We’ve not forgotten about the EV drivers out there either – there’s some tips at the end to help you get the most from each charge.
Let us know which ones you’ll be trying out!
1. Lighten the load
You wouldn’t set out on a big climb with a backpack filled with stuff you don’t need – the same goes for your boot.
Carrying unnecessary items in the boot will only make your car heavier, causing it to work harder than it needs to, and your fuel will run out earlier.
We know that emptying the boot isn’t ideal, but if you don’t need that super heavy pushchair or that jampacked toolbox on this particular journey, leave it at home.
2. Keep your car in tip top condition
Cars are complex machines with lots of moving parts, and if any one of them isn't working properly, it can start putting strain on your engine, using more fuel.
A quick win here is to make sure your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure.
Under-inflated tyres force your engine to push harder and, of course, use more fuel. Not sure on the tyre pressures for your car? Take a look in the car’s handbook or on the label inside the driver's door.
Of course, for complete peace of mind when you’re on the road, the best thing you can do for your car's fuel efficiency is to have it serviced regularly.
3. Such a drag
You’ll often see keen cyclists wearing skin-tight kit. This is because it allows air to pass over the body more smoothly, minimising any wind resistance (aka drag) that could slow them down.
With this in mind, it's worth trying to reduce the impact of drag on your car by keeping the windows closed whenever you can and removing that roof box if you’re not using it.
Because ultimately, more drag = unnecessary fuel consumption.
Both of these tips are particularly important for long journeys on the motorway, because drag has a bigger impact the faster you drive.
4. Go go gadget!
Did you know your car could be fitted with intelligent features that can increase your fuel efficiency? It's worth pinpointing these and taking advantage of them.
This includes any stop/start system that may be included with your car – this switches the engine off automatically when you're not moving, before restarting it instantly when you pull away.
You might also find you have choice of driving modes in your car – this usually includes an 'eco' option which switches the car to its most efficient settings.
If you're lucky enough to have cruise control – as a lot of cars seem to do these days – make the most of it when you’re driving on the motorway. This will keep you travelling at a steady pace, eliminating any subtle acceleration or deceleration that could cause the engine to work harder.
5. Accelerate and brake gently
We know this is easier said than done, especially if you’ve been driving a certain way for years.
Put simply, and it’ll probably come as no surprise, the faster a car accelerates, the more fuel it uses. Plus, if you brake suddenly, your engine has to work harder to get back up to speed, so your car will be guzzling at the fuel tank.
Driving as smoothly as possible is a great way to save on fuel, and it’ll also ensure a more comfortable ride for you and any passengers.
Take yourself back to when you were first learning to drive and try to anticipate what's going to happen in front of you.
When you look ahead, you’ll see any obstacles or parked cars in good time, which means you’ll be able to ease your foot off the accelerator, rather than having to slam on at the last second.
EV drivers can be bright sparks too
If you drive an electric car, you’ll be more concerned about getting as many miles out of each charge as possible, especially if you’re charging at home and keeping an eye on your energy bills.
Most of the advice we’ve shared above also applies to electric cars, especially:
- Going easy on the accelerator, keep things smooth
- Consider using an 'eco' drive mode if your car has one
It’s also worth knowing that many electric cars come with a pre-heating or pre-cooling function that allows you to remotely set the air-con to come on while the car is charging. Clever right?!
This means it’ll be at your chosen temperature when you get in and it’ll help protect battery life because you won't have to max the air-con (which saps a lot of power) on the move.
