Electric car range

Battery electric vehicles, like petrol cars, are sensitive to temperature. For example, rolling resistance and air drag are often higher in colder temperatures. Headwind and water or snow on the road surface can also increase energy consumption in your electric car, therefore affecting range. More energy is used to warm or cool the cabin, as well as to maintain battery performance in colder temperatures, which can also result in a shorter range.

• Precondition your vehicle: Precondition your car while it’s still charging to warm or cool the cabin and battery without using stored energy. This helps make sure both the cabin and battery are at optimal temperatures before you head out. 

• Turn down the cabin temperature: A few degrees cooler cabin temperature with activated seat and steering wheel heating can help improve range in cold conditions without compromising comfort. Turning the AC off altogether when it’s not needed also helps conserve energy.

Driving at steady speeds is beneficial in terms of energy consumption. Aggressive driving in stop-and-go traffic in the city or high-speed highway driving can both use more energy.

• Drive smoothly: A steadier drive means less braking, and less braking means reduced energy losses. Letting your vehicle coast to decrease its speed is the ideal way to optimise your car’s range and avoid energy loss. When braking is necessary, regenerative braking helps recover energy when you slow down. On the highway, try to drive at a consistent speed and use cruise control when possible.

Your EV performs best when the battery is charged and healthy. Driving with a very low battery can sometimes lead to reduced acceleration performance.

• Regular charging: Aim to keep your battery charged¹ and avoid letting it drop to very low levels, especially in cold weather conditions. It’s also a good idea to avoid parking your car for an extended period at very low charge level, for example when leaving for a vacation.

• Monitor battery health: Regularly check your battery’s condition with a car professional, and keep up with maintenance.

• Keep your battery in good condition: Avoid exposing your car’s battery to elevated temperatures whenever possible (>35°C). It’s a good idea to avoid parking in direct sun in hot climates, for example. Excessive rapid charging can also lead to faster battery degradation, so it’s good to use rapid charging when it’s really needed.

Each of our fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars is designed differently. Things like weight, battery size and aerodynamics all play a role in how far you can go.

• Choose the right model for your lifestyle: Use our range comparison tool to find the model that best fits your life – whether that means shorter city trips or regular weekend escapes.

More weight means more work for your car, and that uses more energy. Roof boxes or caravans can also add wind resistance.

• Pack smart and plan accordingly: Remove roof and bike racks when you’re not using them, and plan a few extra charging stops if you're towing an extra heavy load. Our smart towbar cargo boxes can help reduce drag when you’re on the road.

Under-inflated tyres can reduce your car’s efficiency. It’s also important to regularly get your tyres checked by a car care professional and ensure that they’re properly installed.

• Maintain proper tyre pressure: Check your car’s tyres to monitor for pressure, especially if you’ve got a long journey ahead. Make sure you’re using the right tyres for the right season and driving conditions.

Like all vehicles, petrol ones included, electric cars use more energy in colder conditions. While range may decrease, it’s still more than enough for typical daily driving. In fact, EVs are often easier to start in cold weather than petrol cars, and many of our electric cars can be preheated while still plugged in. So you step into comfort without using extra battery power.

With route planning via built-in Google Maps, your Volvo can pre-condition the battery and help guide you to a compatible fast charger, so you arrive ready to charge at the optimal speed. This helps reduce charging time and makes long journeys feel just as effortless as they should.

Volvo drivers have access to hundreds of thousands of public charging points around the world through the Volvo Public Charging Service, making it easier to stay powered wherever you go. And with a home wallbox, you can wake up with enough range to take on the day ahead.

You don’t always need to keep your EV fully charged. Volvo electric cars can be driven confidently at less-than-full battery levels, and unlike petrol engines, performance reduces gradually, giving you more control, not less. In fact, EVs tend to be more predictable and easier to manage as they approach empty than traditional petrol cars. And when fast charging, it's often more efficient to charge up to 80% rather than 100%. Not only does this save time, but it also helps keep charging stations available for other drivers.