10 Tips For Driving An Electric Car For The First Time

What Should You Know Before Charging Up Your Ride?

Planning on transitioning to an electric vehicle? There’s plenty to love about ditching the gas stations, but driving an EV is a unique experience on its own. No need to worry though, as we’ll walk you through our top EV driving tips to help you get a head start on your cruises. Also, visit us today at Wesley Chapel Nissan near Land O’ Lakes, FL, and test drive the 2023 Nissan LEAF or pre-order the Nissan ARIYA.

All In The (Range) Numbers…And They’re Bigger Than They Seem

One of the top worries when switching to an EV involves the range. However, before you obsess over the mileage and when to recharge, remember, you usually won’t drive more than 200 miles in a single trip—so it’s unlikely you’ll need to charge more than a couple times a week if you mostly commute in your electric cruiser.

Change Up Your Night Routine: Check Your Charge

As a safe measure, you’ll want to check your remaining charge before going to bed. After all, most at-home chargers will take all night to top off your power source, so you’ll want to make sure you’re ready to go by morning.

Don’t Panic…You Have Options When Your Charge Is Low

It’s easy to freak out if you notice your power levels dropping while you’re on the go. However, you can always use a public DC Fast Charge station to top off your battery—or at least top off a hefty chunk in roughly 30 minutes—perfect timing to grab a few groceries or run errands while you wait.

Get Strategic: Plan Your Morning Route

Whether you’re commuting to the office or cruising to the opposite corner of the state, you’ll want to plan your route to include charging stations along the way—just in case your charge runs low unexpectedly.

Levels To Your Charges: Know The Charger Types

With an EV, you get three types of charges—Level 1 is your three-prong outlet that you’ll usually use when you’re out and not near public charging or your house charger. A Level 2 charger is usually what you’ll install at home, and usually allows you to top off your battery overnight. For the fastest charge, a Level 3 charger is found in public and can usually add substantial chunks of power back to your battery in as little as 30 minutes.

Know The Costs…Still Cheaper Than Gas

Even though you won’t need to visit gas stations, be prepared to pay at public charging stations. Thankfully, getting to a full battery usually costs between $10-$30, which is far less money than refueling at the petrol tanks.

An Instant Rush: Pure Exhilaration Can Be Surprising

Since EVs don’t need to rev, you’ll blast off with instant torque when your foot pushes the accelerator pedal to the floor. So, don’t be surprised by the quick burst of speed—and get used to making those yellow lights on time when you’re cruising at a city pace.

Smooth And Steady: That EV Way

Because you’re cruising with a single-speed transmission you won’t feel your vehicle shifting as you speed up. At first, this sensation can feel strange, but after a while, you’ll learn to enjoy the smooth ride.

Get Ready For A Quiet Ride

Keep in mind that EVs produce virtually no engine noise, which can feel nice at quicker speeds. However, at low residential speeds, be on the lookout for pedestrians, as they might not be aware of your ride without exhaust sounds.

The Best Tip: An EV Awaits You Near Odessa, FL

Eager to hit the road in a Nissan electric vehicle? Visit Wesley Chapel Nissan and test drive the 2023 Nissan LEAF or pre-order the Nissan ARIYA for a contemporary SUV. We’re also here to cover your needs, so let us know if you want to know more about driving an electric vehicle or if you have questions—it’s the start of how we put you first.