How to Increase the Range of Your Electric Car
Do you want to get the most mileage out of your electric vehicle (EV)? The good news is that there are practical ways to increase your electric car’s range without upgrading your battery. By optimising how you drive, maintain your vehicle, and manage weight and tyres, you can extend your range and make every charge go further.
Here are the four key optimisation points to improve your EV range:
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Driving style
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Vehicle maintenance
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Load and aerodynamics
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Tyres
⚡ 1. Adopt a Smooth, Anticipatory Driving Style
The single most effective way to improve your EV’s range is to practice eco-driving — a driving style focused on efficiency and energy conservation.
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Accelerate gently and brake gradually. Sudden acceleration and harsh braking consume more energy.
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Anticipate traffic flow. Look ahead, coast when possible, and use regenerative braking to recover energy.
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Watch your speed. Driving at higher speeds, especially on motorways, drains your battery faster. Range typically decreases as speed increases.
A smooth and consistent driving style can significantly extend your vehicle’s range — often by 10–20% compared to aggressive driving.
🧰 2. Keep Up With Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Just like conventional cars, EVs benefit from regular maintenance. Proper upkeep ensures that every system — including tyres and wheels — works efficiently.
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Check tyre pressure regularly. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which forces the motor to work harder and drains the battery faster.
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Maintain correct wheel alignment. Misalignment can cause uneven wear and reduced efficiency.
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Mind seasonal changes. Cold weather affects battery chemistry and can temporarily reduce range, especially when temperatures drop below zero.
Pro tip: Keep your tyres properly inflated year-round and perform seasonal check-ups to maximise your range and tyre lifespan.
🚗 3. Reduce Unnecessary Load and Drag
Every kilogram of extra weight affects your EV’s efficiency.
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Remove unnecessary items from the boot or cabin to reduce vehicle load.
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Minimise aerodynamic drag. Roof racks, cargo boxes, and bicycle carriers create additional air resistance, increasing energy consumption.
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Streamline your vehicle. When not in use, remove any external accessories to maintain optimal aerodynamics.
Lightening your load and reducing drag can noticeably improve your car’s range on daily commutes.
🛞 4. Choose the Right Tyres for Your Electric Car
Tyres play a critical role in determining how efficiently your car uses energy. The key factor here is rolling resistance — the energy lost as the tyre rolls along the road.
The lower the rolling resistance, the less energy is wasted, and the more range you gain.
At Michelin, rolling resistance is a core focus in tyre design. The result: tyres that maximise efficiency without compromising safety or comfort.
Which Michelin tyres can help improve EV range?
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For comfort and safety:
The MICHELIN e·Primacy tyre is ideal for everyday driving. It can increase your range by up to 7% — roughly 30 km more for a 400 km-range vehicle compared to other tyres in its category. -
For sporty driving:
The MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV is built for performance. It provides excellent grip and precision handling, while offering up to 60 km of additional range on certain high-performance electric vehicles.
🔍 How to Identify Tyres With the Best Rolling Resistance
In many regions, including Europe (and soon China), tyres carry a performance label similar to an appliance energy rating.
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The label ranks tyres from A (most efficient) to E (least efficient) for rolling resistance.
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Choosing an A-rated tyre over a C-rated one can noticeably increase your range and reduce energy consumption.
🚀 In Summary
You can extend your EV’s range through smart habits and simple optimisations:
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Drive smoothly and efficiently.
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Keep your car and tyres well maintained.
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Minimise weight and aerodynamic drag.
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Fit your car with high-efficiency tyres like MICHELIN e·Primacy or MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV.
With the right care, tyres, and driving techniques, you can travel farther, save energy, and enjoy a quieter, more efficient electric driving experience.