How To Perfectly Plan A Road Trip In An Electric Vehicle
S&P Global Mobility forecasts that sales of electric vehicles will make a huge leap from the 4.6% reported in 2021 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) up to a whopping 40% by 2030. By 2040, car sales are predicted to be almost entirely electric vehicles, according to Progressive.
With climate change on the horizon and renewable energy quickly becoming the clear financial and environmental winner against fossil fuel sources, it's no secret why countries and corporations alike are pushing for increased infrastructure to support the global transition to electric vehicles.
So ... all that is to say this is the absolute perfect time to get ahead of the curve and become an electric vehicle road-trip planning expert. By 2040, when all your friends and family are just picking up their first EV, you'll be their go-to resource for making their annual road trip to wherever an all-electric breeze.
From the best driving habits to conserve battery to preparing for a few charging-slash-rest stops between home and your destination, we'll cover it all. So pack your charging cable, organize your playlist, and get ready to hit the road in eco-conscious style.
Stop less, road trip more
As car manufacturers continue to innovate, the average driving range for EVs increases year after year. Today, the maximum range for EVs is between 200 to 500 miles, which also happens to be around the average distance one-way for most road trippers in America. However, maximum range and actual range are two different things.
Long time EV drivers will know that their car's driving range estimations are just that ... estimations. To maximize that number, drivers need to drive conservatively and stay aware of a few factors that may decrease your range due to circumstances both within and outside of their control.
Firstly, while it might seem counterintuitive, you need to drive slowly to get to your destination quickly. Your battery will be able to take you much farther if you're not putting a ton of demand on it to move your electric motor faster for a long period of time.
Secondly, driving in cold weather can leech your charge more quickly and even more so if you have the heat blasting. You may also find that keeping your air conditioner on high will reduce your charge, too.
Finally, if you're able to find a route to your destination that maintains an even level of elevation rather than making a lot of uphill climbs, this will extend your charge. Obviously, sometimes the uphill shortcut will make more sense than going out of your way to avoid it, so be sure to weigh your options accordingly.
Plan your stops like a pro
There are many instances where you might be able to avoid making a stop to charge your vehicle on the way to your destination. However, for road trips that are more than 3 hours long or 300 miles in distance this will almost certainly not be the case.
So, when planning out your driving route, you'll want to make sure to locate the best charging stations for your particular vehicle. Some use CHAdeMO and others use the SAE Combined Charging System. Tesla owners should always aim to use Supercharger stations but they can also use CHAdeMO chargers in a pinch.
Download the Chargeway app to more easily find the best charging stations for your particular car and pin these on your preferred GPS application so you can easily select them if you suddenly and unexpectedly need one (looking at you lead foots).
Planning your charging stops in advance will also give you the opportunity to choose charging stations with the best amenities for you and your road trip crew. While most stations these days are located at major rest stops or malls with lots of fast food options nearby, you might want to find locations with a little more panache like this Tesla Supercharger at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo or the beautiful and futuristic looking Sortimo Innovationspark in Zusmarshausen, Germany.