With temps soaring in the 90s and 100s, we are officially in the thick of summer. With everyone being mostly landlocked with COVID shutdowns and uncertainties of summer travel, many are taking an adventure on the road. For some of us road trippers, that means a road trip in an electric car.
If you are the new owner of an electric vehicle, you may be thinking about what kind of adventures are on the horizon. Whether you’re going on a quick weekend road trip to the nearest beach or lake, or a long, multi-state journey, here’s how to plan ahead in your EV (electric vehicle) to have a summer road trip you’ll always remember.
Can You Take a Long Road Trip in an Electric Vehicle?
Yes, you can absolutely take a long road trip in your electric vehicle. In fact, you’ll probably wonder why you didn’t do it sooner! Not only will you save a lot of money in gas expenses (on average, about $350 round trip for a 1,300-mile journey in a 6-cylinder vehicle) but you won’t have to worry about oil changes either.
By saving money on gas, you’ll have the extra money in your pocket to stay at a resort hotel along the way or splurge once you reach your destination. Check out a few of my top small-town destinations in Texas. If you are in Virginia and love wine, there are over 300 wineries to check out.
How Far Before I Need to Recharge my EV?
With the rising figures in electric vehicle purchases, one of the first questions a lot of new electric car owners ask is, ‘How far can I drive it before it needs a recharge?’
Every electric vehicle is different, but the short answer is this: the average EV models can go about 150 miles before you’ll need to recharge the battery, with the exception is the Tesla Model S, which can travel about 250+ miles on a single charge. Many of the newer 2020 models, like the Chevy Bolt, are averaging 230 miles per charge.
According to Million Mile Secrets, the following EVs average these ranges for road trips:
- Tesla Model 3 – 310 miles
- Tesla Model S – 370 miles
- Tesla Model X – 325 miles.
- Chevrolet Bolt EV – 238 miles
- Nissan Leaf – 226 miles
- BMW i3 – 153 miles (up to 200 miles with range extender)
- Volkswagen e-Golf – 125 miles
- Audi e-Tron – 204 miles
(Check out EV Charging Basics)
Planning Your Electric Car Route
Once you decide on where you’re going, you’ll want to plan your route with hotels and charging stations along the way. Understand your EVs range and decide when and where you’ll stop along the way. Confirm that your charging stations or hotels are open and available before you go. Stay on the main routes to ensure there are plenty of charging options and hotels.
Taking an electric vehicle on the road for long periods of time does come with its own challenges in having to stop often to recharge, but if you’re in no hurry to reach your destination, you’ll find a leisurely road trip very pleasant.
Pre-Roadtrip Checkup on Your EV
If you’re accustomed to maintaining gas-powered cars, you’ll find that EVs are much simpler, though maintenance is required. Just like any vehicle before a road trip, there are safety checks you’ll want to take before packing up and heading out. Make sure the battery is functioning correctly and holding a charge, your wiper fluid is full and that the windshield wiper blades are functioning properly. Check all turn signals and headlights, brake fluid and coolant fluid levels, brake pads, tire pressure and make sure a spare tire with tools are present.
What About Charging Stations Along the Way?
Rest assured that there will be electric charging stations on your route, as long as you plan the trip in advance. There are more charging stations set up now than ever before. In fact, the number of publicly accessible charging stations reached nearly 22,000 in 2019, offering about 55,000 outlets, according to the Alternative Fueling Station Locator.
You can also stop at many major businesses, gas stations as well as hotels and restaurant locations with recharging stations. Check out handy apps such as PlugShare to find nearby charging stations, or search for electric charging stations near you. If you are a Tesla owner, there are “Supercharger Stations,” throughout some of the most scenic areas in the United States, which offer full charges in less than an hour.
5 Important Tips to Prepare You For a Road Trip in Your Electric Car
- Plan a trip to a major city. Going to remote locations or small towns can be an adventure, but remote means fewer resources (and charging stations) available to you.
- Plan your trip in advance using trip planner apps specifically designed for electric vehicles. Carefully planning your routes will ensure a safe and successful road-trip. Mapping tools like Google Maps and PlugShare can help you find charging stations along your route. Check to see if your hotel has charging stations, or if you can charge up while visiting a National Park or a restaurant.
- Drive easy to reduce over-consumption of your battery use. Over-braking, using smartphones, or watching movies can really use up the battery life of your vehicle.
- As with any trip you take, EV or gas-powered, sign up for AAA or check with your insurance provider before you leave to make sure you have roadside assistance.
- Keep a road trip safety kit with you that includes water, a blanket, road flares, and snacks in your car with you. Additional safety gadgets like a portable solar panel and a Garmin InReach GPS device with built-in Bluetooth will come in handy if you find yourself out of juice or in a remote area.
Whether you’re heading to a lake retreat destination, a mountain resort, or big city getaway, our country has something to offer everyone. We are in a strange time right now, for sure. But maybe it’s also a really great time to take a look at where we live and reflect on what we all can do to make it better.
Remember to take your camera, and stop often to take in the scenery.