Going on a road trip with your loved ones is a great experience, and it can become more exciting if you have an electric vehicle (EV).
EVs have taken the vehicle industry by storm. They can make your trip more environmentally friendly, whether you're after a California adventure or a scenic drive in Hawaii. However, there are six tips you should consider when taking an electric vehicle road trip. Let's find out!
Table of Contents
Electric Vehicle Road Trip Advice
1. Insure Your Vehicle
It's essential to have the proper insurance coverage on your EV in case of any emergency, accident, or theft during your trip. Different states may require different levels of vehicle insurance, so be sure you are adequately insured for your travel.
Insurance is vital if traveling to an area with substandard road infrastructure or a high car theft rate. In this case, consider a comprehensive coverage policy from a reliable provider like ROLLiN' Insurance.
2. Be Aware Of Your Range
Remember that electric vehicles run on batteries and have a limited travel range. This is why it's essential to understand your EV's range beforehand so you don't run out of charge while driving.
On average, electric vehicles have a range of 150 to 300 miles. But certain factors may affect your EV range, such as:
- Cold or chilling weather
- High speed
- Running the EV heater or air conditioner for a long time
So, don't forget to consider the distance you'll be traveling, the terrain, and the weather conditions when planning your trip. In addition, you should also consider any side trips you may want to take during your trip.
You can easily estimate your EV range using range estimator software like:
- LegacyEV
- HomeChargingStations
- SenaorsOne
- CarWow.co
3. Download Helpful EV Apps To Plan Your Journey
Many useful EV apps allow you to plan your journey. Here are two you might want to consider installing:
- Power Trip: Power Trip helps you find charging stations for your electric vehicle, plan your journey, optimize charging time, and reduce overall charging costs. You can also predict charging requirements and schedule stops accordingly.
- PlugShare: This app provides a map of charging stations worldwide, including information on the station's type, availability, and pricing. You can also filter the charging stations based on your preferences, such as charging speed, network, and payment method.
4. Pick Hotels With EV Charging Points
If you plan to stay at hotels during your trip, choose those that offer EV charging points. For instance, if you are traveling to Los Angeles, California, you can stay at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, which provides EV charging points.
5. Pack Fast-Charging Chargers
You should ensure you have a fast charger to charge your EV as quickly as possible.
Here are the three types of chargers that people generally use for charging EVs:
- Level 1: This is the slowest charging option; it uses a standard 120-volt AC outlet. Level 1 chargers resemble your typical home wiring and take hours or a day to fully charge an EV. It can be a good option if you've planned overnight stays during your trip.
- Level 2: These chargers use a 240-volt AC outlet and charge your vehicle in four to ten hours. You can use them if you plan to visit a nearby tourist attraction while your car is charged.
- Level 3: The fastest charging option is using a high-powered DC charging station. With a Level 3 charger, you can expect 80% charging in an hour. This is the best option for charging your EV quickly during a road trip.
6. Have A Plan B
Although EVs are quickly taking over the world, finding a charging spot can still be difficult in some places.
Even if you find one, it might not be functional or have a long waiting line. So, it's best to:
- Plan your trip around places where plenty of EV charging spots are available.
- Carry an emergency charging kit containing a power bank and EV charger to give your vehicle the power it needs to reach a charging spot.
Final Words
An EV road trip is not only super fun but also environmentally friendly. But since the world is still adapting to EVs, it's best to be cautious when taking one.
Remember to understand your car's range, download EV route planning applications, choose hotels with a charging station, and always carry an emergency charging kit to avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
We hope you found these tips helpful. If you have any more suggestions you want people to know, don't hesitate to share them in the comments!
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This story was published in partnership with ROLLiN.
