You're heading off on holiday with your electric car – exciting times ahead! But have you thought about how to maximise your EV's range? Is your route well planned? Where should you park when temperatures soar? And what should you do if you run into charging issues or experience problems with your vehicle?
In this blog, we share practical tips to help you enjoy a worry-free journey with your EV!
Before you leave...
Plan ahead
Whenever you're travelling with an electric vehicle, it's highly recommended to plan your route in advance. You can either prepare it in detail or simply take a quick look beforehand so you know where public charging infrastructure is available along the way. Make sure to double-check that your charge card(s) are accepted at the public charge points you expect to use during your journey.
Nowadays, most navigation apps, charging apps and even some vehicle manufacturer apps allow you to plan your route while taking available charging infrastructure into account. Some of these apps can also factor in your vehicle's driving range, helping you map out the most efficient route.
Travelling abroad with your company EV? Make sure to read your employer's Car Policy beforehand so you're familiar with the arrangements regarding the use of your company car and charge card outside your home country.
Take the outside temperature into account
If you're travelling to a warmer destination, be prepared for the impact of high temperatures. Hot weather can reduce the performance of an EV battery, as more energy is required to keep the battery cool. This may have a noticeable effect on your vehicle's driving range. Unfortunately, very high summer temperatures have become increasingly common in recent years. When planning your journey, allow for the possibility that your EV's range may decrease. We'll explain this in more detail later in this article.
Additional preparations you can make
If you'd like to plan your journey in more detail, it's worth researching how busy public charging stations along your route tend to be. Checking Google Reviews for specific charging locations can often give you an idea of how crowded they are during the holiday season. If a particular charging location is known to be consistently busy when you expect to pass by, consider using a DC fast charger away from the motorway, such as one of the popular Fastned stations. In countries like France, for example, you'll often find fast chargers at supermarkets or alternative service stations located just off the motorway. This can help you avoid long queues at the busiest motorway charging locations.
Key takeaways
Plan your route in advance.
Use navigation and charging apps to help you plan your journey.
Take reduced driving range in hot weather into account.
Optional: Research the typical occupancy of fast charging stations along your route before you leave.
On the road...
Tips to drive efficiently and maximise your range
If your vehicle has an ECO mode or a similar feature, make use of it. This optimises the use of your EV battery, helping to increase your vehicle's driving range.
Unlike a petrol or diesel car, an EV consumes considerably more energy at higher motorway speeds. It's therefore well worth considering reducing your speed slightly. For example, driving at 110 km/h instead of 130 km/h on French motorways can make a noticeable difference to your energy consumption and overall driving range.
In hot weather, try to avoid setting your air conditioning to its maximum cooling level. Although several studies show that the impact on driving range is relatively limited, it still consumes additional energy. Does your vehicle have seat ventilation? If so, consider using them instead of turning the air conditioning up to its coldest setting, as cooling only the seats requires much less energy than cooling the entire cabin. Every little bit helps when maximising your range.
The usual fuel-saving tips also apply to electric vehicles. Check your tyre pressure regularly, as underinflated tyres increase energy consumption. A roof box also creates significant aerodynamic drag, so it's best to leave it at home unless you really need it. Likewise, avoid carrying unnecessary weight. The heavier your vehicle, the greater the impact on its driving range. For example, consider leaving the beach chairs at home if you don't really need them.
If possible, limit DC fast charging to when it's really necessary
DC fast charging naturally generates heat. When outside temperatures are already high, this additional heat can have a negative effect on your battery—especially if you rely on fast charging frequently.
Of course, using a DC fast charger is a convenient way to get back on the road quickly with minimal waiting time. Some EV models even include a battery preconditioning function that prepares the battery for fast charging. However, when you arrive at your holiday destination, it's worth choosing AC charging (up to 22 kW) whenever possible. AC charging generates much less heat during the charging process, making it a better option for your EV battery over the long term.
Whenever possible, also follow the general rule of charging your battery to 80% rather than 100%. This is healthier for your battery and also saves time, as charging slows down considerably once the battery reaches 80%.
Try to avoid the lunchtime peak
Where possible, avoid charging during the busiest part of the day. We often see the highest demand for public charge points along motorways between 12:00 and 14:00. If your journey allows, try to charge shortly before midday or after 2:00 pm to avoid queues.
Experiencing charging issues?
If you're at a public charge point and you're unable to start a charging session, you'll need to contact the charge point operator directly. You'll always find a telephone number displayed on the charge point itself, allowing you to reach the operator responsible for that location. STROOHM does not have direct access to public charge points operated by other providers and is therefore unable to resolve issues with third-party charging infrastructure.
TIP: Most charging apps, including the new STROOHM App, indicate whether a charge point is operational or currently out of service. That's why it's always a good idea to use your preferred charging app when searching for a public charge point, as you'll immediately see whether it's available before you arrive.
When taking a break...
Park in the shade whenever possible
If you're stopping for a quick break along the way, it's best to park your vehicle in the shade or in a covered or underground car park whenever possible. This helps keep your EV battery relatively cool. Leaving your vehicle parked in direct sunlight for an extended period can cause the battery to heat up significantly, which may reduce its performance. In fact, once the battery temperature exceeds 50°C, there is a risk of causing long-term damage to the battery. Given the increasingly hot summers we've been experiencing across Europe, this is certainly not an unrealistic scenario.
If you have no choice but to park in direct sunlight, using a windscreen sunshade can also help reduce the overall temperature inside your vehicle.
Before setting off again, let your vehicle cool down
On particularly hot days, it's a good idea to allow your vehicle to cool down before continuing your journey. Simply switch the vehicle on, let the battery management system do its work, turn on the air conditioning if necessary, and wait a few minutes. This allows the battery to cool down, ensuring it's back at an optimal operating temperature before you set off again.
With these tips, you'll be well prepared for travelling with your electric vehicle. We wish you a fantastic trip and safe travels!