It may be robust to be an EV driver for those who don’t know a lot about EVs. Listed here are a number of the terrible (however very avoidable) issues {that a} novice EV driver can do flawed:
- Overcharging the battery: EV drivers who overcharge their automobile’s batteries can scale back their battery life and harm the automobile’s electrical techniques. So, it’s a good suggestion to cost to 75-90% when attainable.
- Operating out of battery: New EV drivers might not have a transparent understanding of the vary of their automobile and may find yourself stranded once they run out of energy.
- Trusting the onboard vary estimator: The vary estimate displayed by an EV’s onboard pc may be influenced by a number of components, reminiscent of driving habits, climate, and terrain. Relying solely on these estimates can result in working out unexpectedly.
- Not planning their routes: Not like petrol-powered automobiles, it’s not at all times simple to discover a charging station on the final minute. EV drivers must plan their routes earlier than getting down to guarantee they’ve sufficient energy to succeed in their vacation spot. Moreover, components like terrain and pace have to be thought of in route planning (normally by software program) to keep away from issues.
- Utilizing inefficient charging stations: Not all charging stations are the identical. Utilizing a Degree 2 charging station on a street journey can decelerate the charging course of and end in pointless delays. Some EV infotainment techniques aren’t programmed to ship you to the quickest charging stations.
Educating new EV drivers about these key components may help them turn out to be extra knowledgeable and assured drivers, which may make sure the success of their transition to electrical autos, and the success of the trade at giant. So, it’s good to see some current bulletins by Kia America about its instructional efforts.
Occasion-Based mostly Schooling
A method Kia America goes to step up its instructional efforts is by making a comeback to Electrify Expo, a nationwide tour that brings collectively trade leaders to debate the way forward for mobility. On Might 19, the tour will kick off in Lengthy Seaside, California, the place attendees can check drive Kia’s award-winning EV6 and GT fashions, together with the extremely accoladed Niro EV. Furthermore, attendees will get a glimpse of Kia’s first absolutely devoted three-row EV SUV, the all-new EV9. Kia is happy to exhibit its revolutionary electrical autos at 5 Electrify Expo 2023 occasions in Lengthy Seaside, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, and Miami.
“Electrify Expo is the premiere gathering for prime corporations and executives in electrification to share data and focus on how we’ll proceed to work towards a seamless transition to all-electrified autos,” stated Steven Heart, COO & EVP, Kia America. “The 2022 Electrify Expo occasions had been invaluable for our crew to study extra about shopper attitudes towards electrification. We stay up for collaborating with our trade colleagues to assist chart the perfect path ahead and form the way forward for the automotive trade.”
Business leaders and attendees alike will converge to debate essential matters related to the electrical automobile trade. Attendees can anticipate to dive into legislative considerations surrounding EVs, reminiscent of vary nervousness and sustainability, charging infrastructures, provide chain obstacles, in addition to the way forward for autonomous driving. For extra info and an entire record of periods and presenters, please go to www.electrifyexpo.com.
Video Sequence
One other means Kia has stepped up on schooling is its new EV Schooling 101 video sequence. The sequence breaks down widespread EV possession matters, like charging infrastructure, expertise, vary, maximizing battery life, terminology, and even planning street journeys. Kia’s purpose is to make EV possession a straightforward, stress-free and fulfilling expertise for all.
Let’s check out the sequence!
One actually good factor the Kia crew begins with is the very fundamentals of what an EV even is, together with the way it differs from hybrids and plugin hybrids. Whereas manufacturers like Toyota have performed video games with “Self Charging” EVs prior to now, Kia is making an attempt to be absolutely trustworthy right here, so individuals will know what they’re moving into.
Additionally they get into fundamental EV phrases, like vary. Once more, these are the very fundamentals that some individuals won’t perceive.
In one other video, they get into the fundamentals of charging. They begin with the degrees of EV charging, and so they classify them in accordance with the SAE system (Degree 1, Degree 2, and DCFC). They get into the significance of setting charging occasions, and the significance of planning forward. They point out that you just may want completely different apps to cost at completely different stations. Whereas it’s a bit iffy to incorporate this, they clarify that regenerative braking is a type of charging.
A number of different movies go deeper into house charging, public charging, and the physics of battery packs.
One factor I wished to ensure they lined was a number of the EV charging etiquette at public stations. After explaining easy methods to discover stations and be prepared to make use of them, they bought into easy methods to begin a cost session, however they didn’t clarify vital issues like selecting an applicable stall or not charging absolutely to 100% until you really want to take action.
Journey planning is one other space the place I feel they actually dropped the ball. They did point out that baggage and weight can scale back vary, however failed to say the attainable results of terrain, speeds, and climate. They made it sound like you possibly can simply discover stations alongside your route, which may go away individuals pondering you possibly can truly go 310 miles in one of many Kia EVs they present.
Total, I feel this was an important first effort, nevertheless it left some key instructional issues out that would get EV drivers into bother and inconvenience different drivers who assume they’ve discovered all that they should know. So, as EV advocates, we’re going to must sustain our instructional efforts!
It’s additionally in all probability a good suggestion for us to maintain reaching out to producers and sellers to ensure they aren’t leaving vital issues out for brand new driver coaching. They may be afraid of overwhelming new drivers with an excessive amount of info or making EVs sound too onerous, however leaving vital issues out results in poor expectations that would hinder their efforts regardless.
Featured picture offered by Kia.
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