Summer road trips in an electric car: 8 tips for stress-free travel
The summer holidays are approaching, bringing long journeys, busy motorways and charging stations that can sometimes become overcrowded. Travelling in an electric car requires a little preparation, but with the right habits, your journey can remain simple, smooth and enjoyable.
Route planning, charging station selection, battery level, in-car navigation and payment methods: here are our tips for enjoying your summer holiday road trip in an electric car without stress or unpleasant surprises.
1. Plan your journey before setting off
The best tool for stress-free electric car travel is a route planner. Configure your vehicle, preferred charging networks and battery preferences once, and the planner will take care of the rest.
Simply enter your starting point and destination. Electus will then suggest the most suitable charging stations along your route.
You will get an overview of the estimated journey cost, charging times and total travel time. All that is left to do is hit the road.
2. Use Electus with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Once you are on the road, you can access Electus navigation directly through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can start planning your journey from your vehicle’s display or prepare it on your phone before launching it once your phone is connected.
Electus will then guide you to your next charging station or directly to your destination. You can enjoy navigation designed specifically for electric cars, without the hassle.
For even more accurate estimates, connect your vehicle directly to Electus. The navigation system will then monitor your battery level in real time and adjust the estimated battery percentage at your destination accordingly.
3. Choose stations with several charging points
During busy summer travel periods, some charging stations can quickly become overcrowded. To reduce the risk of waiting, choose stations with at least 8 charging points whenever possible.
A station with several rapid chargers allows vehicles to rotate more frequently and reduces the risk of relying on a charger that is already occupied or temporarily unavailable.
4. Consider leaving the motorway
Charging stations located directly at motorway service areas are convenient, but they are also among the busiest during the holidays. A station located just a few kilometres from a motorway exit may be less crowded and less expensive.
The short detour can quickly be offset by a shorter waiting time. It can also be an opportunity to enjoy a proper break away from the crowds at major motorway service areas.
5. Charge mainly up to 80%
At a rapid charging station, the charging speed usually drops significantly as the battery approaches 80%. Depending on the vehicle and charging conditions, charging from 80% to 100% can therefore take almost as long as charging from 10% to 80%.
To save time and free up the charger more quickly for other drivers, stop charging at around 80%, whenever your remaining range allows, and continue your journey.
On a long journey, several short charging stops are often more efficient than charging to 100% in a single session.
6. Order your charging card before you leave
To make your journey easier, remember to order your Electus charging card. When combined with the Connected Vehicle subscription, it also allows you to monitor your battery level while charging, even from a restaurant or motorway service area.
The card makes it easier to start a charging session across more than 500 compatible charging networks, without having to create a new account or download a different app at every stop.
Using a charging card can also help you avoid certain bank card pre-authorisations required when paying directly by card. These pre-authorisations can temporarily use up part of your card’s payment limit, which may become inconvenient while travelling.
Order your charging card early enough to receive it before you leave. Delivery usually takes between 3 and 10 working days, depending on postal delivery times.
7. Check the chargers available at your destination
Your preparation should not stop at your final motorway charging break. Before arriving, check the charging options available around your holiday destination, including hotels, campsites, holiday rentals, residences, public car parks and nearby towns.
In Electus, check the following information:
- the current operating status of the chargers;
- the date of the most recently recorded charging session;
- the available connector types;
- the available charging power;
- opening hours and access conditions.
A recent charging session can be a useful indication that a charger is still being used and is likely to be operational.
You should also contact your accommodation directly to ask whether charging is available on site and whether it needs to be booked in advance.
8. Charge before arriving if no reliable charger is available
When your destination does not offer a reliable charging solution, avoid arriving with an almost empty battery. Instead, complete a rapid charging session near your destination before driving the final few kilometres.
This will leave you with enough range for your first local journeys and allow you to find a suitable charging solution without any urgency.
Hit the road with Electus
A long journey in an electric car should not be a source of anxiety. By planning your charging stops, selecting stations with several charging points and checking the charging options available at your destination, you can significantly reduce the risk of unexpected problems.
With the Electus route planner, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay navigation, and the Electus charging card, you have everything you need to prepare your journey and make the most of your summer holidays.
Plan, charge and travel with confidence using Electus.