Converting from combustion to electric cars sounds more traumatic in theory than in practice. I switched out both my family’s combustion cars for new EVs this year—a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and a Kia EV9—and would not count the EV shift among my list of top ten life cataclysms endured in 2024.
But buying your first EV is a change. And as with any change in life, there’s an initial adjustment period and some apprehension. EVs do things differently than combustion vehicles. And there are a few quirks to watch out for that take some getting used to. Here are some of the major ones to look out for.
Instant Torque
Torque delivery works differently in an electric vehicle. A combustion engine must rev up to its peak torque band. However, an EV can deliver that peak torque immediately from a standstill. To the first-time EV driver, that can feel unnervingly quick and responsive. That quickness is not a bad thing per se—it's great for tight traffic maneuvers and perhaps dusting that Subaru WRX with the unnecessary throaty aftermarket exhaust—but it may require an adjustment period.
Some manufacturers try to mitigate the feeling of overwhelming torque. The Chevy Blazer EV and Chevy Equinox EV are tuned to bring on the torque more gradually to make it feel natural to combustion drivers. Chevy’s electric truck, the Silverado EV, also restricts the torque on tap, only unlashing all of it in “Wide Open Watts” mode. Other EVs require the driver to be more delicate with throttle inputs.
Range Anxiety
Range anxiety is the common term. I’d opt for something like “range cognizance” or “range awareness” that better reflects the slow-burn worry. You seldom, if ever, need to worry about filling up a gas car. Unless you’re in the remotest desert, a gas station will be there and refueling will take only a few minutes. Driving an EV is far more involved. It requires advanced planning about where and when to charge. It also requires more diligence about energy consumption from activities like cranking the heat for the entire cabin up to Level 11.
The short answer is you get used to dealing with the range. The countdown clock doesn’t consume your driving experience, especially if you have a Level 2 home charger installed and a modern EV with more than 250 miles of range. But the countdown clock is always in the back of your mind.
Regenerative Braking
Braking can feel odd to novice EV drivers. Combustion cars rely on friction braking. EVs add regenerative braking into the mix, where the vehicle recovers otherwise lost energy and charges the battery with it. In a combustion car, you push the brake pedal to get the braking effect. In an EV with regenerative braking engaged, the car decelerates when you lift off the accelerator. Many EVs have a one-pedal driving mode where the deceleration is strong enough for the driver to stop without touching the brake pedal. It can be challenging for a new EV driver to use the system smoothly (and a rocky ride for passengers).
Regenerative braking systems can differ widely based on the manufacturer. Some systems can be quirky. Mercedes EVs move the brake pedal automatically to match where it would be if you weren’t one-pedal driving. Some GM EVs have a regen on-demand hand paddle to enhance regeneration. Most new EVs have, at the very least, on/off functionality with regenerative braking. The best systems allow multiple levels of regen, allowing new drivers to find their comfort level.
The Sound of Silence
EVs are smooth and quiet. Those are sought-after characteristics of Lexuses and other luxury combustion cars. But the pure absence of noise being emitted by the vehicle — mandatory low-speed noise that probably sounds like an alien spacecraft excepted—can confuse new EV drivers. Hearing the engine strain and gear shifts and feeling the visceral feedback is one of the main ways drivers can tell how fast they are going.
There isn’t an excellent solution for this. EVs don’t offer alternate clues to replace that auditory feedback. The best option is to be more mindful of checking the speedometer when hitting the freeway or on that 25 mph residential street.
Wait, how do I shift my Tesla into D?
A Tesla is still the first EV many owners buy. And one of the most immediate quirks one encounters with a new one is how to shift into drive or reverse. The brand that spearheaded the cabin minimalist movement has now eliminated stalks from the steering wheel. It provides a clean aesthetic. But it converts a mindless function into a nuisance.
Tesla does offer multiple (albeit less intuitive) ways to shift. Beta software allows Tesla to automatically determine the gear you need; the car’s camera system detects the giant brick wall in front of you and ascertains you need reverse. Alternatively, drivers can access shift controls on the driver’s side of the touchscreen or above the rearview mirror.
