Preparing for a Long Journey in Your Electric Vehicle
Before embarking on a long journey, it’s essential to complete pre-journey car checks to ensure a smooth and safe trip. This includes checking your tyre pressure and tread depth, windscreen wipers and fluid wash, brakes and lights, oil levels, engine coolant, and brake fluid. However, if you’re driving an electric vehicle (EV), there are additional checks you should complete before setting off.
Battery Checks and Charging Points
For EV owners, it’s crucial to check the battery level before starting your journey. Aim to charge your battery to at least 80% using your home charger, allowing you to cover a significant distance before needing to stop and charge again. Understanding your battery capacity, the distance you can travel on a full charge, and the types of chargers compatible with your EV will help you plan charging breaks. The average EV’s range is 211 miles, which could take you from London to Manchester in one journey.
When planning a longer trip, it’s essential to identify charging points along your route. Websites like ZapMaps and PodPoint Network can help you find charging stations, and some EVs display charging stations in their built-in GPS. Try not to let your battery dip below 20% if possible, and take rest breaks as opportunities to charge up. With over 2,500 en-route charging points in the UK, many of which are rapid chargers, you can charge your EV to 80% in 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the EV model and battery charge.
Optimizing Charging Time
To minimize charging time, try to charge your EV from around 20% rather than an empty battery. Charging to 80% is often sufficient, as the last few kWhs typically take longer to charge compared to the range this final 20% provides. By understanding how to optimize your charging time and plan your charging breaks, you can enjoy a hassle-free and efficient long-distance journey in your EV.
For more information on planning a long journey in your EV, including tips on battery checks, charging points, and optimizing charging time, visit Here
