Plan Your Route and Charging Stops
EV road trip planning starts with mapping all the charging stations on your route, the same way you may map out gas stations when driving a conventional gas-powered vehicle.
Before leaving on your trip, check charger availability and network coverage, especially if you’re planning a longer trip or will be travelling through more remote regions. Charging network apps can be a helpful resource to plan all charging stations ahead of time and design your route accordingly.
Look for a mix of different charger types along the route. Level 2 charging is slower but is a great option for overnight stops when you have time to charge at a gentler pace. On the other hand, DC fast charging is great for quick top-ups along the route when you only want to pause for a short break.
Try to build in buffer time for charging stops in your overall trip timeline, since charging takes longer than filling a gas tank. This can be extra helpful when you’re planning a very long road trip and want to set pacing expectations before you leave.
Is Your EV Ready for the Trip?
Conduct these simple checks to prepare your vehicle.
- Check tire pressure with a small tire gauge, since underinflated tires can negatively affect your battery range.
- Top up washer fluid levels. You don’t want to be caught on the road with a windshield caked in bugs, dust, and grime and no fluid to clear your view.
- Inspect your cabin air filter to see if it needs to be replaced. It helps keep your cabin air clean.
- Look at your 12 V battery, if possible, but don’t touch it. If you see corrosion or other possible issues, or if your vehicle reports a problem with it, take your vehicle to your local NexDrive service centre for inspection. A low 12 V battery can leave you stranded, even with a fully charged main battery.
- Ensure your infotainment/navigation system maps are updated, since route and charging planning depends on it.
All these simple checks are DIY-friendly and can be done in minutes before you head out. But other maintenance checks, like battery health, require a professional service appointment.
Have the Vehicle’s Battery and Systems Professionally Checked
A pre-road trip vehicle inspection, also recommended for gas-powered vehicles, matters even more for longer drives.
Your EV’s battery health and high-voltage system checks aren’t visible to the driver and require special expertise and tools to properly assess. A VoltScore battery health assessment, available exclusively at NexDrive, is the perfect pre-trip service to ensure that your battery is ready for a long trip. This service provides a thorough report on your battery’s capacity, current level of degradation, and cell health, so you can confidently embark on your adventure.
If you’re wondering whether consistent road trips are bad for your car, you can rest assured they’re not. But frequent and habitual fast charging, as well as extreme heat or cold exposure over a long period of time can affect your battery health. Your NexDrive technician can check for any of these potential issues during your pre-road trip inspection.
Driving Tips for Long Stretches on the Road
To help stretch range as much as possible and reduce strain over many consecutive hours, try to travel at moderate speeds, use climate control efficiently, and make use of regenerative braking whenever you can.
Precondition your cabin while the vehicle is plugged into the charger before departure. This will make your car comfortable before you leave without using the main battery.
As you’re driving, monitor your battery’s range against your remaining distance to the next charging station, rather than waiting until your battery is too low. Also time your rest breaks with charging stops.
Pack the Essentials
Before heading out, ensure you’ve packed these items:
- charging cable and any adapters needed for different connector types
- stocked roadside emergency kit: emergency contact list, water bottles, non-perishable food, blankets, etc.
- portable tire inflator and sealant kit
- up-to-date ownership and insurance documents
With a quick pre-departure EV inspection, you can set yourself up for a stress-free, safe, and efficient road trip. For all your ongoing EV service needs and a comprehensive VoltScore battery health assessment, find a NexDrive location near you to book your next appointment.