How to: plan an electric road trip
Road trips are growing in popularity and it’s not hard to understand why; the lure of the road is undeniable and road trips give you the freedom to control your departure time, arrival time, itinerary and stops along the way. But, with that said, planning one in an EV can make the process a lot more daunting. The added aspect of having to charge your car to stay on the move means that there is more rigorous journey planning involved before you set off on the open road – so, to ensure your trip runs as smoothly as your EV does, we’ve put together some top tips to help you plan your electric road trip.
Stop, even if it’s not a necessity
With EV charging ports still few and far between, distance is often the biggest cause of anxiety for anyone planning an EV road trip. To minimise stress, research where the charging ports are along your route and consider the distance between each. It’s always a good idea to re-charge, even if your EV isn’t empty – after all, it’s better to have plenty of miles left over at the end of the day, than to find that you are running dangerously low whilst on the road. Motorways tend to be fantastic for charging, but of course motorway driving isn’t the most efficient driving and it certainly isn’t the most pleasant. So, perhaps plan to take the smaller, more scenic routes when you know you have just visited a charging port.
Book hotels with charging facilities
Whilst it’s important to know where your charging pit stops will be throughout the day, waking up to a fully charged car can really help to reduce your stress levels and get your day off to a great start. So, it’s a good idea to look for hotels or hostels that offer EV charging so you can sleep soundly knowing your car is loading up, and you don’t have to rush to find a port before you set off the next day.
Consider changes to your usual range
If you’re an EV driver, you’ll likely know your car pretty well in regards to the distance it can cover between charges. But remember that weather, weight and altitude can all affect your car’s usual range. Remember you will get a better range in warm and dry weather, and don’t forget that luggage and extra passengers will of course affect the range as well, just as it would in a petrol/diesel car. Altitude can also burn through your electrons, so if your route takes some steep roads, it’s a good idea to double check that there’s EV charging facilities nearby, just in case.
Have a breakdown plan
Even with the most meticulous planning, problems can arise. A charging station may be closed or out of order, and there’s no guarantee that you won’t find yourself running on empty – so, it’s important that you have a breakdown plan in place for your own peace of mind. If you’re serious about a life on the road, look into purchasing a portable battery pack to keep in the vehicle for emergencies, or if that isn’t an option, keep a recovery number in the glovebox just in case the worst happens.
Make sure your car has been serviced
A serviced car is an efficient car, so before you set off make sure that you know everything is in check. At Hatfields, we offer full service plans for all of our customers – call in to your nearest retailer to find out more.
And finally… don’t forget your charger!
This might seem obvious, but with such meticulous planning going into your road trip it’s easy to forget the essentials. So, before you set off just take a second to double check!
