We’ve all heard about the benefits of electric vehicles (EV). They’re environmentally friendly, don’t require fuel, have lower maintenance costs, are energy efficient and reduce emissions. It all sounds great, right? But what about the one thing all EV owners — and potential buyers — are thinking about: range anxiety.
Will there be a charger on your planned route? Will you be able to make it in between stations? Running out of power on a random road and waiting for a tow is not the way to have a fun trip, but thankfully it can be avoided. That said, range anxiety shouldn’t be ignored, but it shouldn’t outweigh the huge benefits of driving an EV. With a little planning, you can launch on any fall road trip with confidence. Here are some tips to consider before you go.
Finding Charging Stations
When planning for a trip, the first thing you need to think about is charging stations. There are a number of different websites and apps that make it simple to find charging stations, real-time availability and information on cost. Popular mapping apps even have built-in features that can estimate your car’s battery level upon arrival. The best part? If it looks like you won’t make it, the app will suggest a charging station along your route and the charging time will be included in your trip length. You can also filter charging station search results by charger type, payment method and speed.
Planning Ahead
Knowing how to find charging stations is important, but making sure there’s enough stations along your route is a little different. First, you’ll want to have a good idea of your vehicle’s range. How far can you drive on a single charge? Then, take a look at your preferred EV trip planning apps to search for charging points on your route and estimate whether there will be enough based on your specific EV model and driving preferences. It also goes without saying that you should make sure you fully charge your EV to 100 percent before heading out on a long trip.
Search For an EV Hotel or Campsite
Look for opportunities to sleep in a hotel or campsite where you can charge your vehicle overnight. One app, EVHotels, can help you find out which hotels on your route have chargers — and how fast they charge. If there are no hotels near you, the app can still recommend nearby charging stations. More state and national parks are helping support EV infrastructure by building charging stations, and any campsite with an electric hookup can power EV charging if you have a portable charging cord. States are stepping up too. Michigan recently announced a plan to install EV chargers at state parks and campgrounds. Other states have started to build charging stations on scenic byways, like Colorado’s 236-mile San Juan Scenic Byway, Washington’s White Pass Scenic Byway and New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle.