Does driving an EV change you as a driver?

[Robster]

So for the last 3 years I've had my first electric car, its fast 0 to 60 in 3.7 and I'm conscious driving it has changed my driving style/behaviours , for example on one hand it makes me feel safer having the extra power, eg joining onto a motorway , pulling away from roundabouts . However is also makes me more frustrated at slower drivers and more likely to overtake , take a car doing 25 in a 30 for example.
As I know I can overtake fairly easy , I'm begining to wonder if driving cars like this can make you a worse driver. Without sounding aggressive a lot of the cars tailgating on the motor way in the fast lanes seem to be polestars, Tesla , got me thinking ...

[hidetheelephants]

What has any of that to do with them being electric?

[Robster]

hidetheelephants said:

What has any of that to do with them being electric?

For me it's the experience of having a new smooth and fast car at a budget , that I wouldn't be able to get the level of performance unless I went second hand. But also because the performance is more accessible, instant torque , even family EVs seem quicker than their petrol alternative, therefore is the extra performance making me go for overtakes that I wouldn't normally think to do

[normalbloke]

Unfortunately, it does also put that acceleration into the hands of many people who have no clue how to use it safely.

[Robster]

[quote=normalbloke]Unfortunately, it does also put that acceleration into the hands of many people who have no clue how to use it safely.[

Absolutely I'm old enough to resist the urge to drive like an idiot , but it is more tempting in my current car than previous ones !

[ashenfie]

normalbloke said:

Unfortunately, it does also put that acceleration into the hands of many people who have no clue how to use it safely.

Never noticed EV drivers tend to be in the group of insanely slow drivers we have these days.

[MikeM6]

It is interesting as a thought, and I suspect lots of people have adapted to rely on the instant and copious power, in the same way that I think a lot of drivers of new cars have adapted to rely on the lane assist to keep them out of trouble on motorways.

It must make driving much easier and less taxing, and I wonder if that also makes it easier to zone out.

[Pit Pony]

Depends what day of the week it is.

Daily commute, no worries about range, drive it like you stole it.

Weekend away, range anxious, drive carefully and smoothly.

[Debaser]

From cold I’ll drive an EV a lot harder than an ICE

[Truckosaurus]

ashenfie said:

Never noticed EV drivers tend to be in the group of insanely slow drivers we have these days.

Indeed. I think EV driving encourages you to cruise at a lower speed to maintain your range. I certain now drive on (adaptive) cruise control more now than when I owned ICE cars.

You can hoof it off the line at traffic lights without much fuss compared to an ICE car, so I'm more likely to do that than before.

I've driven my brother's silly fast Porsche Taycan and the full bore launches are amusing for the first couple of times but aren't especially 'fun' so you don't bother after that.

[Ham_and_Jam]

MikeM6 said:

in the same way that I think a lot of drivers of new cars have adapted to rely on the lane assist to keep them out of trouble on motorways.

I assumed most people were like me and it was the first thing they turned off when they got into the car

[georgeyboy12345]

With any car (EV, petrol, diesel, whatever) I find that if I have more power then I paradoxically tend to drive slower and more safely, knowing that said power is there if I need it, as opposed to a small engined supermini that I usually drive as fast as it will allow.

[GAjon]

Funnily enough, I used the M6 toll on Thursday, coming out of the toll booth two electric cars set off like a yard of formula one knicker elastic!

Don t know why, they both settled down to a sedate pace soon after.

[Rafka]

GAjon said:

Funnily enough, I used the M6 toll on Thursday, coming out of the toll booth two electric cars set off like a yard of formula one knicker elastic!

Don t know why, they both settled down to a sedate pace soon after.

Because they can, that’s why.

[Ch0nky]

Usually find EVers rarely using the accumulative capabilities of their cars. Yep range, yep slow lane doing a steady 60mph.

[CLK-GTR]

I will pull out of junctions in a way i probably wouldnt in petrol cars, despite my usual petrol having multiples more power than the EV. Same goes for overtakes.

Dont have to worry about if its warmed up, am i stuck in comfort mode, what gear am i in? Its all very easy and accessible if a bit soulless.

[Unreal]

Enjoy it while it lasts.

Virtually everyone will be in an EV before long, at least for daily commuting and the like so any performance differential will evaporate.

[bigothunter]

Ham_and_Jam said:

MikeM6 said:

in the same way that I think a lot of drivers of new cars have adapted to rely on the lane assist to keep them out of trouble on motorways.

I assumed most people were like me and it was the first thing they turned off when they got into the car

They're not.

Most drivers leave driver aids firmly switched on in their perception of improved safety. They are not enthusiasts and they are not discerning.

[Billy_Rosewood]

I don't think it changes the driver. Certain drivers tend to been drawn towards certain types of car. Yesterday's Vauxhall driver is today's tesla driver. Only now they have enough power to out accelerate everyone at the traffic light only to hold everyone up once in front.

[QBee]

I find I tend to drive a car the way it feels like it wants to be driven.
I am also aware that the roads are far busier and far more dangerous now than they were say 30 years ago.
And finally, the chances of being done for speeding are also far greater thanks to this country's obsession with speed cameras.
I would imagine it is easier to get on the wrong side of the law in an EV, thanks to the hilarious acceleration.