'I'm an EV expert and you should never make these common mistakes'

An industry insider has a warned Brit electric vehicle (EV) owners against making these standard slip-ups, or run the risk costly repairs, frustrating holdups and wasted time.

EVs are firmly on the rise on UK roads. There already more than 1.3 million as of 2025, with figures predicted to skyrocket to between seven and 11 million within the next five years, according to the government.

With incentives to help steer drivers away from polluting petrol and diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, such as the £3,750 electric car grant, there are more reasons than ever before to make to switchover to cleaner, greener transport.

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The benefits of owning an EV can include lower running costs and maintenance bills, as well as tax exemptions and lower emissions. But an expert has opened up about the five most common mistakes of EV ownership.

Director of operations at Dayinsure, Nicholas Shaw, said: "By avoiding these common mistakes, EV drivers will ensure much smoother journeys, fewer delays and will be at a lower of a risk of needing repairs. These are simple to follow and require a few simple changes to the way you drive, use your vehicle and plan."

5. Overcharging and over-draining your battery

Modern EVs feature built in Battery Management Systems (BMS) to prevent overcharging your battery, but drivers should be aware that charging to 100 per cent can accelerate battery wear over time. Also, allowing your battery to hit zero per cent can lead to under voltage — when the battery's charge is depleted too much, causing the voltage level to fall below what is needed for proper operation. Going to 100 per cent on occasion is okay, but for the health of your battery it is best to keep it charged to between 20 and 80 per cent to preserve its longevity.

4. Overestimating range

Overconfidence in your dashboard's range estimate is another common pitfall. Many new EV drivers take that number as gospel, but it fluctuates depending on road conditions, the weather, your driving style and how much you're carrying in the boot.

Run it too close to the edge and you could end up stranded or desperately hunting for the nearest charger. So it is essential to slightly underestimate the car's range and leave enough room for charging stops.

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3. Bad driving habits

Just like ICE vehicles, poor driving habits can lead to a whole host of issues further down the road for your EV. So it is essential to understand that driving properly now will benefit you in the future. Rapid acceleration and harsh braking put unnecessary strain on tan EV's motor and battery, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced efficiency. Expert Nicholas advises a steady, gentle approach for better mileage and longevity.

2. Not utilising an EV's features

Many miss out on what their electric car can actually do. Features like regenerative braking make every stop count, turning lost heat back into useful power. Many EV drivers ignore these, often from confusion or lack of awareness, but fully understanding your vehicle's features can you use your car “much more efficiently and effectively every day”, according to Nicholas.

1. Poor route planning

Longer trips require careful planning. Despite growing numbers of public chargers, with over 75,000 across the UK already and plans for this number to triple by 2030, they're still not as common as petrol pumps. So plotting your charging stops is vital.

"Not only should charging points be pre-planned by drivers, but extra time should also be considered to allow for times where chargers may not be readily available or may be out of service," Nicholas advises.

As electric cars continue to multiply on Britain's roads, steering clear of these pitfalls could be the difference between stress-free motoring and a high-voltage headache.

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