7 EV mistakes that are costing you range (and how to fix them)

Did you know that some of the most common driving habits could be reducing your EV range without you even realising it?

The good news is that you don’t need to change the way you drive completely. A few small tweaks to your charging routine, driving style and everyday habits can help you get more miles from every charge while looking after your battery at the same time.

⚡ Quick summary

Short on time? Here are the seven biggest EV mistakes that could be reducing your range:

Read on to find out why each one matters—and how a few simple changes can help you get more from every charge.

7 common mistakes EV drivers make (and how to fix them). 

Here are seven common mistakes many EV drivers make – and the simple fixes that’ll help you go further.

1. Charging to 100% every day

❌ The mistake

Charging your car to 100% every day isn’t normally necessary and can reduce long-term battery health.

✅ Do this instead

Set a charging limit. Keep the battery between around 20% and 80% for everyday driving, you can top up at home or along the way where needed. This will help preserve long-term battery health and help you get more from every charge.

2. Ignoring regenerative braking

❌ The mistake

Many EV drivers don’t use stronger regenerative braking settings or one-pedal driving.

✅ Do this instead

Discover how regenerative braking works. If you’ve never used it before, it’s worth spending a few minutes learning how it works. Once you’ve got used to it, you’ll recover more energy, reduce brake wear and make your driving smoother. It’s a game-changer for EV driving!

3. Not preconditioning the car

❌ The mistake

Did you know that preconditioning the car whilst plugged in can save a significant amount of battery power?

Running the air conditioning at full blast or using heated seats throughout a long journey can use more battery than you might expect. Many drivers don’t realise they can avoid this simply by preconditioning the car before setting off.

✅ Do this instead

Precondition your car to warm or cool the cabin while it’s still plugged in, so the battery doesn’t have to do all the work once you’ve set off.  You’ll start your journey with a comfortable cabin while preserving more energy for driving – win-win!

4. Driving like it’s a petrol car

❌ The mistake

Trust us, we get it – instant torque is one of the best things about driving an EV, and it’s tempting to enjoy it every time you pull away. However, hard acceleration and heavy braking use much more energy than smooth driving.

✅ Do this instead

Accelerate more smoothly and anticipate what’s ahead to help you travel further. Gentle inputs help every kWh go further, and EVs reward smooth, progressive driving.

You don’t need to rag it – just enjoy the quiet, smooth ride and that electrifying feeling.

5. Letting range anxiety control every journey

❌ The mistake

Range anxiety is completely normal, especially when you’re getting behind the wheel of an EV for the first time. But most UK drivers travel well within the range of a modern EV each day, so don’t let it take over every journey.

✅ Do this instead

Plan ahead. Use charging apps such as ZapMap or your EV’s built-in navigation to find nearby charge points. Many modern EVs will even plan charging stops for you and let you know when it’s time to recharge.

The more you drive, the more your confidence will grow.

6. Forgetting tyre pressures and maintenance

❌ The mistake

Especially if you’ve got a Tusker salary sacrifice car, where servicing and maintenance are included, it’s easy to forget to book everything in. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, meaning your battery has to work harder and, in turn, your range is reduced.

✅ Do this instead

Check your tyre pressures regularly and set yourself a reminder a month before your service or MOT is due so you can get it booked in with your local garage. If you’re passing a petrol station or supermarket with an air machine, it’s worth checking your tyres and inflating them to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

If you have a Tusker car, take a look at the video below to see just how easy it is to book your servicing and maintenance.

7. Not learning the car’s features

❌ The mistake

This one doesn’t just affect your range – you could also miss out on all the fantastic features your EV has to offer! Eco mode, scheduled charging, charging limits, battery preconditioning and navigation with charging routing are often overlooked but can all make a noticeable difference.

✅ Do this instead

Explore your car’s features through your manufacturer’s app, YouTube walkthroughs and the owner’s handbook. They’re all great places to discover features you might not know about.

If you prefer quick videos, TikTok can also be a great place to pick up useful tips and hidden features from other EV drivers.

We’ve also got a range of articles covering many of the cars available through Tusker on our Knowledge Hub, so it’s always worth searching to see if your car has been featured.

Small changes, big difference

Getting the most from an electric car isn’t about changing everything overnight. In most cases, a few simple habits are all it takes to boost your efficiency, preserve your battery and make every charge go a little further.

Whether you’re new to EV driving or you’ve already covered thousands of electric miles, these tips will help you drive with more confidence and get the very best from your car.

Looking for more EV advice? Visit the Tusker Knowledge Hub for guides, driving tips and the latest news from the world of electric cars.