Time to switch to electric: top tips for new EV drivers

Whether you are new to electric driving or just want to take your first few day trips in an electric car, Juice Technology is putting its years of experience at your disposal by offering some valuable tips that will help you to get the most out of your new EV and simply enjoy a great drive.

1. Plan your route in advance

According to Zap-Map, there are now almost 39,000 public charging points for electric vehicles across the UK. Although public charging points are becoming more widespread, relying solely on the public infrastructure can be complicated. This means that it is not advisable to set off without first deciding where and when you plan to stop to recharge the car battery. Otherwise you may find yourself far from a charging station and with no power reserves – unless you have a portable charger. Juice therefore recommends that you plan your route in advance and include stops for charging if you intend to cover long distances. Contrary to what you might think, you don't necessarily need to have access to a DC fast charger – an AC charging station will do. This may take a little longer, but you can use the time to enjoy the location, visit local attractions, have something to eat, or simply sleep. The route is part of the journey. In any case, it is always advisable to take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours of driving, regardless of whether you are driving electric or not.

2. Take a portable EV charger with you

Driving away from urban centres almost always means using rural roads, where charging points are usually further away or completely non-existent. But that's no reason to give up your electric car: for emergencies or just for convenience, it's a good idea to carry a portable charger such as our Juice Booster 2 with you so that you can recharge whenever you need to.

The great benefit of this 22-kW portable unit is its flexibility. It allows you to charge your EV wherever there is electricity, be it at a public charging point or elsewhere. Just find a socket and plug it in. Regardless of the type of connection, it will automatically adjust to the correct configuration and start charging. This is ideal for travelling as it helps to reduce EV range anxiety.

3. Take advantage of regenerative braking

Drivers of e-vehicles can enjoy the benefits of “regenerative braking”. The kinetic energy consumed during deceleration or braking – which would otherwise have been lost – is converted into electrical energy to recharge the battery. Depending on driving conditions and your vehicle model, this is a big advantage when it comes to optimising the battery on the road and helping to preserve the battery charge.

4. Get an EV app

If you are planning a trip across the country or across Europe, an EV app is a particularly useful tool. There are many different kinds available, but best of all is an integrated app that brings together all the important vehicle, driving, and charging data in one tool, giving the driver a complete overview with attractive graphics and intuitive, easy-to-use functions. This makes managing an EV trip so much easier. With j+ pilot, an app that is compatible with all models of cars, every trip is automatically recorded, allowing the app to show how much energy the car consumes and how much regenerative braking energy is recovered in a given trip. This helps you to drive in a more economical and sustainable manner and allows you to recharge your car using only green energy.

5. Enjoy the ride

Electric cars are quiet, agile, and nimble, making driving a pleasant and relaxing experience. This is a great advantage for the driver and passengers, who will find the environment in the car much more relaxing. Driving an electric car is not just a means of getting to your destination – it is part of your holiday!