Boosting EV Efficiency with Lightfoot Tech

author: FutureCar Staff    

Lightfoot, a company specializing in driver management systems, has reported that the efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs) used as company cars has increased by 35% over the past year. This improvement can be attributed to advancements in technology and coaching with telematics. By analyzing hundreds of cars in its system, Lightfoot found that average efficiency has risen from 2.75 miles per kWh in July 2022 to 3.72 miles per kWh in June 2023.

Paul Hollick, the managing director of Lightfoot, expressed his enthusiasm for the progress made in the adoption of EVs by businesses and their drivers. He stated, "What our data clearly shows is that businesses and their drivers are combining our system with the new EV technology available and hugely improving efficiency and range."

An example provided by Lightfoot illustrates the impact of increased efficiency on real-world range. In 2022, a driver operating a car with a 60 kWh battery and an efficiency of 2.75 miles per kWh could expect a range of 165 miles. However, by mid-2023, a car with a similar battery size would have a range of 223 miles, an increase of nearly 60 miles per charge.

All drivers involved in the study had the Lightfoot driver management system installed, which provides feedback on driving style to improve efficiency and range. Hollick emphasized that the Lightfoot system has proven effective in reducing fuel consumption in petrol and diesel vehicles, and the data now demonstrates its transformative effect on EVs as well.

In addition to range, the increase in efficiency also impacts the cost of running EVs. Assuming a 60 kWh battery car charged at 30p per kWh in 2022, the cost per mile would be 11p. However, in 2023, with improved efficiency, the cost per mile would decrease to 8p. Over a distance of 20,000 miles per year, this translates to a significant cost saving of £580 in electricity when equipped with Lightfoot technology.

The impact of external factors on EV efficiency was also evident in Lightfoot's telematics data. The only significant decrease in efficiency occurred during a heatwave in July and August 2022 when heavy air-conditioning use outweighed the benefits of warm weather on battery efficiency. Hollick noted that this data highlights the greater impact of air conditioning on EV range compared to colder weather during winter months.

Despite these external factors, Lightfoot's data reinforces the case for switching to electric vehicles. Hollick concluded, "Lightfoot's driver coaching and telematics make EVs cheaper to run and go further." With advancements in technology, more efficient batteries, and improved energy management, electric cars are becoming a viable option for a wider range of people and fleets.

FutureCar Staff