5 Simple Hacks To Extend The Range of EV Taxis
In this article, we’ll share our top tips to help you make the most of your electric taxi range.
If you drive an electric taxi, chances are you’ll want to do everything you can to maximise your driving range.
From fully electric to the various types of hybrids, many electric taxis will need plugging in to recharge. But how can you extend your electric range for longer?
Read on for our top tips on how to make the most of those miles.
1. Plan your journeys
As a taxi driver, planning and preparation are already key to your role. But did you know a bit of extra preparation can help maximise your driving range?
By planning your journeys, you can make journeys more efficient. Many apps for taxi drivers allow you to view live traffic conditions and alternative routes, which can help conserve your range.
Getting organised will also help you reduce ‘dead miles’, which refers to the miles often wasted travelling in between fares. Instead of heading straight to the next job elsewhere, you could try waiting to see if any fares closer to you come up.
This is just one of the many ways you can save money as a taxi driver, while making the most of your electric taxi range.
2. Drive smoothly
Driving smoothly is another simple way you can help extend your electric driving range. Just as harsh acceleration and braking uses up more fuel in petrol and diesel taxis, the same goes for electric.
You should aim to apply gentle acceleration when pulling away and make the most of regenerative braking.
This is where the energy often lost when slowing down is captured and harnessed to help charge your electric battery. Instead of harsh braking, you should relax your foot on the accelerator and allow the taxi to slow down more naturally.
Not only will this help reduce the load on your electric taxi’s battery, but also save energy. So it turns out, slow and steady wins the race (or in this case, range!).
Turning off your heating or air con when the temperature is comfortable is another way you can save energy.
3. Keep your battery level between 20-80%
When heading out for the day, you’ll likely want to have a fully charged phone. Though the same isn’t always as practical for driving an electric taxi.
Contrary to what you may think, it’s not best practice to charge your battery to full every time. Instead, it’s generally recommended to keep your battery between 20-80% for optimal efficiency.
Overcharging or undercharging the battery can have an impact on the lifespan, which is why it’s recommended to stay within this range.
Scheduling your charging is a great way to charge your electric taxi, allowing you to top up your battery to your preferred level.
4. Use Eco mode
Many electric taxis feature an Eco mode which you can use to tailor your performance. This mode often allows you to maximise range by limiting your acceleration. You can also often fine-tune regenerative braking to help you capture more energy.
Knowing how to use this mode effectively is sure to help you when it comes to maximising your electric range.
With plug-in hybrid taxis, you can also use it to help you avoid Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charges while driving in electric mode. Then, you can switch back to normal driving and conserve your battery power.
5. Keep up with your electric taxi’s maintenance
With fewer moving parts inside, maintaining your electric taxi is already simple. By keeping up with maintenance, such as checking your tyre pressure, you can save more energy.
It’s well known that under or overinflated tyres can cause your taxi to use more energy (or fuel). Keeping your fluids topped up and the replacing air filters is another way you can save a few more miles of range.
If you operate an electric taxi fleet, you may want to consider monitoring vehicle driving data. This will help you to keep on top of all your maintenance at once, and ensure your fleet is in top form.
Get more for your business at The Taxi Centre
We hope you found these tips useful and know how to maximise your electric taxi’s range. For more helpful advice and taxi news, check out our newsroom.
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