Summer vacation is approaching, bringing with it long drives, busy highways, and charging stations that can get quite crowded. Traveling in an electric vehicle takes a bit of planning, but with the right habits, the trip can stay simple, smooth, and enjoyable.
Route planning, choosing stations, battery level, onboard navigation, and payment methods: here are our tips for heading off on vacation in an electric vehicle, stress-free and without any bad surprises.
1. Plan your route before you leave
The best ally for traveling with peace of mind in an electric vehicle is still the trip planner. Set up your vehicle, your preferred operators, and your battery preferences once, and the planner will take care of the rest.
Enter your starting point and destination. Electus will then suggest the most suitable stations along your route.
You’ll get an overview of the estimated trip cost, charging duration, and total travel time. All that’s left to do is hit the road.
2. Use Electus on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Once on the road, access Electus GPS directly through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can start planning from your vehicle’s screen or prepare your trip on your phone, then launch it once connected.
Electus then guides you to your next charging station or your final destination. This gives you navigation truly designed for electric vehicles, without the hassle.
For even more accurate estimates, connect your vehicle directly to Electus. The GPS will then track your battery level in real time and adjust the estimated battery percentage at arrival.
3. Favor stations with multiple charging points
During peak travel periods, some stations can quickly become crowded. To reduce the risk of waiting, favor stations equipped with at least 8 charging points whenever possible.
A station with several rapid chargers offers better turnover and reduces the risk of depending on a single point that’s already in use or temporarily unavailable.
4. Consider getting off the highway
Stations located directly on highway rest areas are convenient, but they’re also among the busiest during vacation periods. A station just a few kilometers from an exit can sometimes be less crowded and cheaper.
The detour is often quickly offset by a shorter wait. It can also be a good opportunity for a real break, away from the bustle of major highway rest stops.
5. Charge mainly up to 80%
At a rapid charging station, charging speed generally slows down significantly once the battery approaches 80%. Depending on the vehicle and conditions, charging from 80% to 100% can take almost as long as charging from 10% to 80%.
To save time and free up the station faster for other drivers, stop your charging session around 80% when your remaining range allows it, then get back on the road.
On a long trip, several short charging stops are often more efficient than a single charge all the way to 100%.
To fully understand how a rapid charging station works and why charging slows down past 80%, check out our dedicated guide:
ChargingLearn how to use a rapid charging station, choose the right connector, start charging and understand why charging power decreases after 80%.
Read the article6. Order your charging badge before you leave
To make your trip easier, remember to order your Electus charging badge. Combined with the Connected Vehicle subscription, it also lets you track your battery level during charging, even from a restaurant or gas station.
The badge makes it easier to start a charging session across more than 500 compatible networks, without needing to create a new account or download a different app at every stop.
Using it also helps you avoid certain bank pre-authorizations required for direct card payments. These can temporarily tie up part of your card’s limit, which can become inconvenient during vacation.
Make sure to order your badge early enough to receive it before you leave. Delivery generally takes between 3 and 10 business days, depending on postal delivery times.
7. Check available charging stations at your destination
Preparation shouldn’t stop at your last highway stop. Before you arrive, also check the charging options available around your vacation spot: hotel, campsite, rental, residence, public parking lot, or a nearby town.
In Electus, be sure to check:
- the operating status of the stations
- the date of the last recorded charging session
- available connectors
- charging power
- opening hours and access conditions
A recent charging session can be a good sign that a station is still in use and likely working properly.
It’s also worth asking your accommodation directly whether a charging solution is available on-site and whether it needs to be booked in advance.
8. Charge before arriving if no reliable station is available
If your destination has no reliable charging solution, avoid planning to arrive with an almost empty battery. Instead, do a rapid charge near your destination before covering the final stretch.
This will give you enough of a buffer for your first trips once there, and let you take your time finding a suitable charging solution.
Hit the road with Electus
A long trip in an electric vehicle shouldn’t be a source of worry. By planning your stops, choosing stations with multiple charging points, and checking the options available at your destination, you significantly reduce the chances of surprises.
With the Electus trip planner, navigation on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the charging badge, you have everything you need to prepare your trip and make the most of your summer vacation.
Plan, charge, and hit the road with peace of mind, with Electus.
