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Andrew Leech
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Top 5 Ways to Care for Your EV
Did you know National Avocado Day is a thing? Did you know it’s on the 31st of August? We could all learn a thing or two from avocados, like staying fresh under pressure. Or, we can simply try to be as green as they are.
This year, we’re giving this highly anticipated day a twist, so let’s jump into it: Avocado Day? More like Have-a-Car-Do Day! (Don’t say you don’t love our puns). It’s a time to celebrate the cars that do more, cost less to run, and take better care of the planet.
And just like you’d care for your avocado toast, your electric vehicle (EV) deserves some love too. Here are five easy ways to give your EV a little TLC:
1. Drive smoothly and save your tyres
Your driving habits have a huge impact on how well your EV holds up over time, especially when it comes to your tyres. While electric vehicles often wear through tyres faster than petrol or diesel cars due to their extra weight and instant torque, this doesn’t have to be a problem.
Gentle acceleration, slower cornering, and braking in advance all help preserve your tyres and reduce wear. Regularly checking your tyre pressure is also essential, particularly if you carry heavy loads or do a lot of motorway driving. Keeping to the speed limit not only improves safety but also gives your tyres (and wallet) a much easier ride.
2. Take care of your battery – it’s the pit of the car
Your EV battery is the single most important (and valuable) component, so it’s worth treating it with care. All EV batteries degrade over time, but small habits can make a big difference to how long yours lasts. Avoid charging to 100% daily unless absolutely necessary, aim for 80–90% for regular use.
You also want to keep it above 10% battery, try not to let it run below this. Where possible, park in the shade or a garage during extreme temperatures to avoid overheating or overcooling. And if something doesn’t feel right, don’t poke around yourself; always head to a qualified EV service centre. Think of the battery like the pit of the avocado. The hard centre you don’t really know what does, and you don’t really want to mess with it.
3. Use regenerative braking to your advantage
Regenerative braking is one of those clever EV features that not only helps your battery but also preserves your brakes. When you lift your foot off the accelerator, your car slows down while capturing energy and feeding it back into the battery. This means less reliance on your brake pads and discs, less wear, and fewer trips to the garage for replacements.
Driving with regeneration in mind takes a bit of getting used to. But once it clicks, you’re onto a winner. You’ll find yourself anticipating traffic more, keeping a better distance, you’ll feel like a seasoned chauffeur, gliding to a slow and smooth halt. It’s oddly satisfying.
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4. Check the coolant system (yes, EVs need it too)
It might surprise some drivers to learn that many EVs still rely on coolant systems, especially when it comes to battery and motor temperature management. While you don’t need to check the oil anymore, keeping an eye on your coolant is still important.
A neglected coolant system can lead to your EV’s battery overheating, and that’s not just bad for performance. Overheating can reduce battery lifespan and, in some cases, cause serious damage. If the car feels unusually warm or shows a thermal warning, don’t ignore it – it’s not just having a strop. Luckily, coolant levels and system health will be checked as part of your regular service anyway.
5. Stay updated, literally
Electric vehicles are essentially computers on wheels. And just like your laptop or smartphone, they benefit from regular software updates. These updates can include everything from efficiency improvements and new features to security patches and bug fixes.
Most modern EVs download these automatically, but it’s worth checking you’ve enabled updates and connected your car to Wi-Fi when parked. Some updates can even improve your battery range or enhance charging speed. No idea how that works, it must be magic.
Keeping your software up to date ensures your EV is performing at its best, and you won’t be the one still running last year’s version of the future.
So, whether it’s your tyres, battery, brakes or coolant, taking small steps to care for your EV can help it run better for longer, saving you time, money and unexpected hassle. And with most checks covered during your regular service, it’s more a case of staying mindful than becoming a full-time mechanic. Just like a good avocado, your EV doesn’t need much to stay in great shape: just the right conditions and a little care now and then.
In the spirit of Have-a-Car-Do Day, why not give your electric car a once-over? After all, keeping your EV green and healthy might just be easier than picking the perfect avocado.
Or if you don’t have an EV yet, why not take a look? You might just find your perfect avocado on wheels.
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