Are you setting off on a road trip in your EV? A popular misconception amongst drivers is that EVs aren’t great for long distance journeys due the potential risk of them running out of battery (also known as range anxiety).
However, thanks to the recent increase in publicly available EV charging infrastructure, range anxiety is becoming a thing of the past. In fact, many EV drivers even say that they find EV road trips ‘more relaxing’ than they did in ICE cars, as they feel less rushed when stopping to charge than they do when stopping to get fuel.
As with any long road trip, EV route planning is essential to avoid any potential hiccups and make your trip as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
before you set off
Before you set off on your EV journey, it is important to carry out some checks on your vehicle to make sure you’re ready to hit the road.
When you make your checklist, remember to include the following:
- Charge your battery to 80% or more: It’s a good idea to charge up overnight so you’re ready to go with full range the next day
- Check your tyre pressure: This should be correct for your expected load, which may be higher than usual if you’re carrying luggage or extra passengers!
- Pack your charging cable: If you’re planning on using public charge points, bringing your own cable is a good idea, just in case the charge point is untethered or not compatible with your vehicle
- Plan your route: Using an electric car journey planner app is a great way to find the best route from A to B, factoring in charging top ups
- Test your brakes and lights: Make sure everything is in good working order to avoid any delays
ev route planning
Planning your route is important for any road trip or long journey, but this becomes even more important when driving an EV. You may need to factor in extra charging time, so it’s important to consider this, especially if you have a tight deadline for when you need to be at your destination.
Make use of electric car journey planner apps when EV route planning. This will help you easily locate chargers along your route. Some popular apps include ZapMap and ChargeMap on which you can enter your journey to see the nearest chargers, as well as their live statuses, so you don’t need to drive around looking for a place to plug in.
Once you have planned your route, and chosen where you’re going to stop to charge, you should be able to calculate how long you need to stop for. Most public chargers are ‘fast’ or rapid’ chargers, charging at speeds of 22kW or more.
Your downtime will vary depending on the speed of the charger, size of your battery, and how much range you need to add. You can calculate your average charge time using the following:
Battery size (kWh) ÷ Charger power (kWh) = Charging time (hours)
If possible, it is a good idea to schedule your stops at convenient locations where you can use the toilet and grab something to eat too, especially if you are going to be waiting a while for your charge to complete.
making use of public charge points whilst ev route planning
When it comes to EV route planning, finding reliable and conveniently located EV chargers along the way is one of the most important things you need to do in preparation.
If you do most of your EV charging at home, using a public charger for the first time may feel a little intimidating, but it doesn’t have to!
Most public chargers accept contactless payment, so all you need to start charging is your debit card or smartphone payment app. However, some older chargers take payment using RFID cards, so it’s a good idea to check this in advance.
If you’re hoping to save some money on your journey, you can make use of free EV charge points along the way. Although not as common as paid-for chargers, there are around 3,568 free EV chargers around the UK and, depending on your route, it is possible to rely solely on these to get you from A to B.
driving to maximise your range
Preserving your range on a long EV journey is essential and even if you plan on stopping for charges, making the most of your miles can save you money and push you further.
Avoid non-essential functions: If you can, try to limit the amount of heating/air conditioning you use as this will drain your battery faster
Consider other range-affecting factors: When planning your EV route, you should consider any factors that may affect your car’s range, such as terrain and temperature. If you are going to be driving over rough terrain, on lots of uphill roads, or through extreme temperatures, this has the potential to affect your range, so choosing easier, smoother routes where possible can minimise this
Don’t wait too long to charge: Though trying to stretch your remaining range as far as possible or getting to your destination without stopping may be tempting, try to keep your battery from dipping below 20%, as some of this battery power will need to be used for other functions such as lights and displays
Accelerate gently: Avoiding aggressive acceleration and braking where possible and maintaining a steady speed can also help preserve range, as these actions create greater demand for battery power.
Use regenerative braking: If your vehicle allows regenerative braking, this technique can recover energy during deceleration, feeding it back into your vehicle’s range.
For more tips on increasing your vehicle’s range during long journeys, check out our guide to maximising electric vehicle range.
need to top up before you set off?
If you’re heading out on a long journey in your EV, make sure you top up your charge first! At Yü Charge, we offer home EV charger installation so you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you never have to go far to find a charger.
Get your free, no obligation installation quote here.