If you want to save money on fuel and the general cost of car ownership, an electric vehicle will always be your best bet. Even with the cost of electricity, an EV is one of the cheapest, most eco-friendly ways to get around town. If you want to take a longer road trip, you may be hesitant to ditch your old internal combustion engine.
Even with the extended range of new electric vehicles, it is normal to have some anxiety about setting off into the unknown without the safety net of a traditional gas vehicle and gas station. Knowing everything you can about maximizing your vehicle’s range on a road trip can help ease some of these concerns and make your trip as worry-free as possible.
If you want to make the most of your EV’s capabilities on the open road, knowing what you should keep in mind is important. The key to a successful EV road trip is planning, and with a good understanding of what you need to do to keep your vehicle charged, you can have the confidence you need.
Before you start your trip, you need to know what you can expect regarding charging time. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a Level 1 AC charger will take five to six hours to fully charge your EV from 20 percent. A Level 2 charger will take between three and eight hours, and DC fast chargers will take 15 minutes to an hour for a full charge. Factoring this charging time into your trip will be crucial, especially if you have somewhere long distance to be at a certain date and time.
The availability of chargers on your road trip is going to be another essential consideration. There are many ways to look for electric car chargers along your route and planning your trip around charger availability can ensure that you don’t find yourself stranded without a way to get your vehicle charged up. You can either do a simple Google Maps search for EV chargers along your trip route or use a mobile app such as PlugShare to find charging options or charging networks with the best availability.
It is incredibly important that you factor traffic into your road trip and your charging plan. There is not much you can do to control traffic, and you are bound to run into it sooner or later on a long trip. You can, however, plan for it by factoring it in and charging up before you hit major metropolitan areas that are more likely to have traffic jams. While your EV will not use as much power if you are sitting still, there will still be a drain, so it is better to be charged before you start sitting in gridlock so you don’t have to worry about using up too much energy while you wait.
Extremely hot and cold weather can have a detrimental effect on your EV battery’s capacity. For example, in a test conducted by AAA, an EV battery had a range of 105 miles at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but this dropped to 43 miles at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of this possibility of decreased capacity, you should factor more charge stops into your trip if you plan on driving in extremely high or low temperatures.
Getting the most out of your EV battery is not hard, but it requires a certain level of route planning and forethought. By mapping out your trip and knowing where you will be at specific times, you can keep your electric vehicle charged and avoid any EV range anxiety.
If you want to be certain that there will be a charger available wherever you are going, making reservations along the way can be helpful. Many companies, such as EVmatch and EVgo, allow you to reserve fast EV charging stations nationwide for specific dates and times. You can also make reservations at hotels with EV chargers in the parking lot. They will not overbook their chargers, and you can rest easy knowing you will have a place to charge overnight.
EV charging companies like ChargePoint and Electrify America have smartphone apps with all kinds of functions designed to get you from charger to charger. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these apps before you leave on your trip. This way, you will always be able to find a public charging station, no matter where you are going.
While you probably won’t have to worry about running behind on your trip, building some extra time into your schedule is always a good idea. This leaves room for little charging stops or instances where you might forget to charge your vehicle overnight. Road trips can be overwhelming, and it is best to leave more time than you think you will need so you can go at a leisurely pace and enjoy yourself as much as possible.
Planning your EV road trip and knowing where all the charging stations are is your best way to have a stress-free vacation. If you want to ensure that your vehicle is in great shape and has the protection you need for your whole car, an extended warranty can help. Many third-party extended warranty providers offer specialized coverage for electric vehicles, and having a protection plan can give you the peace of mind you need to drive your EV with confidence for many years, no matter where you go.
Some extended warranties also come with extra features that can be incredibly useful on long trips, such as 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. Explore our extended warranty provider reviews and buying guide to find out which extended warranty will work best for you and your vehicle.
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