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Is the range of electric cars an obstacle for many? A Mustang Mach-E owner reveals an unsuspected secret. After an unexplained drop in range, a simple manipulation of his car’s menus enabled him to regain optimum range. Find out how to optimise the range of your electric vehicle.
A user who sees his autonomy drop
Switching to an electric car is an important step for many motorists. While the environmental and economic benefits are undeniable, the limited range of these vehicles remains a major obstacle for many. Anxiety about recharging and uncertainty about actual range are major psychological obstacles that dissuade drivers from taking the plunge. However, one Mustang Mach-E owner, youtuber Petrol Ped, shares his experience and reveals a secret that could well be a game-changer for future electric vehicle buyers.
After two months’ use of its new Mustang Mach-E, Petrol Ped has noticed a gradual and worrying drop in the car’s range. Electric vehicles, and the Mustang Mach-E in particular, are renowned for their performance and record-breaking range, but he was puzzled by the steady decline in range on a full charge. As the weeks went by, the advertised range dropped from over 400 kilometres to just 330, raising doubts and questions among this new electric car owner.
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Simple adjustment for greater autonomy
Faced with this confusing situation, Petrol Ped looked for solutions and finally discovered a crucial parameter that had a significant impact on the car’s range. A simple adjustment in the vehicle’s menus restored the range to its initial level, and even improved it.
Petrol Ped’s experience highlights an often overlooked aspect of electric cars: the importance of understanding how the battery and range work. Unlike internal combustion vehicles, where fuel consumption is relatively linear, the range of an electric car is influenced by a multitude of factors, such as driving style, outside temperature, use of air conditioning or heating, and even wear and tear on the battery.
The on-board computer of an electric car calculates the remaining range based on the driving history of the last few kilometres covered. This means that sporty driving or intensive use of the air conditioning over a short period can distort the range estimate and give the impression that the car is running out of fuel more quickly than expected.
The importance of resetting the driving history
Resetting the driving history allows you to reset the counters and start again from a neutral base. The on-board computer will then recalculate the range based on the new driving data, giving a more accurate and reliable estimate.
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Petrol Ped’s experience confirmed the effectiveness of this manipulation. After resetting the driving history, he noticed a significant increase in the range displayed, from 336 kilometres to over 530 kilometres. What’s more, he noticed that the actual range corresponded more closely to the estimate displayed by the on-board computer.
Tips to maximise your independence
As well as resetting the driving history, there are other tips for optimising the range of an electric car. Smooth, anticipatory driving, avoiding sudden acceleration and braking, reduces energy consumption. Similarly, using the ‘eco’ or ‘regenerative’ mode, which recovers energy when braking, helps to increase range.
The outside temperature also plays an important role. Electric car batteries perform less well in cold weather. It is therefore advisable to preheat the battery before setting off in winter, while the car is still plugged into a power socket.
Petrol Ped also stressed the importance of home charging for electric car owners. Having a home charging point means that you can charge your car overnight at a low rate, and you don’t have to worry about public charging points, which can be expensive and sometimes difficult to access.
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A step towards the democratisation of electric cars
Petrol Ped’s experience is a valuable testimonial for anyone thinking of switching to an electric car. By gaining a better understanding of how the battery and range work, and by adopting a few simple tips, it is possible to optimise the range of your vehicle and reduce the anxiety associated with recharging. These tips, shared by a real user, help to demystify the electric car and make it more accessible to the general public. They show that range is not an inevitability and that it is possible to enjoy the full benefits of electric mobility without worrying about the constraints of recharging.
Petrol Ped’s story is a concrete example of how electric vehicle technology is constantly evolving and improving. By sharing his experience, he is helping to dispel doubts and fears about the range of electric cars. His testimony is helping to democratise the use of these vehicles and encourage motorists to take the step towards more sustainable mobility. The future of the motor car is electric, and initiatives like Petrol Ped’s, which share valuable information and practical tips, are essential to support this transition and remove the last remaining barriers to the adoption of electric cars by the general public. With a better understanding of the technology and good practice in its use, the range of electric cars will no longer be an obstacle, but an asset for cleaner and more economical mobility.
