Need tips to plan your road trip on EV?
Going on a road trip with friends or family can be a journey of a lifetime. Be it a rental car or your electric vehicle, planning is the key to a successful trip. As electric vehicles and their infrastructure are still developing in India, you need to consider several factors.
These include charging stations, route stops, battery range and time management. To give you a headstart, here’s a handy EV road trip planner covering everything.
Let’s go!
The first step in planning the road trip is to chalk out the stops you might take. This will help you plan the entire route.
Focus on the roads, flyovers or intersections between the starting and ending points. It's a great way to calculate the time required to reach your destination. Then, determine where you may stop to eat or recharge the vehicle.
Next, find the charging stations near these stops via Google Maps. It’ll help you grab a quick snack or use the restroom while the vehicle charges. Plus, you can also reduce the number of stops if you plan your road trip on EV this way.
After the initial EV route planning, check the battery consumption and range of the EV. Look at the manufacturer’s guide or user manual to see how long the car runs on a full charge. Moreover, also look at the kilometres it can cover.
Based on this information, you can plan your stops better. If you feel a particular stop is too time-consuming for the battery, avoid it. Similarly, battery and mileage data can assist you in deciding the most convenient path to reach your destination.
Follow these tricks to maximise battery usage –
Always keep your battery fully charged before a trip
Avoid loading the car with excessively heavy stuff, which strains the vehicle and battery
While booking a hotel or a homestay, ask if they have electric vehicle charging facilities. Check if there are voltage sockets to charge your vehicle. Moreover, the hotel must have a stable electric supply with generators.
This will allow you to rest peacefully while your battery gets charged. Moreover, enquire about the EV charging facilities in garages and driveways. If your homestay has it, it will save you a lot of time. However, these expenses might be included in the parking fee.
Then, find out the charging stations near these hotels. So, even if the place doesn't have proper charging points, you'll never run out of battery.
If you are travelling under a scorching sun, the electric vehicle will probably become heated with time. With more heat inside the car, the air conditioner will have to work harder to cool the interiors. As a result, it can drain the battery, reducing overall mileage.
So, when you plan your road trip on EV, keeping the car interiors cool must be on the checklist. To tackle this, try travelling when it’s not extremely hot, like 40 Degrees. Also, run the AC at around 24 degrees to maintain the temperature inside.
Tip: If you have a sunroof, shut it down while travelling. Further, find a shade to stop and rest that'll cool your vehicle down.
Planning a road trip with an electric car will be incomplete without taking an earthing kit.
Even if the hotel doesn't have earthing, this kit can help you charge the vehicle safely. The earthing kit will protect you and the car from sudden electricity spikes. So, make room for the kit while packing your car with your belongings!
Another important part of the electric car road trip planner is cautious driving. Drive within a speed limit of 40 to 60 km/hr to extend battery life. It will also keep you and other passengers safe during the journey.
Also, when you plan your road trip on EV, mark the nearest mechanics and garages. It’ll save you time fixing the car and completing the road trip on time.
