The growing number of pure-electric vehicles needs a rethink about how you drive for work, at weekends or on holidays.
With restrictions eased and travel bans lifting, now could be a great time to plan a road trip. But you need to carefully think about what it means if you drive a battery electric vehicle.
Experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk are warning drivers about important things to take into account if you want to use an electric-powered car on your journey. It’s wise to download a charging network guide to your mobile device and see what points are available as you travel and then plan your breaks with these in mind, so you’ll need to keep your phone charged and you may have to subscribe to some services.
A spokesman for LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said, “There are some useful things to think about in order to prepare for your trip and by using some of these handy tips, you can concentrate on enjoying your trip, whether exploring a new town or city or enjoying the countryside.”
Don’t unplug your EV at night before your trip
If you leave your vehicle unplugged at night it can lose charge as the battery is cooling and there are other electrical processes taking place. So it is a good idea to keep it plugged in to allow these processes to take place without draining the battery – the vehicle won’t overcharge.
Research your route in advance
If you are looking to take a long journey in your electric vehicle, it is a good idea to plan ahead to look for charging points that are available on your selected route and to check the range of the car used. Route planners can help you to plot the best journey to take and the charging infrastructure is developing all the time.
Use rapid chargers wisely
Rapid chargers can be useful when used appropriately, but not all the time. They can be useful if you need extra charge fast during a road trip and must reach your destination. However, they can cause the battery to heat up and cause the cooling system to kick in, so use sparingly and better to charge the car in advance.
Road trip ‘checklist’
It’s useful to have a routine for checking the basic functions of your EV before embarking on your journey. These include making sure you have your cables, understanding what chargers your vehicle is compatible with and checking the tyre pressure.
Consider the shade
When stopping along your journey, it is a good idea to park in the shade where possible. If you are able to do this, it can help prevent the battery from overheating and having to use the car’s cooling processes which can drain energy.
