A MOTORING expert has warned EV drivers that simply turning on the heater could cost you a small fortune.
Abigayle, who is known on TikTok as ‘Shetalkscars’, hands out car advice to her 146,000 followers.
TikTok/ShetalkscarsAbigayle answered a fan’s question in a recent TikTok post[/caption]
TikTok/ShetalkscarsThe range in her Genesis GV70 went down by 20 miles the minute she switched the heating on[/caption]
In a recent clip, she donned a festive Santa hat and Christmas jumper and replied to the question she’d been asked: “Does turning the heating on in an electric car affect the range?”
To find out, she got in a Genesis GV70, an all-electric SUV.
She started by saying: “You might find the answer interesting. If you look here… I’ll show you,” and switched on the car’s heating system.
According to the car’s dashboard screen, the car originally had a range of 184 miles, with the battery charged at 79 per cent, but the instant the heating was switched on, it dropped by 20 miles.
Then she turned it off and the range went back up to 184 miles.
The caption on the footage then read: “This is always an estimate, I find manufacturers are over cautious when they quote EV range on the dash… Much more of a buffer than a petrol or diesel car.”
Abigayle added: “Personally, I’m not fussed for 20 miles with the type of driving I do.
“I also have it on the passenger too and at 27 degrees because I’m always cold.”
She continued: “How the car is driven affects the miles more than anything else I’ve found.
“I’ve been driving this car flat out (within the limit) everywhere I go and I don’t use braking regeneration either.
“I’m getting about 240 miles on a full charge from the Genesis GV70.
“I don’t think the range with or without the heating on is a deal breaker.”
Not everyone though agreed with her in the comments.
One person said: “Don’t lose any mpg in my diesel with the heating on.”
While a second wrote: “So it costs about £3 extra each charge just to be warm and keep ya windows clear.”
A third added: “Lose 20 miles for heating, more miles for radio, more miles for driving 70mph, more miles because its cold and you are only meant to charge to 80 per cent.”
Others sided with Abigayle though, saying it didn’t really bother them.
One commentator thought: “People get so mad about this. Stick to your petrol/diesel cars if this bothers you. It’s not for everyone.”
While another chipped in with: “Just turn the heating on then find a charge point later. It’s easy.”
A third person added: “I don’t even notice it. Just charge when my battery’s low. Same as my phone.”
Elsewhere, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has welcomed Nissan’s £2billion investment in an electric car factory.
The Japanese car giant announced it would build new e-versions of its Qashqai and Juke cars at its Sunderland site plus a model to replace the Leaf.
We put the new Fisker Ocean through its paces and its a car packed with gimmicks.
Meanwhile, BMW’s dramatic new electric SUV Neue Klasse has been spotted before release – and it’s “almost unrecognisable”.
TikTok/ShetalkscarsThe motoring expert said it didn’t bother her the range dropped by 20 miles[/caption]