EV DRIVERS have been warned over five buttons that will quickly drain battery this winter.
The shocking revelation has left many motorists stunned as they find out just how much damage they may be doing to their car’s battery.
An expert from leasing service Vanarama has shocked EV drivers after telling them just how much they might be draining their batteryTiktok/@vanaramauk
Using your Sat Nav could cost you five per cent of your total batteryTiktok/@vanaramauk
Air con is another big drainer, especially if used for every tripTiktok/@vanaramauk
While some of the the mistakes are also relevant to petrol and diesel vehicles, many only apply to EV’s.
But thanks to leasing service Vanarama, drivers can now be fully prepared when it comes to taking extra care of your motor.
In a video uploaded to the company’s TikTok page, one of their experts explains how convenience features are the biggest battery drainers.
Sat Nav’s are the first EV feature to be listed in the 24 second clip, with the expert claiming “those directions will use up your battery”.
According to Vanarama, navigation systems are likely to take up around five percent of the battery’s duration over the course of a journey.
While this may seem like a small proportion, those who find themselves using SatNav’s more than others are more at risk of draining their battery.
Next up is cold air conditioning, which uses up around 11 percent of an EV’s battery – although Vanarama are surprised that number isn’t higher.
Nonetheless, putting your windows down instead of using your A/C in warm weather might be more beneficial in the long run.
Windscreen demisters were third on the list with the setting likely to use up around 12 percent of the battery.
If you’re looking to reduce the amount you use this feature, then there are plenty of hacks you can use to help defog your windows.
Meanwhile, heated seats and windscreen wipers drain around the same amount of battery in an EV, with tests putting this at 15 percent.
Heated seats are a much-enjoyed luxury for many people but the long-term affects on your car’s battery can be quite damaging.
When it comes to windscreen wipers, there’s not a lot you can do about it – especially when it rains – but regardless, they are a big drainer.
However, a common feature motorists are likely to use in winter will have the biggest impact on battery life.
Vanarama said: “The worst thing is heating. Using your air con to heat the car drains quite a lot of battery.”
The motoring group has estimated the setting uses up almost one-fifth (17 percent) of a batteries charge.
In response to the video, some social media users suggested the revelations were a reason why they were not impressed with electric vehicles.
One person said: “This is why electric cars won’t work in my neck of the world, so much stop/start traffic, cold weather, wet weather, they won’t last.”
Another added: “I go through about 60-80% a day, driving about 80 miles, and sitting in the car with the AC on for roughly 5 additional hours. Still better than gas.”
A third commented: “Only thing that seems to effect my range is the heater blowers. I lose about 15 miles total range by having them on. Everything else is on the 12v…”
Elsewhere, drivers have also been left stunned by a little-known button in BMWs that will completely change its interior and create a “relaxing vibe”.
A motorist took to TikTok to share the game-changing find to fellow car owners.
And incredible footage has captured the shocking moment a Tesla ploughed through a completely flooded street without stopping.
Video taken by an onlooker at a nearby hotel shows the grey Tesla Model 3, burst through several inches of floodwater in San Diego.
Tiktok/@vanaramaukUsing the demister setting will use 12 per cent of an EV’s battery[/caption]
Tiktok/@vanaramaukTurning on your heated seats setting will use a slightly higher percentage of battery[/caption]
Turning on your windscreen wipers will also use up 15 per centTiktok/@vanaramauk
Turning your heating on will use up to 17 per cent – the biggest battery drainer in an EVTiktok/@vanaramauk