Planning to undertake your first eco-friendly road trip? It doesn’t get more exciting than that. As a first-time driver, you have probably waited for this moment to go on a road trip with your partner or loved one. Unfortunately, you might not know so much regarding electric vehicles or how to plan your trip, or how often you should let your EV rest on a road trip.
As someone who has always driven a gas-powered vehicle, getting the keys to my Tesla Model vehicle made me a bit nervous. It got worse when I decided to go on a road trip from Wasilla, a small town where I resided to Anchorage. Since that was my first road trip in an EV, I made sure I detailed my experience so that I can share a few tips with you. If you are wondering how often you should let your EV rest on a road trip, I’d say that the question depends on your driving and travel distance.
Reckless driving and unnecessary braking can raise the temperature of the batteries, ultimately reducing their lifespan. EV batteries hate extreme temperatures and perform best when the temperature is normal. While on your road trip, it’s important that you drive along routes with charging stations. You never can tell when next you get to see another charging station. You can use the opportunity to allow your EV to rest a little before continuing.
Depending on the distance from your abode to your destination, you should choose hotels with charging stations. This will enable you to charge your car when done for the day so that you can continue the next day. There are many accommodations with charging stations, so you should opt for one. You can spend the night at the hotel before continuing your journey the next day. Before setting out on a road trip, you need to ensure that your EV is charged.
Planning a Road Trip with an Electric Car
If you are convinced to undergo that road trip, you need to plan for it first. What are the things that you need for the trip? This is one question that you need to ask yourself whether you are traveling across two states or two cities.
First, you need to know your vehicle – its strengths and weaknesses. Most EVs, including my Tesla Model vehicle, have a certain speed level that ensures the efficiency of the battery. Once you attain between 65 mph and 80 mph, the battery usage becomes efficient. All in all, spend some time with your EV before making your road trip. I didn’t spend so much time with my Tesla Model, and that’s why I skipped certain details about the vehicle while I underwent my road trip. You also need to charge your EV to a reasonable percentage, let’s say 90%. With a regular charger, this can take you more than 24 hours for a good charge, so I advise that you charge your EV overnight.
The next thing is to plan your budget. Expenses are inevitable on road trips, and depending on the travel distance, you might have to spend more than required. You are the only one that knows how long it would take to reach your destination, so you need to plan to calculate your stops. Therefore, you must make some stops on the way to allow you and your vehicle to rest before continuing.
As I mentioned earlier, choose hotels with charging stations to enable you to recharge your vehicle. You can opt for RV parks too, as they are more affordable than renting a room at a hotel. An RV park will provide you with a place to rest and charge your vehicle. One app that can help you with that is PlugShare. PlugShare can let you know your battery range, routes, and available charging stations along your route.
Are Electric Cars Good for Long Road Trips?
Not all-electric cars are good for long road trips. Most EVs with an 80-mile range is considered poor for long road trips. Read on to find out the best vehicles for long road trips.
How Long Do Electric Cars Last on the Road?
It depends on the battery technology, the car manufacturer, and the amount of charge it had before embarking on the road trip. Typically, a fully charged Tesla EVs, Chevrolet, and Audi will last for more than 250 miles on the road. Other car manufactures boast of about 200 miles on the road.
How Do You Charge an Electric Vehicle on a Road Trip?
Charging an EV on a road trip is simple as plugging the charger into your vehicle’s outlet. However, there are three different types of chargers for EVs – Level one, Level two, and Level three chargers.
Level one is the slowest of them all. If your battery is almost empty, it will take about 24 hours to attain a charge of 50 miles. Level two is the most used type, but not the fastest. It can deliver a charge of approximately 28 miles per hour at an average cost of $3/hr. Level three chargers are the fastest. Also known as DCFCs, this charger can again a full charge in less than an hour at an average cost of $20/hr.
What is the Best Electric Car for Long Distance Driving?
Not so many EVs available today are excellent for long-distance driving. Therefore, you need to be more meticulous with your choice, especially if you are the type that does lots of road trips.
Driving the best EV car gives you maximum range. In the case of EVs, being more expensive is better, so these cars for long-distance driving are amongst the most expensive right now.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla brand needs no introduction, as it’s the pioneer in the EV world. The Model 3 is a flagship vehicle from Tesla with an estimated driving range of up to 353 miles (for the long-range version). The lower versions, The Performance, and the Standard Range Plus Version has a maximum range of 315 miles and 263 miles respectively.
Despite boasting of the longest range, the Tesla Model 3 also has arguably the quickest recharge times with the Superchargers. A 30-minute charge can produce up to 350 miles. Regular chargers will take longer to charge up to a reasonable range.
Tesla Model X
If you have a family, this Tesla Model X will be the best option for you. The Model X is the most expensive Tesla EV, costing a retail price of $89,990. This model comes in two versions – the Long-range and the Plaid Version. The Long-range has a maximum driving range of 360 miles, while the Plaid Version has a mile range of 340.
Hyundai Kona Electric Vehicle
Dreaming of riding in an electric subcompact SUV? You should consider the Hyundai Kona Electric, with a driving range of about 258 miles. This vehicle can attain an 80% charge in 58 minutes using a Level 3 DC Fast Charge, long enough to drive you for an estimated 200 miles.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is one of the first American electric vehicles. The 2021 model boasts a driving range of 259 miles. The Bolt model arrives in two versions – the lower LT model and the Premier.
Audi e-Tron
The luxurious 5-passenger Audi e-Tron has a quick charge capacity and an estimated driving range of 222 miles.
EV Road Trip Tips
The trend of road trips started since the pandemic and has come to stay, especially with EVs becoming rampant. If you are looking forward to a road trip in an EV, have the following tips in mind.
- You should get a car that has a good range for long-distance trips. Avoid cars with an 80-mile range for distances above 500 miles, as it will require you to charge it more than required before getting to your destination. If you are looking for an EV with an excellent range, consider purchasing one of the cars mentioned on this list. If you already have an EV with a fairly good range, there’s no point looking for another then. Move to the next tip.
- Use DC fast chargers if your car supports them. These chargers are becoming common and can give your vehicle a quick charge. You can attain an 80% charge in less than 45 minutes, so expect a full charge in an hour. If your vehicle doesn’t support this charger, consider using Level 2 chargers. The downside of these chargers is it takes 2x longer to attain a full charge.
- Always charge your vehicle beforehand and plan your driving route carefully. Use PlugShare to plan your trips.
- If your trip is going to be a long one, plan your accommodation. I recommend staying at hotels with electric charging stations in their garages.
- If no charging station is available in the hotel, use apps like PlugShare and ChargePoint to find chargers around your vicinity.
- Maintain a reasonable range so that the battery doesn’t get extremely hot, which would result in faster drainage. Accelerating and driving up hills can reduce the battery life, so try to minimize those as much as you can.
- EVs drain faster in cold weather, so when hitting the road, ensure you charge more often.
Finally
Electric vehicles are becoming the most viable option for road trips due to the various charging stations available. In addition, the battery range has improved significantly, regardless of the EV model you choose. Most of them are built with Level 3 charging capability, so your vehicles get a reasonable percentage in no time.
If you are planning a road trip in your EV, you shouldn’t get nervous. All you have to do is to follow every tip mentioned in this post. I’m sure your road trip would be more fun and enjoyable since you have all the information beforehand.