CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: As India sees great numbers of households switching to electric cars, VinFast is stepping in to help first-time EV owners adapt to new routines in driving, charging, and maintenance.
The numbers tell a story of momentum
India registered 115,800 electric four-wheelers in fiscal year 2024-25, about 15 percent more than the year before. That number signals perhaps the largest wave of households shifting from petrol to electric cars so far. The rise is exciting, but buying an EV is only the beginning. Owning one means new habits, from the way people drive to how they plan trips and maintain the vehicle. Automakers like VinFast are responding by building features into their cars that help new drivers adjust with less trial and error.
Drive Smoothly, Save Range
Driving an EV is not simply a matter of pressing the pedal and expecting the same response as a petrol car. Electric motors deliver instant torque, which can tempt drivers to accelerate hard. Yet smooth driving is key to extracting the best range from a charge.
Regenerative braking, which recaptures energy when slowing down, works best when the driver anticipates traffic rather than relying on sudden stops. The lesson is simple: steady inputs save energy.
Most modern EVs come with multiple drive modes. Eco mode lightens steering effort and dials back power to extend range, especially useful in congested city streets. Normal mode balances efficiency and responsiveness for mixed conditions. Sport mode sharpens handling and maximizes power, best reserved for highways or quick overtaking. Many new owners assume Sport is the “default” choice, but frequent use drains the battery faster than expected.
Another habit worth building is pre-conditioning the car. By cooling or heating the cabin while plugged in, owners reduce the energy drawn from the battery once the trip begins. In hot Indian summers, this small step can preserve several kilometers of driving range.
VinFast has built these functions into the VF 6 and VF 7, pairing them with steering assist and suspension tuned for both urban traffic and longer journeys. The VF 7 also shows that efficiency and performance are not mutually exclusive. Its all-wheel-drive version accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 5.8 seconds, yet still allows drivers to optimize range with the right settings.
Charge Wisely, Treat the Battery Well
If driving style is the first adjustment, charging habits are the second. Petrol drivers are used to filling a tank from empty. That mindset does not translate well to EVs. Batteries last longer when kept between 20 and 80 percent charge for daily use. Allowing the pack to reach zero is a big “no-no”. Fast charging, meanwhile, is a valuable tool for road trips, but it should not become the default method. Overnight charging at home on a slower connection is gentler and often cheaper.
Public charging also comes with a new form of etiquette. Once the car is topped up, drivers should move it so others can use the station. India’s network of public chargers is expanding, yet access remains uneven. Urban centers are seeing rapid installations, while many highways are still thinly covered. For first-time owners, this means route planning matters. Checking apps before setting out helps avoid range anxiety.
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