An electric vehicle is seen charging in New Jersey on June 11, 2024.
Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR
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Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR
Are you planning to take a trip in an electric car? Or are you worried about running out of battery during a long journey?
Charging infrastructure has improved in recent years, and newer vehicles charge much faster than previous generations. But what you drive, where you drive, and how far in advance you plan still matter.
Car travel may play a disproportionate role in the public debate about electric vehicles. The vast majority of electric vehicle charging occurs at home, not at public fast-charging stations. Many households with electric vehicles also own a gasoline or hybrid vehicle that they prefer for long trips.
Some electric vehicle owners ignore the range anxiety because they simply don't take many road trips, Ford CEO Jim Farley said in a recent article love letter to electric vehicleswrote that Ford research shows that half of Americans drive more than 150 miles “four days or less per year.” Owning a car that's less expensive and more practical 361 days a year, but a little complicated on your annual vacation commute, might be a better deal than having the dream travel machine.
Yet being able to go on a road trip is a priority for many people. Here are some tips to make a long trip in an electric car more relaxing.
Before you decide:
- Think about your vehicle. With the exception of a few models (like the older Nissan Leaf), most modern electric vehicles can handle a long drive, but the experience will vary greatly. Some electric vehicles, like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Kia EV6, can charge very quickly, Fast charging is possible in less than 20 minutes. Others, like the affordable Chevrolet Bolt, charge slowly, taking an hour or more. Tesla’s routing software is excellent, and Tesla’s Supercharger network, now open to Fords and Rivians, is best in class. If you’re renting a car for a road trip, opt for a Tesla or at least one with a fast-charging option. If you’re taking your own car, familiarize yourself with its capabilities.
- Think about your destination. California has plenty of chargers, while parts of Wyoming are virtually devoid of chargers. Charger availability can vary widely, not only from state to state or city to city, but also from state to state and neighborhood to neighborhood. Research your specific route before deciding whether to do it on battery power.
Before you leave:
- Prepare your car. Just like with a petrol car, it’s a good idea to check your tyre pressure before you hit the road – although you don’t need to check the oil, of course! And charge up. Many electric vehicle owners keep their cars at a maximum of 80% charge for everyday driving, in order to extend battery life. But it's on road trips that this full 100% charge comes in handy, and sometimes a 100% charge won't harm your battery. If you can, schedule your charge to reach 100% shortly before you leave.
- Check your route. Plug your destination into your car’s navigation system or an EV route-planning app like A Better Route Planner to see what chargers will be available along your route. When traveling by car, you’ll want to look for DC fast chargers, not Level 2 chargers, and preferably ones that can match or exceed your car’s maximum charging speed. Also, check reviews and opt for chargers with higher reliability scores. And even if you don’t drive a Tesla, you can download the Tesla app in case there’s a Supercharger with Magic Dock (which means any EV can use it) along your route.
- Look for hotels with electric vehicle chargers (and decide if it’s worth it). Charging overnight at hotels can be convenient, especially if you’re in a slow-charging car. But check reviews (like on the charger review app Plugshare ) to make sure hotel chargers are reliable. Also check prices. Some hotels charge for free. Others can cost $30 or more to charge a medium-sized battery, which is as much as a fast charger. And have a backup plan, especially if the hotel only has one outlet, for another way to charge.
During your trip:
- Pack intentionally. You should never overload a vehicle. But even if you are within the weight limit of your electric vehicle, if you charge your vehicle Or towing a traileryou will significantly reduce your range. This may not be a problem if you have planned for it, but don't be surprised!
- Watch your speed. Of all the factors that can reduce your range (temperature, wind, altitude), your speed is the easiest to control. The faster you go, the more often you'll have to stop to recharge your vehicle.
- Turn on the air conditioning. Yes, air conditioning affects your range, just like it affects the fuel economy of a gasoline car. But air conditioning in the summer is not such a big drain In winter, your car can double as a heater, and a road trip is miserable without it. One thing that can help, whether it's cold or hot, is to turn on the air conditioning while your car is still charging. (On a winter road trip, you might also see a significant increase in range if you rely more on the heated seats and less on the heater.)
- Listen to your car. Because external factors can reduce your autonomy — and because some cars are less precise than others To determine your likely range, you may need to stop and charge earlier than expected. If your vehicle sends you warning signals that it can't reach its destination without a charge, don't ignore them.
- Charge to 80%. On a fast charger, the charging speed drops off quickly once the car reaches 80%. You'll save a lot of time by disconnecting the battery and moving on once you've reached that limit. On slower chargers, such as overnight hotel chargers, you can continue charging up to 100% if you plan on using the car the next day.
- Multitasking. Meal breaks. Bathroom visits. Snack runs. Stretching interludes. Playground visits. Shopping. Whenever possible, use your recharge stops as a chance to recharge. out of your car. This isn’t possible with all chargers. But more and more companies are competing to install chargers near amenities, which can make a charging stop feel less like a hassle and more like a break.
