Enrolled in Hybrid and Electrical Mechanic Training? Strategies for Improving the Range of EVs
If you’re at all following the hot topics in the hybrid and electric vehicle industry, then you probably already know that range is one of the most talked about issues. Range is a measure of how many kilometres an EV can travel before it needs another charge. Prospective buyers of electric vehicles want to know that the EV they buy will be able to take them where they want to go, without having to be concerned about whether there’s a charging station close by. As frustrating as it is to run out of charge in the middle of nowhere, there are many technological advancements coming to the industry which promise to target this exact problem. What’s more, there are actually many strategies that EV owners can implement on their own to improve the range of their EV. If you’re interested in becoming a hybrid and electric vehicle mechanic, you can pass some tips onto your EV-driving clients to help them improve both their range and their overall driving experience. Discover some strategies for enhancing range below.
After Hybrid and Electrical Mechanic Training, Make Sure EVs are Being Charged at the Right Times
It might seem surprising, but the point at which an EV is charged matters for the range capacity it has. Just like any other battery, it’s important to monitor when an EV is done charging, rather than keeping it plugged into its charger whenever parked. As a hybrid and electric vehicle mechanic, you can recommend that EV owners condition their EV’s battery in order to maximize the vehicle’s range capacity. One important charging practice to remember is that if drivers are mostly making quick trips with their EV, they should charge the battery up to 80% of its capacity. This way, drivers can avoid using the last 20% of charge, where the battery cells are heated more and experience a greater level of wear and tear.
Monitor the EV’s Tire Pressure and Alignment
When the range of an EV is less than ideal, it often comes down to tire pressure and alignment. Reduced tire pressure can cause the mileage of an EV to drop significantly, resulting in reduced range capacity and increased tire wear. Additionally, if a vehicle’s wheels are out of alignment, this means that a vehicle will pull in a direction other than straight ahead. Given that the EV won’t be able to move forward as efficiently when its wheels are out of alignment, this can have a serious impact on an EV’s range capacity. During your career as a mechanic, help drivers to improve their range by ensuring that the tire pressure and alignment of their vehicle are accurate.
Help Drivers to Take Advantage of Their Regenerative Braking System
All EVs use regenerative braking, which is a system in which the electric motor acts as a generator, transferring energy to the battery whenever a driver takes their foot off of the accelerator or even touches the brakes. This system allows for friction brakes to only be used in rare situations, and it also means that there’s plenty of potential for the EV’s range capacity to increase. As a professional with hybrid and electrical mechanic training, you can help drivers to use their regenerative braking system to their advantage by switching to their EV’s maximum regenerative setting. This will allow the maximum amount of power to be transferred to the battery when a driver is decelerating, giving the battery more charge and thus improving the range of the vehicle.
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