How to drive an electric car: everything you need to know
If you’ve never driven an electric car, you might wonder if it will feel different from a traditional fuel-powered vehicle. We explain in our EV driving guide
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While driving an electric vehicle (EV) for the first time might seem like a big jump, the truth is they can actually be easier to drive than fuel-powered vehicles.
Once you know the basics of how to drive an electric car, you’ll have nothing to fear. Follow our guide to get to grips with EV driving.
How to drive an electric car
The process of getting on the road in an electric car will differ slightly depending on the model, but we’re yet to get in the driver’s seat of an EV that felt complicated.
You’ll usually need to follow a few easy steps:
Hop in your EV and set up your driving position and mirrors
Press the power button that’s usually placed on the dashboard to turn the car on
Use the gearstick (or the equivalent in your car) to select ‘Drive’
That’s pretty much it – it's as simple as driving an automatic vehicle, and you won't have gears to think about while you’re on the move either.
Not all EVs have the traditional gearstick – some have different options like a rotary dial. These work in the same way – you just need to twist the dial to select gears instead of moving a lever.
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In what ways is it different from a traditional fuel-powered vehicle?
Driving an electric car is usually a smoother and quieter experience than driving a petrol or diesel model with an internal combustion engine (ICE).
While driving an EV will feel like driving an automatic car, there’s one main difference – electric vehicles don’t have gears. This has a key benefit in that as soon as you put your foot down, you’ll get instant power without waiting for the gears to engage.
The instant torque is tempting for many motorists who like to be quick off the line. It’s especially impressive in models like the Porsche Taycan, which can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds, and the Tesla Model S, which is capable of 0-62mph in 1.99 seconds.
When it comes to slowing down in your EV, your battery will actually be topped up when you begin to brake. Regenerative braking allows the car’s battery to be recharged when you take your foot off the accelerator or press the brake.
Regenerative braking works by reversing the electric motors that get the car moving and feeds the energy into the electric system. This small boost can help to keep your battery topped up, unlike burning through fuel in an ICE model.
The lack of noise is also different to fuel-powered cars, as EVs have a sound system to warn pedestrians that the vehicle is approaching. This sound system became mandatory under EU legislation in July 2019.
The benefits of driving an electric car and things to consider
Switching to an EV can seem daunting and there are plenty of things you might want to consider, but there are definitely benefits to electric driving.
Benefits of driving an EV
Electric cars are better for the environment as they produce zero emissions while you drive
EVs are easier to drive and feel similar to automatic cars
Instant torque means EVs are quick off the line and speedy even in standard models
EVs are cheaper to run and maintain thanks to the lack of oily engine parts that come with ICEs
You can charge your EV for free at some locations, but charging isn’t usually expensive if you choose to plug in at home
The quiet electric motor and lack of engine makes for a quiet and clean drive
Things to consider when driving an EV
While you won't produce exhaust emissions, the manufacturing process for EVs can still have an impact on the environment
You won’t have the traditional driving experience that comes with fuel-powered cars – a downfall for many petrolheads
You’ll need to plan ahead and know where you can charge, especially on longer journeys
Extreme weather conditions like high temperatures can cause your EV battery to need longer to charge, or even overheat
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What else do I need to know?
Adjusting to an EV will likely be a simple and straightforward process for most motorists, with the biggest learning curve being getting used to charging up.
Adopting the mindset of planning ahead on your journeys will help. Just like you needed to know the local petrol stations with your ICE car, now you’ll need to know where the best charging points are.
You won’t feel too much of a difference when it comes to getting on the road. Your drive will be quieter, feel cleaner and you’ll get to avoid handling gears.
You might also find that your EV feels heavier and more stable – this is due to the extra weight from the additional battery. On corners in particular, the extra weight will keep you firmly planted and makes for a more secure drive.
The main hurdle you’ll face when switching to an EV is leaving behind the concept of fuel-powered cars. For many of us, this is all we’ve known our entire lives and can feel like a big jump.