AITO Extended-Range Vehicles

Precondition the Car: Use Less Heat and AC While Driving
Using the air conditioning and especially the heater will noticeably decrease your battery charge, potentially leaving you with up to 30% less range. While it’s fine to make a few sacrifices in order to be “green” we don’t think shivering your way down the motorway is one of them. The best trick to combat this issue is preconditioning your car while it’s still charging. It takes the most energy to initially cool or warm your car, so do this while it’s still plugged in; once achieved, maintaining a comfortable temperature takes less energy.

Heated Seats: Less Reliance on Battery-Draining Heaters
If you’re buying a new electric car, be sure to include heated seats. There’s nothing like a toasty seat to warm you to the core. Not only is a heated seat pure bliss on a cold day but it can extend the range on your car since you’ll have less need for the heaters.

Use Cruise Control: Saves Battery on Flat Roads
Whether you drive an electric, petrol or diesel car, using cruise control can save on battery. Constant driving speed is highly correlated with higher fuel efficiency. This only applies to flat roads, however. On hilly roads cruise control can use more energy. It makes sense, really. When your own foot is on the accelerator, you would naturally ease up as you come to the top of a hill, knowing that gravity will start helping you on the way down.

Tyre Pressure: Proper Inflation Helps Fuel Economy
Under-inflated tyres have been proven to decrease fuel economy; every 1 psi drop in pressure translates into a 0.4% drop in mileage. Know the recommended psi for your car’s tyres and check regularly.

Drive Style: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Like it or not, driving more like a granny than a testosterone-fueled 20-year old saves energy. Accelerating slowly away from traffic lights, cornering gently and braking early and slow (letting friction naturally slow you down when you take your foot off the accelerator) will all increase the range in your car. Don’t worry about altering your driving style drastically if you just drive locally and recharge every night.