Living With an EV - What I've Learned

Despite spending my working life around cars, I was a fairly late convert to electric vehicles. Some early EVs reinforced my concerns, particularly around limited range. Having now spent time driving and living with them, there are several things that have genuinely surprised me.

The Silence

It is the first thing most people notice. Pulling away with virtually no engine noise, vibration or gear changes makes an EV exceptionally smooth and relaxing, particularly around town.

The Acceleration

The instant response can be extraordinary. The novelty wears off, but the ability to respond immediately when joining a busy road, entering a roundabout or getting out of a tight situation remains genuinely useful.

Regenerative Braking

It takes a little getting used to, but once you learn to anticipate the road and make proper use of regeneration, it becomes very natural. In some cars you can do a surprising amount of normal driving with very little use of the brake pedal.

Technology and Comfort

Many EVs offer sophisticated collision avoidance, lane assistance, cameras, navigation and other driver aids. One feature that is easy to underestimate is preconditioning: getting into a warm car in winter or a cool one in summer, often while the car is still plugged in.

Long Journeys

Long-distance EV driving requires a little more planning. Range anxiety tends to reduce as you learn the car and plan charging stops ahead. Motorway rapid charging is convenient but can be expensive, and charging apps can often help you find alternatives a short distance away.

Different doesn't necessarily mean difficult. Many of the things I worried about before living with an EV became much less important once I understood how to use the car differently.