'I bought an EV - I wish I knew 1 thing before'

A driver has revealed what she wishes she had known before purchasing an electric car. EVs have become increasingly popular over the last few years, with government incentives making it enticing for drivers to switch from petrol-powered cars to electric ones. However, some people aren't as impressed and have actually made the switch back, while others praise their EVs for their efficiency and comfort.

One car owner who recently purchased their first electric car has revealed what she wishes she had known before she bought it. TikTok user @drivewithchloe, who is a DVLA-approved driving instructor in the West Yorkshire area, shared her advice and insight for those who are considering buying their first EV, including a piece of knowledge she wishes she had beforehand. In a video that received more than 200,000 views, she explains how the mileage on an EV isn't always as advertised.

She revealed: "I have no regrets, but I wish I knew this before."

She explained how the mileage advertised when purchasing the car might not actually translate to real life. This is down to a number of factors, such as how fast your car can accept a charge and the speed at which you drive.

She lists this as a factor she wishes she had known before buying an electric car. The TikToker explained how her battery normally only charges to around 80 per cent, as built-in technology slows down the charging process after it reaches this to preserve the battery's health.

She explained: "You should only really use 80 per cent of your battery in order to protect its longevity, meaning if your car is advertised as a range of 280 miles, you can actually expect to realistically only utilise 80 per cent of that."

Not only this, but varying factors can also affect how long your EV battery lasts. The experts at Advance Motors list five of these factors.

They explain that battery capacity is the most crucial factor, but another one is weather conditions. The battery in your electric car will have to work harder in extreme heat and extreme cold conditions. "Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can reduce the battery's efficiency and overall range," they explain, revealing that cold weather can decrease the range of an electric car by about 20 to 30 per cent.

Other factors that affect the mileage of an electric vehicle include terrain, average speed at which the car is driven and vehicle weight.