7 Electric Vehicle Driving Tips

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer just a glimpse of the future. They are becoming a familiar sight on Singapore’s roads. If you’re among those considering the switch, or you’ve already added an EV to your fleet, you’ll soon realize that driving an electric car is a noticeably different experience from operating a traditional gas-powered vehicle. 

For instance, EVs deliver instant torque, so gentle acceleration helps conserve energy, while taking advantage of regenerative braking can extend your driving range and reduce wear on your brakes.

Knowing how to drive an electric car efficiently is particularly important for businesses where deliveries and daily transportation play a crucial role in day-to-day operations. So whether you’re a small business owner managing your own deliveries or a fleet manager training your drivers, these electric car driving tips below will help you get the most out of every trip.

Tip 1: Use Regenerative Braking to Your Advantage

Regenerative braking is an energy-saving feature in electric cars that captures the energy produced when slowing down and sends it back to the battery.

Here’s how to use it effectively: release the accelerator earlier and let the vehicle gradually reduce speed before gently applying the brakes. This is also how braking should ideally be done in EVs to support energy recovery, making every trip more efficient and helping to extend your driving range.

Tip 2: Be Gentle with the Accelerator

One thing you’ll notice when driving an electric car for the first time is how quickly it responds the moment you press the accelerator. That instant torque is excellent for quick take-offs, but it also means heavy acceleration can drain the battery faster and make the drive feel jerky.

And while it’s tempting to speed up quickly to complete deliveries faster, doing so wastes energy. Applying gentle, steady pressure instead prevents sudden power surges, protects the battery, and keeps the vehicle easier to control.

Tip 3: Keep Speed Steady for Better Range

Maintaining a steady speed is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to maximize the battery life of your EV. As mentioned earlier, sudden speed changes require the motor to work harder, which causes it to consume energy more quickly.

On longer delivery routes or highways, try to maintain a consistent pace instead of constantly accelerating and decelerating. One way to make this much easier is by using cruise control, a built-in system that maintains your car’s speed at a steady rate without requiring you to press the accelerator. 

Reducing unnecessary speed changes helps the motor use power more efficiently, improves driving comfort, and allows you to travel farther on a single charge.

Tip 4: Drive in Eco Mode (If Available)

Most modern EVs tend to include an Eco Mode, a built-in setting that changes how the car uses energy to make each drive more efficient. It works by limiting acceleration, adjusting power delivery, and reducing the energy used by features like air conditioning. 

This helps the vehicle use less power without affecting basic performance. It’s especially useful when you’re stuck in heavy city traffic or making frequent short trips, where constant stopping and starting can quickly drain the battery.

Tip 5: Plan Your Routes to Maximize Range

Another helpful tip for those driving EVs is to plan routes carefully before starting a trip. Because electric vehicles rely on battery power, knowing the distance and terrain ahead helps ensure there’s enough charge to reach the destination.

For longer drives or delivery routes, planning also means choosing paths with nearby charging stations. This reduces the risk of running low on power mid-journey.

Tip 6: Turn Off Features You’re Not Using to Conserve Power

Every bit of energy matters in an electric vehicle, so another smart tip when driving one is to switch off features that aren’t needed. Systems like air conditioning, seat heaters, and infotainment screens can quietly drain battery power, especially on longer drives.

Being mindful of what’s running helps preserve range and ensures that more energy is directed toward driving.

Tip 7: Embrace the Silence and Trust the EV’s Power

When driving an electric vehicle, one important thing to remember is not to mistake silence for weakness. EVs run much more quietly than petrol cars, but that’s part of how they’re designed — they deliver strong, instant power without the noise or revving of an engine.

Trusting that capability helps reduce unnecessary acceleration, maintains steady energy use, and enables the vehicle to perform consistently. It also creates a calmer driving environment, turning even long delivery schedules into a smoother and more comfortable everyday experience.

Power Every Delivery with Smarter EV Driving

By following the driving tips above, every journey becomes more efficient and productive, helping businesses deliver goods smoothly while maximizing their EV’s battery and performance.

For businesses ready to make the switch to EVs, or those interested in upgrading their delivery vehicles, Hong Seh Motors offers a range of high-quality electric commercial vehicles in Singapore, including EV trucks and vans built to meet specific delivery needs.

You’re welcome to visit our showroom to explore our full range of options, speak with our team for tailored recommendations, and even schedule a test drive to experience how our vehicles perform before making a decision. 

Contact us today to find the ideal EV solution for your business.