What can EV driving modes do for you?

Eco to sports – the driving modes that can up your EV game

If you’re contemplating your first switch to electric car or are new to the EV world, you might already know that when it comes to electric cars, you get to pick between an EV or hybrid. (Here’s a handy article we wrote on the five main differences between them.) Did you also know that, depending on their make and model, you can switch between different modes in an EV, depending on your circumstances? That’s right – you can adjust your settings for your preferred type of driving – and that’s pretty good to know before your first electric car investment. Read on.

1. Eco mode

The clue’s in the name. An EV in this mode makes tweaks and adjustments as you drive to conserve your battery power – in other words, it’s economical with energy. Clever! While it might reduce your acceleration and throttle response – you might speed up a little slower – this could be offset by peace of mind around your battery range. You might choose this for everyday commuting, busy days with little time to charge, or those longer drives when you want to max out your EV’s efficiency.

2. Sports mode

This mode is almost the exact opposite of Eco. Want a bit of oomph to your drive? Like a quicker, powerful acceleration? Switch into Sports mode. When your EV’s in this mode it will prioritise performance over energy efficiency, so you’ll enjoy faster acceleration and overall driving zippiness on the road. This mode can use up more of your battery than usual, so consider shorter bursts of it.

3. Normal mode

Like a sweet spot right between the clever efficiency of Eco and the pep of Sports. Normal mode is anything but humdrum – it cleverly strikes a balance between efficiency and performance without prioritizing either, which makes it an easy default mode for everyday driving when you don’t need to choose between power and speed or conserving energy.

4. Regenerative braking mode

Facing a journey with lots of stops and starts, like a morning commute into a city? Make the most out of your braking with regenerative braking mode, which takes the energy caused by your braking and puts it right back into your battery to extend your range. Some EVs let you customise your regenerative braking settings to suit your own preferences and driving conditions, so it’s worth double checking before you buy.

5. Customizable modes

Like the sound of all the above? Don’t like the thought of having to pick one over the other? You may not have to. Some EVs have features where you can fine-tune and adjust settings such as throttle response, regenerative braking intensity, and power output according to your own driving preferences. It might take a bit of forethought, but the extra effort could pay off if it enhances both your range, feel, and performance. Win win.

Hopefully this has been helpful for your electric car research. And whether you opt for an EV or a plug-in hybrid, remember you can charge both with bp pulse.

Plus, with plenty of our chargers near handy places to eat, enjoy a coffee or take a break, you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to think about which mode you’re going to try next. Why not download our free bp pulse app to see where you’ll find us? Happy travels.