Time and time again, taking a road trip has proved to be a popular way to take a vacation. In fact, for many people this last year it ended up being one of the few ways you could take a vacation without having to worry quite so much about the pandemic. Traditionally, road trips have been done using gas-powered vehicles, if for no other reason than that those were the types of vehicles available. Electric cars are growing increasingly popular though, which could leave you wondering just how to take a road trip using one.
Make an Electric Charger Map
The biggest concern people have about taking an electric car on a road trip is making sure they have enough charge in their car to make it to their destination. The availability of charging stations has improved over the years, but it’s still nowhere near the availability of gas stations. You can find a gas station pretty easily enough without having to worry about it. Until charging stations get to the same point, however, it’s a good idea to make a map of where you can find them along your road trip route. You may find it necessary to plan your trip around where charging stations are, rather than the fastest way to get from point A to point B. It’s also a good idea to have backup options in mind. You may find that the charging station you intended to use is out of order or that there’s a decent number of cars waiting for stations to open. Having a backup option in mind can help your road trip go more smoothly with fewer hiccups.
Choosing a Road-Trip Worthy Vehicle
Not all electric vehicles are created equal. Some will be better suited to going on road trips than others. If you want a purely electric vehicle, you’re better off choosing a make and model with a solid range. You probably won’t want to be trying to find a charging station every 80 miles or so along your route. That said, the more range you have on an electric vehicle, the more it’s going to cost you upfront, generally speaking. Alternatively, you could opt for a hybrid model. There are plug-in hybrids and extended-range hybrids. Both options can help extend your range through a blend of gas and electricity power. When making your decision, examine your vehicle budget and the types of road trips you prefer to take. That can help guide you to the best electric car for your road tripping needs.
Consider Your Range
Range is everything when it comes to electric vehicles and road trips. It’s going to determine how far you can go before you need to charge your car in order to continue your trip. This is one of the essential keys you’ll need in order to successfully plot out your map of charging stations for your trip. Keep in mind that your range can be affected by different conditions, including how you drive, so it’s important to allow some room for variance along the way. This is just one example of a reason why it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in mind.
Get the Most Out of Your Charges
Understanding the factors that impact your range can help you get the most out of each charge, thereby reducing your need to charge up as frequently. When it comes to electric cars, every function of the car runs on electricity. The more functions you use, the more quickly you’re going to drain the car. This applies especially to your heating and air conditioning. While AC can be a great way to keep your car’s interior at peak comfort levels, having it running is going to mean needing to charge up again more quickly. Try reducing your need for AC by tinting your windows. Window tinting will protect you from the sun while driving long hours throughout the day. It will also help keep your car cooler when you aren’t in it so you don’t feel the need to crank the AC quite as strongly when you first get going.
Choosing Your Hotel
As electric vehicles have gained popularity, the general availability of charging stations has improved and will continue to do so. Since the best option for charging your electric car is hands down to do so overnight, choosing a hotel that has charging stations can really make a difference in the experience you have on your road trip. If you aren’t sure if they offer charging stations, you can always call ahead and ask before booking the hotel. If they don’t offer charging stations, ask if they have an outdoor outlet that you can plug into instead.
Rapid Charging Options
There are different kinds of charging stations, each with their own levels of efficiency when it comes to charging up your electric car. While a road trip can allow you the luxury to take more time to stop and enjoy yourself at your leisure, it’s not always a good idea to spend hours upon hours charging your car each time. Vehicles with a rapid charging capacity that can use DC charging are more ideal for road trips. This charging option can have your car mostly charged and ready to go in anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Making the Most of Charging Time
So what do you do with your charging time? Ideally, you would charge your car overnight, but that isn’t always an option on road trips. Many electric vehicle road trippers find success by planning their charging stops around meal times and activities. You can bring your own things to do or do some exploring around the area. Add this to your itinerary when making your charging map to help you make the most of the options available to you. Just make sure you’re mindful of electric vehicle charging etiquette.
It is possible to take a road trip in an electric car. The infrastructure to support electric vehicles is becoming more prominent, making it more feasible for owners of electric vehicles to use them as transportation for road trips. That said, it’s not nearly available to the same extent as it is for gas-powered options. Since these vehicles are still quite new, relatively speaking, it will take extra planning and preparation. Take the time to carefully plan out your next road trip vacation using your electric car to create an experience that’s memorable in a good way and helps protect the environment.
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