5 Road Trip Tips for Electric Car Drivers
A road trip takes thoughtful planning. You will need to map out your route, secure lodging, pack your essentials, and make sure your vehicle is up for the journey with a maintenance check. If you’re behind the wheel of an electric car, finding electric charging stations along the way is crucial to your road trip success. Here are few other factors to consider to protect your battery’s charge and longevity when road tripping in an EV.
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Don’t rush to get where you’re going
The whole point of a road trip is to enjoy the drive, which leaves no room for speeding, especially if you want to preserve your battery range.
“While one of the joys of EV driving is the rapid acceleration, putting the pedal to the metal puts more strain on the battery than a more gradual acceleration and will reduce your range — as well as reduce the lifespan of the battery,” warns Treehugger.com writer David M. Kuchta.
Adjust the estimates
Highway driving can impact your EV’s estimated range. You might not get the range you expect if your road trip takes you across highways as opposed to urban adventures, according to Kuchta.
Stay connected
Typically, a credit card can get you anything. But, when it comes to EV charging, a credit card may not be an acceptable form of payment, which can you leave you and your crew stranded on your road trip. Since charging connectors and EV charging networks can vary widely, it’s important to be prepared before you hit the road.
“The most convenient method of charging is done with a phone app, so make sure you have all the charging apps installed on your phone, or the RFID that comes with each plan,” Kuchta advises.
Be strategic at charging stations
There is no doubt you’ll have to charge your EV along the way. Maximize your stops and the time you spend waiting on your battery to charge by visiting charging stations located near restaurants, retail areas, or green spaces, advises RoadTrippers.com writer Sanna Boman.
“If you’re traveling with your own activities — bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or games — this may also be a good time to bring those out,” Boman adds.
Create a plan B
Just because the map says an EV station is there, doesn’t mean it’s operational. That’s why Kuchta says you should always have a plan B in place. Planning for alternate charging options along your route can save your trip.
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DeAnn Owens is a Dayton transplant by way of the Windy City, yet considers herself to be a California girl at heart even though she’s only visited there once. To get through the dreaded allergy season unique to the Miami Valley, she reads, writes, complains about the weather, and enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and their newest addition, a Boston terrier puppy that is now in charge of all their lives. In the future, she hopes to write a novel and travel through time. See more articles by DeAnn.