How to Plan a Summer Road Trip with an EV

Picture this: the sun is shining, the windows are down, your Summer Hits playlist is blasting from the speakers. The season of summer road trips is finally here, and if you’re wondering how best to prepare for a long trip with an EV, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our ultimate guide to helping you plan a road trip with your EV this summer.

Plan Your Route

With any road trip, planning the route is an important step when preparing, but it’s even more so with an EV. You need to know how far you can travel before you’ll need to charge your vehicle, and know where to find charging stations for when you need a top-up. Make sure you keep timings in mind, checking that the charge points support rapid charging if you need to be back on the road quickly. 

Remember if you’re planning to stop anywhere overnight on your journey, it’s worth making sure your hotel has an on-site charging station so you can set off with peace of mind the next day. 

Download Apps

One of the easiest ways to find charging stations along your route is by using an app. There are so many available now that it can be easy to clutter your phone trying to find the best one, but the two we would most recommend are: 

• Pod Point Network - Reliable, fair pricing and conveniently located with 6200 charging bays across the UK. 

• ZapMap - The UK’s number one universal charging app with thousands of charge stations and the option to filter the types of chargers you need, making it incredibly convenient. 

• PlugShare - Handy if you’re heading further afield throughout Europe, guiding you to the best public charging locations. You can also read reviews and see photos of the charge points submitted by other users.

Pre-Journey Inspection: 

As a general rule of thumb, you should always perform vehicle inspections before any long journey. It may seem a pain, but taking a few minutes to check your car is in tip-top shape is much better than having a breakdown halfway through your journey. 

Vehicle inspection checklist:

1. Charge your battery to 80% or more

2. Test your brakes

3. Check that your tyre pressure is correct (remember to account for the extra weight of your luggage)

4. Make sure your lights work

5. Top up your screen wash 

6. Check the electrics (windows, air con, etc.)

8. Pack your charging cable (if your charger is untethered)

Pack for comfort: 

Since a heavy load can drain your EV’s battery quicker than usual, it’s always best to pack light. That being said, make sure not to skimp on essential items that will make your journey more comfortable and relaxing. 

No trip is complete without: 

• Sunglasses

• Games to entertain passengers

• Chargers for phones, tablets, e-books, etc. 

• Drinks & snacks 

• Toiletries (tissues, wet wipes, hand gel, etc.)

• Loose change

• First-aid kit

• Torch

• Warm clothes (for early mornings and late nights)

Final tips for a flawless road trip: 

Long car journeys can be a lot of fun, but they can also be draining for both the driver and passengers. Here are a few final tips to ensure your trip runs smoothly and you enjoy it to the fullest:

• Take regular breaks (this fits particularly well with en route charging!)

• Prep a playlist - nothing makes driving more fun than having a few rounds of Carpool Karaoke!

• Be sure to stop when you’re tired. 

• Just breathe - traffic won’t improve no matter how stressed or frustrated you get, so try to stay relaxed.