Are New Energy Vehicles Energy-Efficient on Highways?
3 Answers
New energy vehicles tend to consume more electricity when driving on highways. Below is detailed information about new energy vehicles: 1. Overview: New energy vehicles refer to automobiles that utilize unconventional vehicle fuels as power sources (or use conventional vehicle fuels with new types of onboard power devices), integrating advanced technologies in vehicle power control and driving, resulting in vehicles with advanced technical principles, new technologies, and novel structures. 2. Others: New energy vehicles include pure electric vehicles, extended-range electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, hydrogen engine vehicles, etc. Pure electric vehicles are a type of vehicle that uses a single battery as the energy storage power source.
I've been driving a new energy vehicle for a few years and noticed that it's not energy-efficient on highways; in fact, it consumes more power. The reason is simple: at high speeds, wind resistance increases significantly, just like running against the wind makes it harder. Electric motors are efficient at low speeds, but at high speeds, the wind resistance is too great, and tire friction is also high, causing energy consumption to soar. Compared to stop-and-go city driving, steady highway driving offers fewer opportunities for kinetic energy recovery. Turning on the air conditioning or heater makes it worse, draining the battery even faster. It's recommended to maintain a speed of around 90-100 km/h on highways for optimal efficiency, and to regularly check tire pressure to avoid increased energy consumption due to low pressure. Plan charging stops before trips to avoid range anxiety—after all, no one wants to be towed halfway.
Last week, I drove a long-distance highway trip, and the range dropped rapidly. In the city, it could go 350 kilometers, but on the highway, it might end around 280. Wind resistance is the main reason—strong winds on the highway cause the battery to output more energy for propulsion. Electric vehicles rely on deceleration to recover energy in the city, but on the highway, there are no traffic lights, reducing this energy-saving advantage. I’m used to using navigation apps to find service areas for charging in advance to save time. Weather also has a big impact: in summer, air conditioning drains the battery quickly, and in winter, heating is equally power-hungry. Beginners on the highway should maintain a constant speed, avoid sudden acceleration and braking, to extend the driving range.
