An auto expert emphasises that managing energy use, optimal route planning, and driving behaviour are more critical than battery size for long-distance electric car journeys, highlighting practical tips to improve efficiency and range.
Planning matters more than battery size when an electric car is taken on a long journey. Nikita Arkhipov, an auto expert quoted by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, said the real-world range of an EV is often lower than the figure shown in the brochure because speed, outside temperature and aerodynamics all affect consumption. His advice reflects a broader point made in academic research: long-distance EV travel is not simply a matter of driving until the battery runs low, but of managing energy, charging time and the route itself.
Arkhipov recommends plotting several charging points in advance and keeping a backup option in case one station is out of service. He also warns against arriving with an almost empty battery, saying a reserve of 10% to 20% is preferable. In the same vein, he said charging to 100% is not always efficient because the fastest charging rates are usually reached only up to about 80%. Research on long-distance route planning supports that approach, showing that charging location, timing and dwell time must be built into the journey plan if the trip is to remain practical and time-efficient.
The expert said the easiest way to stretch range in an emergency is to slow down, with about 100 km/h cited as a useful threshold. He also pointed to smoother acceleration, greater use of regenerative braking and keeping the windows shut, all of which reduce drag and help preserve energy. Those points align with published studies on EV route optimisation, which treat driving style, traffic uncertainty and energy use as key variables rather than fixed constants. The literature also shows why route planning software increasingly combines road data with charging predictions and battery models.
Arkhipov added that the car itself should be checked before departure, including tyre pressure, brakes, suspension, wipers, the battery cooling system and software updates that affect range calculations. He also said a petrol generator is a poor fallback because it is heavy and recharges an EV far too slowly to be useful on the road. That practical advice fits the wider reality of long-distance electric driving: the infrastructure is improving, but successful travel still depends on careful preparation, realistic timing and a clear understanding of how the vehicle will behave outside ideal conditions.
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