Why Do Electric Cars Become More Power-Hungry When Driven at High Speed?

SOLO, KOMPAS.com - Driving electric vehicles (BEVs) can lead to higher energy consumption due to several technical factors related to how the electric motor works and the vehicle’s drag at higher speeds. Jayan Sentanuhady, a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), said drivers who push BEVs to high speeds will burn more electrical power, even if travel times are shorter. ‘Electric power consumption in BEVs is greatest at the start of the journey, in addition to the weight borne by the body to move the heavy car, requiring more power; floor it also drains more power,’ Jayan told KOMPAS.com on Friday (6/3/2026). ‘When the driver accelerates a BEV aggressively, at high speeds, electrical power consumption increases even more. As a result, the total range can be shorter.’ As is known, electric cars do not require petrol, but they still require electricity. The energy storage is in the battery, which each model has its own capacity and is limited. ‘It’s wasteful because it’s driven hard, but the travel time can be faster with the same total distance; the difference is in the cruising range,’ Jayan said. Distance is the distance in kilometres from point A to point B. Meanwhile, range is the vehicle’s ability to reach a specified distance depending on the remaining battery charge. It turns out this is not directly related to product faults or issues. But such waste is also closely linked to how the vehicle is used. Moreover, not all manufacturers measure energy consumption under real-world conditions. Jayan said factory testing methods, such as WLTP, EPA, NEDC and similar standards, use their own standards and differ from real-world conditions. In real-world conditions, the car might be loaded with passengers, on congested roads, and with driving habits that tend to press the accelerator hard. In addition, habits of setting the air conditioner (AC) too cold, or using it in hot weather can increase the AC load. At high speeds, the motor requires more electrical power. Although widely regarded as efficient, the power required to push the car increases as speed rises. Consequently, the current drawn from the battery becomes larger. Therefore, driving at a steady and not overly high speed is the best way to maintain energy efficiency for electric cars. A smooth and controlled driving style can help the battery last longer during the journey.