Electric vehicle sales have skyrocketed in recent months among American consumers, meaning there will be many more EV road trips in the near future. Many new EV owners will learn the tricks of the trade the hard way, but you are one of the lucky ones. Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip in an electric car.
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EV Battery Maintenance
The most challenging part of EV ownership is proper battery maintenance. Your car’s battery life will change over time just like your other electronics, but the stakes are clearly higher in this situation. Here are some must-know tips for preserving your EV’s battery life.
1. Rest Your Battery
When you’re done driving for the day, turn off your EV and let the battery rest for 10-15 minutes. The battery has been working hard, so you need to allow a brief recovery period before hooking it up to a power source. This step helps prevent the battery from overheating or overcharging, preserving its long-term health.
2. Don’t Charge 100%
You might be tempted to charge your car to 100% on your trip, but this is counterproductive. EVs that constantly get fully charged often have shorter life spans because they work harder to contain that much power. The adverse effects can be even more severe if you charge from 0 to 100.
Whenever you pull over to recharge, 80% is a healthy percentage to aim for. EV batteries operate better at medium-high power than at full or low. The device is less likely to overheat, and you spend less time at each charging station.
3. Charge the Slow Way
Today’s EVs have access to direct current fast charging (DC fast charging) stations, which can charge the battery from 0 to 100 in just 20 minutes. This feature seems convenient for long road trips but could decrease the car’s range. It fills the battery with an uncustomary amount of power in a short period, putting more stress on the vehicle.
It’s better to charge the slow way. Your EV is more accustomed to the steady power surge of the standard charging method. However, you can still use the fast charging mode when no other options are nearby during your trip.
Planning Charging Stops
Planning your charging stops is the key to your road trip’s success. EV charging stations fall into three levels that have different costs and charging speeds:
- Level 1: The first level operates at 120 volts and charges about three to five miles per hour. It’s too slow for charging in most road trip situations.
- Level 2: Level 2 creates 208 to 240 volts of power. Hybrid vehicles can go from 0 to 100 as quickly as one hour, while it takes four to 10 hours for strictly electric vehicles to charge from 0 to 100.
- Level 3: This level is the fastest, charging up to 20 miles per minute using direct current (DC) voltage. This level is the most common option at public EV charging stations.
Level 2 chargers should be your top priority during your road trip. Level 3 might be quicker, but remember the downsides of DC fast charging. Your battery’s long-term health is more important than spending less time at the station. Only use level 3 chargers if you’re pressed for time or can’t access another location.
In any case, ensure you plan for scheduled and unscheduled stops when mapping out your trip. You can’t expect your EV to drive the same number of miles after each recharge. It will fluctuate based on the weather, your driving habits, traffic conditions, and many other factors.
Because you can’t predict your battery’s range each time, you should use an EV travel app to locate the closest charging stations and map out the most optimal route. Some even have price comparison features and highlight stations with shorter wait times.
EV-Friendly Driving Habits
Although EV battery ranges are vulnerable to outside influences, you can still practice efficient driving habits to maximize the battery’s range and keep it healthy. Some also apply to gas-powered vehicles:
- Try not to slam on the gas or brakes.
- Take advantage of your EV’s regenerative braking function.
- Keep your tires properly inflated.
- Pack light so your vehicle has an easier workload.
- Use the A/C and heating system sparingly.
- Avoid adding recreational exterior modifications, as they could drain more power from your EV.
- Take the most direct route possible to reduce the hours on your battery.
Your road trip will go noticeably better if you stick to these habits and keep your EV’s battery in good shape. However, the weather conditions might fight against you.
Adjusting for the Temperature
A rapid spike or drop in outdoor temperatures can drastically affect your EV’s battery performance. You need to adjust your driving and charging habits accordingly. Here’s how to minimize the effects of extreme cold and extreme heat.
1. Extreme Cold
EVs can lose a significant amount of battery power when temperatures plunge below 40 F. One study found that below-freezing temps reduced an EV’s range by 20% overnight. Running the heater on full blast can also decrease the battery’s range. What can you do?
It’s best to use your car’s heating system in moderation. Keep the heat on low and turn it off when the indoor temperature gets to a comfortable level. You could also wear a coat while driving and skip the heating system entirely.
You won’t be able to avoid a drop in performance while driving your EV in cold temperatures. The only thing you can do is be more attentive to your habits.
2. Extreme Heat
High temperatures can also impact your EV’s range, and you can’t do much to prevent it. The only thing you can do is store your car in a cool place, ideally a garage, to minimize the effects. You should also try to park in a shaded spot when charging your vehicle, taking a bathroom break, and making other stops on your trip.
Like the heating system, relying too much on your vehicle’s A/C can quickly drain the battery. In fact, too much usage can be more negatively impactful than driving in extreme heat. If you start to feel warm behind the wheel, roll the windows down instead.
New Car, New Responsibilities
A new electric car comes with new ownership responsibilities. These tips will set you up for a fun and memorable EV road trip experience.
Author Bio:
Jack Shaw is a men’s lifestyle writer at Modded.com. He loves hiking and is looking forward to planning his next trip to a national park.
