First and foremost, driving an electric car is fun. Anyone who drives an electric car for the first time gets out again afterwards with a smile on their face. The smooth, quiet and rapid acceleration is impressive, and the turning radius is also smaller than in conventional cars with a front (combustion) engine. As the motor in an electric car is located at the rear, the front wheels can be turned further, which has a positive effect on the turning radius and thus on manoeuvrability.
While slowing down a car with a combustion engine involves braking, with an electric vehicle all you have to do is take your foot off the accelerator. The resulting braking energy is used by the system to generate electricity through recuperation. This type of driving is called one-pedal driving, and once you get the hang of it you can handle almost any situation. Of course, recuperation also takes place when the brake pedal is used.
For long distances, i.e. when a single charge is not enough for the stretch, a stopover should be planned. The best approach is to think about this before starting the journey, and to set off without the risk of “range anxiety” en route.
Anticipatory, defensive driving is recommended in general, including for electric cars. Rapid acceleration and constant high speeds consume more power and reduce the range more quickly. Energy can be saved by driving in the slipstream of another vehicle, provided the prescribed safety distances are maintained. Regularly monitoring of tyre pressure is also worthwhile, and allows the car to run more smoothly and with less resistance.
