You can also check out these electric cars with long ranges.
PLUG IT IN
Plugging your car in even if it has some juice left is another thing you should know about driving an electric car. With combustion engines, if you run out of fuel, you can stop at a station and get going in no time. For electric cars, you might have to wait longer and this can get frustrating if you are running out of time.
That’s a wrap-up for the fun facts about electric cars. Electric cars are here to stay and manufacturers are aware of the minor inconveniences that people face. Technological advancements have seen EVs become the new favourite and you can expect technology to overcome all the issues as well. However, there are things to consider before switching to electric cars that you might want to know.
That said, if you prefer an electric car for yourself, check out these used cars for sale in the UAE and select from a wide range of electric vehicles. You can also find a plethora of petrol cars if you want any of those.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information.
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