Top electric car tips for long journeys and motorways

If you’re thinking about making the move to an electric car but are put off by the idea that life behind the wheel will be totally different to a petrol or diesel car, don’t worry. In many ways, driving an EV like the all-electric Nissan LEAF is even easier and more fun.

Lots of UK drivers are already enjoying the benefits of having gone electric, and they’ve got a plenty of helpful advice to pass on to the next crop of electric car owners. That’s why we’ve recruited a select pack of Nissan LEAF owners from our What Car? audience and asked them to share their top EV tips and tricks.

One of the big questions on people’s minds with electric cars is about driving long distances and on motorways – whether it’s range anxiety or knowing how to drive an EV more efficiently. Our panel of Nissan LEAF owners have the answers. They’ve also got lots of tips on home charging, on-the-go charging and city driving, too.

To find out more about the Nissan LEAF, head to nissan.co.uk/leaf

Meet our panel of Nissan LEAF owners

Gareth from Staffordshire has owned three electric cars. His favourite aspect of the Nissan LEAF is its “stupidly-cheap running costs”.

Christine from Fife has owned her Nissan LEAF for three years and loves the punchy performance and everyday usability.

Tony from Yorkshire has just bought a new Nissan LEAF, having owned a first-gen LEAF for three years. Equipment and comfort are his stand-out features.

Andy and his wife have owned their Nissan LEAF for a few months. Andy says the electric torque is “addictive” while the running costs are a huge positive.

Be confident about your range

When it comes to driving an electric car, confidence is everything. Lots of EV novices worry about range anxiety. But, with a choice of a 40kWH Nissan LEAF which offers 168 miles of all-electric range and a 62kWH LEAF e+ models which offer an even more impressive 239 miles, you can travel further than you think^[1]. Equally, the Nissan LEAF’s impressive in-car technology is there to lend a helping hand.

Gareth, who has owned EVs for the best part of three years, has plenty of tips for making the most of your mileage. “There are loads of in-car features on the Nissan LEAF that can help you extend your range,” says Gareth. “The LEAF’s B Mode and ECO Mode, in particular, are great. You should definitely use them.”

The Nissan LEAF’s B Mode enhances regenerative braking, recovering more energy and storing it for later use. That’s ideal for motorways – especially if you get stuck in stop-start traffic. ECO Mode boosts efficiency by subtly limiting the electric motor’s output, while also increasing the regenerative braking.

The Nissan LEAF also uses an e-Pedal to deliver true one-pedal driving through the accelerator – providing extra regenerative braking force from the motor as you lift off to slow the car.^[2] It eliminates the energy inefficient process of constantly jumping from the accelerator to the brake and back, and – working with B Mode and ECO Mode – actually pumps more energy back into the battery. Win-win.

“Every car should be fitted with an e-Pedal” says Gareth, “it’s fantastically easy to use and really helps with your motorway efficiency. I use it all the time.”

Equally, preheating the LEAF’s interior via the NissanConnect smartphone app^[3] while the car is still plugged in and charging can play a big part in preserving long-distance range. “The ability to pre-heat the Nissan LEAF is fantastic,” says Gareth. “It means the car is in optimum condition to drive from the moment you get in, which in turn helps preserve your range”.

What if I need to stop for a charge on the way?

That’s a big topic – entirely deserving of its own article. Luckily, our What Car? panel of Nissan LEAF owners have plenty of tips for on-the-go charging. But, in short, it’s much easier than you think to ‘graze’ for short and fast boosts of range. “Unlike what many people think, you don’t spend your life waiting for EVs to charge,” says Gareth. “You get what you need and go. It makes the Nissan LEAF so easy to live with.

Enjoy the punchy performance

Think an electric car is going to be dull to drive? Think again. Nissan LEAF e+ models have an impressive 217PS and 340Nm of instant electric torque, delivering 0-62mph in just 6.9sec (around 3sec faster than most family hatchbacks). This impressive mid-range acceleration makes it a breeze to cruise and (when appropriate and safe to do so) overtake on motorways.

The Nissan LEAF’s performance is a real highlight for Christine: “The LEAF really can go like the clappers when you want it to,” she says. “It’s fantastic for overtaking and short bursts of power when needed.”

Use the driving tech to your advantage

The Nissan LEAF comes with a wealth of driving aids that are perfect for A-roads and motorways – including Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control and ProPILOT^[2]. Working with the e-Pedal, ECO Mode and B Mode, they help to keep you safer, help to make driving less stressful and extend your range too. Our Nissan LEAF owners say, use them whenever you can.

“Driving on the motorway in my LEAF is extremely intuitive” says Andy, who regularly commutes hundreds of miles a week. “ProPILOT is great. As it controls your speed, and you’re not constantly on and off the accelerator. Not only does it make motorway driving easier, but also helps preserve range. Simply set your speed and distance from the car in front, and the LEAF will do the rest.”^[2]

In fact, Nissan’s ProPILOT technology not only maintains your speed and distance from the car in front – it can also bring the car to a complete stop in traffic and bring the car back up to speed once things get going again. “The e-Pedal is great too”, says Andy. “It means that in flowing traffic you hardly ever have to use the brake. But, thanks to the e-Pedal, I still benefit as the motor recovers lost energy.”

Conquering bad weather

In cold and wet winter weather, electric cars will lose range slightly faster than in normal spring and summer conditions – especially when on the motorway. To tackle this, both Christine and Gareth suggest taking a more relaxed driving approach. After all, it’s better to get to your destination more energy-efficiently at a consistent speed, or anticipating and planning around a quick top-up.

“In those conditions, speed is not your friend” says Gareth. “Take it easy and drop to a more efficient 60-65mph if it’s safe to do so, in order to help negate the effects of the weather on your range.”

“You need to be aware that bad weather can affect your range” says Christine. “So if you’re doing a long journey, perhaps factor in an extra charging stop”.

Remember, if you want tips on home charging, on-the-go charging and city driving, we’ve got lots more advice from our Nissan LEAF drivers online.

To find out more about the Nissan LEAF, head to nissan.co.uk/leaf

[1] Laminated lithium-ion 40kWh battery with 168 miles range and e+ 62kWh battery with 239 miles range. WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors such as the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.

[2] Nissan Intelligent Mobility, ProPILOT and e-Pedal features are standard or optional on selected Nissan LEAF models and grades. It is your responsibility to stay alert, drive safely and be in control of the vehicle at all times. Driver assist features have speed and other limitations and should not be relied on. For more information, visit www.nissan.co.uk

[3] NissanConnect requires a smartphone with compatible IOS or Android operating system. Connecting a mobile phone to NissanConnect should only be done when the car is parked safely and in accordance with the rules of the Highway Code. To use NissanConnect Services you need a smartphone with compatible iOS or Android operating system and a SIM card with data option from a mobile service provider. Services subject to mobile network coverage. NissanConnect services available from an additional charge on subscription after the third year. For further information, please visit www.nissan.co.uk or contact your local Nissan Dealer.