If you are an electric car (EV) owner or enthusiast, you may be wondering how to plan a road trip with your EV in the UK. Road trips are a great way to explore new places, enjoy scenic views and have fun with your friends or family. However, road trips with an EV can also be challenging, as you need to consider factors such as range, charging and route planning. In this blog post, we will give you some tips and tricks on how to plan a road trip with your EV in the UK.
Check your EV’s range and compatibility
The first thing you need to do is to check how far your EV can travel on a single charge and what type of chargers it is compatible with. Different EV models have different ranges and charging speeds, so you need to know your EV’s capabilities and limitations. You can find this information in your EV’s manual or online.
You also need to know what type of chargers your EV can use. There are three main types of chargers in the UK: slow, fast and rapid. Slow chargers can take up to 12 hours to fully charge an EV, fast chargers can take up to 4 hours, and rapid chargers can take up to 30 minutes1. You can find out what type of chargers your EV can use by looking at the plug shape and colour.
Plan your route and stops
The next thing you need to do is to plan your route and stops. You can use online tools such as EV Maps or Google Maps to find the best route for your road trip and locate the available charging stations along the way. You can also filter the results by charger type, speed, cost and availability.
You should plan your route to include stops with en route chargers that match your EV’s range and compatibility. You should also consider factors such as traffic, weather, terrain and driving style, as they can affect your EV’s range and performance5. You should aim to stop at least every two hours for safety reasons and avoid letting your battery drop below 20%.
Prepare for contingencies
The last thing you need to do is to prepare for contingencies. Even if you plan your road trip carefully, you may encounter unexpected situations such as charger malfunctions, delays or detours. You should always have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.
Some of the things you can do to prepare for contingencies are:
- Carry a portable charger or a cable that can plug into a standard socket in case of emergency.
- Download offline maps and apps that can help you find alternative charging stations or routes.
- Join a breakdown service that can assist you if your EV runs out of charge or breaks down.
- Pack some snacks, drinks, entertainment and warm clothing in case you have to wait for a long time at a charging station.
Conclusion
Planning a road trip with your EV in the UK can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience if you follow these tips and tricks. You can explore new places, save money on fuel and reduce your environmental impact. However, planning a road trip with your EV in the UK can also be a complex and costly process that requires professional guidance and support. That’s why ECC UK is here to help you.
ECC UK is a tech services company that provides EV charging installations for businesses, hotels, schools, councils and more. We offer a range of EV charging solutions that suit your needs and budget. We also help you get government grants and incentives for installing EV charging stations at your premises. If you want to learn more about our services or get a free quote, please contact us today.
