How to increase EV range: practical ways to extend your electric car’s range

Tips to avoid your EV running out of charge

Plan routes and charging stops in advance

Before starting your EV journey, plan your route carefully. Using navigation systems that factor in elevation, traffic conditions and charging locations can reduce unnecessary detours and energy use.

In hilly or mountainous areas, route choice can have a noticeable impact on range. While regenerative braking can recover energy on descents, long climbs require significant power. Choosing flatter routes where possible may result in better overall efficiency.

Planning charging stops ahead of time can also reduce range anxiety and prevent situations where drivers feel pressured to drive faster or use energy-intensive settings to reach a charger. The RACV App provides information about the location of charging stations along your route. You can also check to see if the charger is available or operable.

Charge regularly to protect battery health

Maintaining battery health is important for preserving electric vehicle range over time. While modern EV batteries are designed to last many years, certain charging habits can help slow long-term degradation.

Ideally, you should be keeping your battery charged between 20 and 80 per cent. Frequently charging to 100 per cent, or letting the battery drop to very low levels, can place stress on the battery.

Parking in shaded or sheltered areas during extreme heat can also help protect the battery, particularly during Australian summers.

More: EV battery guide: types, capacity, charge levels, and safety

Understanding your EV range

It’s important to remember that the manufacturer’s claimed driving range doesn’t always reflect real‑world conditions. These figures are calculated using standardised lab tests, which create a consistent benchmark but can’t capture everyday variables like weather, terrain, driving style, speed, air‑conditioning use or battery age.

To get a clearer picture of what you can expect in practice, head to RACV Car Match, where you can research and compare different EV models side‑by‑side.

It’s also helpful to look at independent real‑world range testing. The Australian Automobile Association's (AAA) Real-World Testing Program recently evaluated five electric vehicles and found notable differences between lab results and on‑road performance. In this round of testing, driving‑range and energy‑consumption figures came in five to 23 per cent lower than the manufacturers’ official laboratory ratings.

Understanding this gap, and weighing it up in your car‑buying journey, will help you choose an EV that confidently meets your lifestyle, driving habits and range expectations.

More: Does your electric vehicle match its driving range claim?

Keep software up to date

Electric vehicles rely heavily on software to manage battery performance, energy use and regenerative braking. Manufacturers regularly release updates that improve efficiency, refine range estimates or optimise vehicle systems.

Ensuring your EV's software is up to date can help you benefit from these improvements. Updates may be installed automatically or require a visit to a service centre, depending on the vehicle brand and model.

Maintain tyres and check tyre pressure regularly

Tyres play a crucial role in how efficiently an electric vehicle uses energy. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, meaning the motor must work harder to move the car. Over time, this can reduce range and accelerate tyre wear.

Checking tyre pressure regularly and keeping it within the manufacturer's recommended range supports both safety and efficiency. Some EVs are fitted with low rolling resistance tyres designed to maximise range, and replacing tyres with similar specifications can help maintain optimal performance.

Wheel alignment is another factor worth monitoring, particularly if the vehicle pulls to one side or tyres show uneven wear. Proper alignment reduces resistance and improves overall driving efficiency.

More: The best tyres for electric cars (and what makes EV tyres different)

Use climate control efficiently

Heating and cooling systems are among the largest energy consumers in an electric vehicle. In Australia's climate, air conditioning in summer and heating in colder regions can significantly affect range if used continuously at high settings.

To reduce energy use, it's worth pre-conditioning the vehicle while it's still plugged in. Many EVs allow drivers to cool or heat the cabin before departure using mains power rather than the battery. This can be particularly useful on hot summer days or cold winter mornings.

Once on the road, setting the climate control to a moderate temperature and using features such as seat heaters, if available, can be more energy-efficient than heating the entire cabin. Using ventilation or eco climate modes, where provided, can also help conserve battery power.

Drive smoothly and anticipate traffic conditions

One of the most effective ways to increase electric vehicle range is to adopt smooth, predictable driving habits. Rapid acceleration and hard braking draw significant energy from the battery - particularly in stop-start traffic. By accelerating gradually and maintaining a steady speed, you can reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency.

Anticipating traffic flow is also important. Allowing extra distance between your vehicle and others enables gentle deceleration rather than sudden braking. This approach is especially useful in urban driving, where frequent stops can otherwise reduce range quickly.

On highways and freeways, maintaining a consistent speed rather than constantly speeding up and slowing down can significantly improve range. Using cruise control on flatter roads can help, although it may be less effective on hilly terrain where manual control allows better anticipation of inclines and descents.

Make the most of regenerative braking

Most electric vehicles are equipped with regenerative braking: a system that recovers energy when the car slows down and feeds it back into the battery. Learning how to use regenerative braking effectively can noticeably extend driving range, particularly in city traffic.

Many EVs allow drivers to adjust the level of regenerative braking. Higher settings enable stronger energy recovery when lifting off the accelerator, which can reduce reliance on the brake pedal. With practice, drivers can use one-pedal driving in some conditions, slowing the vehicle smoothly while recharging the battery at the same time.

While regenerative braking does not replace careful driving, it works best when combined with forward planning and gentle deceleration. Sudden braking limits the amount of energy that can be recovered.

Adjust driving modes for efficiency

Many electric vehicles offer different driving modes, such as eco, normal or sport. Eco modes are designed to reduce energy consumption by softening throttle response, optimising regenerative braking and limiting power to non-essential systems.

Using eco mode for everyday driving can help extend range, particularly in urban environments. While sport or performance modes can be enjoyable, they typically draw more power from the battery and reduce overall efficiency.

Selecting the appropriate mode for the driving situation allows drivers to balance performance and range as needed.

More: When to use EV mode in a plug-in hybrid car

Reduce unnecessary weight and aerodynamic drag

Carrying extra weight requires more energy, regardless of whether a vehicle is electric or petrol-powered. Removing unnecessary items from the boot and cabin can improve efficiency, particularly for daily driving.

External accessories such as roof racks, roof boxes and bike carriers can significantly increase aerodynamic drag. While these accessories are useful for holidays and outdoor activities, removing them when not in use can help increase electric vehicle range. Even when driving at suburban speeds, added drag can lead to higher energy consumption.

Keeping windows closed at higher speeds also helps reduce aerodynamic resistance, allowing the vehicle to move more efficiently through the air.

What happens if my EV runs out of charge?

If your EV is out of charge, RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance (ERA) can tow you to the nearest accessible charging station or your preferred destination within your ERA plan's kilometre limit.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid vehicles (HEVs) that are powered by both electricity and petrol will be provided free petrol or diesel when you have run out of fuel and charge (up to 5 litres; only available in Victoria).

RACV roadside assistance experts will usually be there within an hour of your request.

If you're broken down and need help now, call RACV on 13 11 11.