If you’re thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV), you might be wondering if it’s possible to take a road trip with one. After all, range anxiety is a real thing! Thankfully, there are more and more charging stations popping up across the country, making it easier than ever to charge up your EV on the go. Here’s everything you need to know about planning a road trip with an EV.
Planning Your Route
The first step in planning a road trip with an EV is to map out your route and plan your stops accordingly. There are a few different ways to do this. The first is to use a trip planning website or app that includes charging station locations, such as PlugShare or ChargePoint. You can also use the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator. Simply enter your starting point and destination and select “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” as your preferred fuel type. This will give you a list of charging stations along your route, as well as information on station type, amenities, and availability.
Another option is to call ahead to hotels, restaurants, and other attractions to see if they have EV charging stations on-site. Many businesses are happy to accommodate EV owners and may even offer discounts!
Charging Your EV
Once you’ve planned out your route and made sure there are charging stations available along the way, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll actually charge your EV. If you’re just doing a day trip, Level 1 charging (plugging into a standard 120-volt outlet) will probably be fine. However, if you’re embarking on a longer journey, you’ll want to take advantage of Level 2 or Level 3 charging stations, which provide faster charging times. If you have a Tesla Model 3 standard or your car has CCS you can take advantage of the supercharger network.
To find a fast charger near you, again refer to PlugShare or ChargePoint. Once you arrive at the station, simply follow the instructions on the charger itself or on the app to begin charging. Be aware that some public chargers require payment either by credit card or through a subscription service like ChargePoint or Blink—so be sure to have your payment method ready before you start charging!
With a little bit of planning, taking a road trip in an electric vehicle is definitely possible—and can even be fun! By mapping out your route in advance and making sure there are plenty of charging stations available along the way, you can rest assured that you’ll make it to your destination without any problems. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next EV road trip today!
