(CNW Group/Geotab Inc.)
Geotab’s latest report may be a good indicator for dealers of the type of information electric vehicle shoppers and owners may be looking for this summer.
The company’s latest data shows that driving speed has a greater impact on EV range than summer heat, particularly when it comes to larger vehicles on longer trips. In a news release, Geotab said many EV drivers worry about how high temperatures and intense air conditioning use will affect their range. But they may not be aware that driving speed can be the bigger factor when it comes to range loss.
“Drivers tend to worry about using the aircon in hot weather, but our data shows that your right foot can make the biggest difference, particularly at high speeds,” said Charlotte Argue, Senior Manager of Sustainability at Geotab, in a statement. “Just slowing down by 10 or 15 mph can extend your range by 20–30 per cent, depending on the vehicle.”
While temperature still matters, the company said the issue is mostly at low speeds — perhaps because the impact of summer heat is more noticeable at lower speeds where drag is otherwise minimal. They said the constant draw from air conditioning is more apparent in these types of conditions.
“Modern EVs have increasingly large batteries, and many can comfortably handle most daily driving — including fleet routes — on a single charge,” said Argue. “But range, on EVs or ICE vehicles, will always vary with real-world conditions: temperature, topography, traffic, and yes, speed.”
