Switching to an electric vehicle here in Ireland is often described as a revelation but also a learning curve. We have spoke to many Nevo readers and show attendees that say they’d never go back, yet many also admit there are things they wish they’d understood before taking delivery. From real-world range to charging habits, let's have a look at some of the lessons new EV drivers tend to learn the hard way!

1. Real Driving Efficiency Numbers

One of the first surprises is how optimistic official efficiency figures can be. WLTP range ratings are useful for comparison, but Irish roads, weather, and driving styles tell a different story. Cold mornings, wet roads, motorway speeds, and hilly rural routes can all reduce efficiency. Drivers quickly learn to think in kilometres per kilowatt-hour (km/kWh) rather than advertised range. A car rated for 450 km might realistically deliver 320 - 380 km in mixed Irish driving conditions. Once you understand your car’s real efficiency in your typical conditions, range anxiety fades and planning becomes second nature.

2. How Much Range You Actually Use Each Day

New EV owners often overestimate how much range they need. After a few weeks, most realise they’re using far less than expected. The average Irish commute is well under 60 km per day, meaning many drivers use only 10 - 20% of their battery on a normal weekday. This realisation can be liberating. You stop thinking about “filling up” and start thinking about “topping up.” Instead of waiting until the battery is nearly empty, you charge little and often. Many drivers find they only need a full charge once if not twice a week max.

3. Why Home Charging Changes Everything

Ask our Nevo experts or any experienced EV owner what the single biggest lifestyle change is, and they’ll say home charging. Plugging in at night and waking up to a full battery, transforms how you think about driving. Although electricity isn’t cheap here our night-rate still makes home charging especially attractive. Charging at home isn’t just cheaper, it's more convenient and less stressful than relying on public chargers. Drivers who install a home charger early tend to enjoy their EV more and think less about range. Those who delay often wonder why they didn’t do it sooner.

4. Public Charging Dos and Don’ts

The Irish public charging network is improving rapidly, but it still has quirks. New drivers often learn some unwritten rules:

Do:

• Move your car once charging is complete.

• Check apps before arriving to see if chargers are working.

• Have multiple charging apps or cards set up in advance.

Don't:

• Charge to 100% on a fast charger unless you really need it, it’s expensive and ties up the unit.

• Assume every charger delivers its advertised speed; older units may be slower.

• Panic if a charger is busy, there’s usually another option nearby.

With experience, public charging becomes a useful backup rather than a daily necessity.

5. Learning Your Car’s “Sweet Spot” for Range

Every electric vehicle has a “sweet spot” where it delivers the best balance of speed, comfort, and efficiency. Irish drivers often discover that small changes make a big difference. Driving at 100 to 110 km/h instead of 120 km/h on the motorway can significantly extend range. Gentle acceleration, using regenerative braking effectively, and pre-heating the car while plugged in all help. Drivers also learn that batteries are happiest between roughly 20% and 80%. Staying within this range for daily driving improves efficiency and long-term battery health. Once you understand how your car behaves, range stops being a mystery and becomes more predictable.

The Big Realisation

Perhaps the biggest day-one misunderstanding is assuming an EV must fit old petrol-car habits. In reality, EVs reward new ways of thinking: charging at home, driving smoothly, and planning just a little ahead. Irish EV drivers who embrace these changes quickly discover that electric driving isn’t restrictive, it’s simpler, more affordable, and surprisingly freeing when you get the hang of it. By the time most owners look back on their first month, they realise the learning curve was short and the benefits were worth it.