The Octopus EV autumn driving checklist

The ultimate autumn driving checklist? Easy, here we go…

• Plaid overshirt, or your cosiest oversized hoodie
• Chilled driving playlist – perhaps some Simon & Garfunkel classics, or Folklore-era Taylor Swift for the more up-to-date among us
• Pumpkin spice latte to go (with an extra shot of dark roast, obviously)

…oh, you don’t mean that kind of autumn driving checklist?

You’re after something a bit more practical – like how to get your EV ready for the cooler months and whatever weather autumn decides to throw at you?

We’ve got you covered. Here are our top tips for making sure your EV is autumn-ready.

High winds, downpours, crisp blue autumn skies – they’re all covered in the ‘ber’ (or ‘brrrr’) months that round off the year. But those golden leaves and colder temps can make roads a bit trickier to navigate.

That’s why it’s a great time to check your tyres are in top shape.

Look out for:

• A tread depth of at least 3mm (use a tread depth gauge to check)
• Your tyre pressure is at the recommended level (check your car manual)
• Your tyres are in overall good condition, with no cuts, bulges, or cracks in the sidewall
• Even wear across all tyres (if not, your wheel alignment might need a look)

If you lease through Octopus EV, tyres may be included in your package - if so, you can book to have your tyres checked/replaced with our partners. (Added bonus - they often come straight to your house to do this).

Crisp leaves, frosty breath, golden light… autumn mornings are dreamy – until you're sat shivering in the driver's seat waiting for the heater to kick in.

Luckily, your EV has a cosy trick up its sleeve: cabin preconditioning. Just pop into your EV app, set your ideal temperature (hello, heated seats), and let your car warm up while you sip your morning coffee.

Bonus: by preheating your cabin, you’re also preheating the battery, so it’s at its most efficient temperature as soon as you set off. Win-win.

As the temperature drops, your range might too. The good news? It’s usually only a small dip. And EVs are far better at dealing with cold weather than petrol and diesel cars – that’s why the Scandinavians love them.

That said, a few quick tweaks can help you make the most of every charge:

• Precondition while plugged in - warm up your cabin and battery, without using any of your charge
• Drive in eco mode where possible – especially useful in stop/start traffic
• Check your tyres – keep them properly inflated to boost efficiency
• Lighten the load - ditch any unnecessary weight to go further
• Plan your charging stops on longer journeys – use the Electroverse app to find charging points en-route so you’re always topped up

With a bit of seasonal prep, you’re good to go – whatever autumn throws at you.

With servicing and maintenance included in your monthly payment, it's easy to keep your EV in top shape all year round.

Now’s a great time to get ahead of the chill - book your next service to prep for the colder months and make sure everything’s running smoothly before the festive season kicks in.

It’s always nice to save a few pennies in the run-up to the festive season. This autumn, take the opportunity to do a quick ‘EV audit’ to see whether you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

You might want to look at:

• Where you charge your EV – charging at home is cheaper than in public, but there are plenty of ways you can charge your EV for cheaper.
• When you charge your EV – home charging at night is cheaper (and greener) thanks to off-peak electricity rates.
• What energy tariff you’re on – specialist EV tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go can help you save even more with even cheaper electricity overnight. And as an Octopus EV driver, you can get a discount on this already cheap rate with EV Saver.
• How green energy tech could reduce your bills further – as an Octopus EV driver you can unlock discounts on solar panels and heat pumps.
• Whether Vehicle-to-Grid would work for you – sounds complex, but isn’t. You charge your EV during off-peak hours, when energy is cheaper and greener, then sell this energy back to the grid at peak times for savings on your energy bill.