Boosting EV Efficiency with Lightfoot Tech

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Lightfoot's analysis shows that the efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs) used as company cars has improved by 35% in the past year due to technology advances and coaching with telematics. The average efficiency has increased from 2.75 miles per kWh in July 2022 to 3.72 miles per kWh in June 2023. This improvement has led to an increase in real-world range, with a car with a 60 kWh battery going nearly 60 miles further on every charge.

FutureCar Staff Oct 01, 2023 9:20 AM PT

Boosting EV Efficiency with Lightfoot Tech

Lightfoot, a company specializing in telematics, has reported a significant improvement in the real-life efficiency of electric vehicles (EV) used as company cars. Through the analysis of hundreds of cars in their system, Lightfoot found that average efficiency has increased by 35% over the past year. In July 2022, the average efficiency was 2.75 miles per kWh, while in June 2023, it had climbed to 3.72 miles per kWh.

Paul Hollick, the managing director of Lightfoot, expressed his excitement over these findings, stating that they demonstrate the progress the fleet sector is making in adopting EVs. He emphasized that businesses and drivers are combining Lightfoot's system with the latest EV technology, resulting in improved efficiency and range.

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

All drivers in the study had the Lightfoot driver management system installed, which provides feedback on driving style to enhance efficiency and range. Hollick highlighted that the Lightfoot system has proven to reduce fuel consumption in petrol and diesel vehicles over the years, and this data demonstrates its transformative effect on EVs as well. He attributed the improved efficiency to advancements in energy management technology, more efficient batteries, and less power-hungry ancillary systems.

The increase in efficiency not only impacts range but also the cost of running an EV. Assuming a 60 kWh battery car charged at 30p per kWh in 2022, it would cost 11p per mile to run. In 2023, the cost would decrease to 8p per mile. Over 20,000 miles per year, the 2023 car equipped with Lightfoot technology would save £580 in electricity compared to the 2022 car. These savings would be even greater in more expensive public charging scenarios.

Lightfoot's telematics data also revealed the influence of external factors on EV efficiency. The only significant decrease in efficiency occurred during a heatwave in July and August 2022. Heavy air-conditioning use led to a 20% drop in efficiency, outweighing the benefits of warm weather on battery efficiency. Hollick noted that this highlights the impact of air conditioning on EV range, which can be more significant than colder weather during winter months.

Hollick concluded by emphasizing the importance of considering external factors in efficiency and cost predictions for fleets. He stated that as more is learned about how EVs operate in the real world, it becomes clear that the assumptions with the most significant effects are not always the most obvious. However, the data unequivocally demonstrates that Lightfoot's driver coaching and telematics make EVs cheaper to run and enable them to go further.