“Pack your bags, we’re going on a road trip!” Don’t we all love that spark of excitement when adventure calls? Whether you’re hitting the road with family, friends, partner, or embarking on a solo journey, summer road trips should be about fun and freedom – not worrying about your next charge. Sure, EV road trip planning requires a bit more forethought than jumping in a conventional car, and hot weather brings its unique considerations. But don’t let that deter you! With some smart preparation and the right tools, your summer EV adventure can be just as spontaneous and even more rewarding. It’s also more eco-friendly and cost-effective!

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go beyond the basics to help EV drivers feel confident when it comes to summer EV road trip planning. From optimising your charging strategy to managing range in high temperatures, we’ll cover everything you need to know, giving you practical tips to make your journey seamless and enjoyable.

Preparing for Your EV Road Trip: What to Plan Before You Go

Map Out Your Route with Charging Stops

Once you’ve decided on your holiday destination (the hardest part in our opinion), the next step is to find EV charging stations along the way! Remember, smart route planning is the foundation of a successful EV road trip!

With our fast-growing network of over 270 fast and ultra-fast charging stations strategically placed across Australia, Evie is a trusted option to get you to your destination. Using the Evie App, or our handy online map, you can map out a journey that incorporates strategic charging stops while considering factors like:

• Distance between charging stations
• Charging speed at each location
• Alternative charging options for backup

Other tools, such as your vehicle’s navigation system or apps like A Better Routeplanner, can also help plan your route. However, we recommend always cross-checking charger status and availability using provider apps like Evie before rocking up.

Helpful tip: Always plan for at least one backup charging location per segment of your journey. That way, you won’t be caught off guard if a station is occupied or temporarily out of service.

Calculate Charging Times Based on Your EV Model

You don’t need to be a battery expert by any means, but understanding your charging needs can help you better plan realistic travel times. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Your EV’s maximum charging speed: Every EV has its own maximum charging speed (measured in kW). This means your car will only drink up what it can handle. For example, if your EV’s maximum charge speed is 50kW, you can still use a 350kW charger, but your EV won’t be able to charge faster than 50 kW. This brings us to our next tip!
• Choose a charger that matches your charging speed needs: At Evie, you’ll find fast charging stations ranging from 50kW – 350kW. If your EV supports higher charging speeds and you need a quick top-up, choosing a higher-powered station like a 150kW or 350kW charger can help you get back on the road faster!
• Influence of battery % on charge speed: EVs charge kind of like how we eat at a buffet – super quick at first, then slow down as you get fuller! Most EVs generally experience the fastest charge rate between 20% and 80% State of Charge (SoC). After that, they slow down significantly. Let’s use an example to better explain this concept.

The graph above is an example of a charge curve (charge curves are different for every EV). It illustrates the relationship between charge speed (vertical axis, measured in kW) and battery percentage (horizontal axis), showing how charge speed changes as the battery’s state of charge increases. Why does this matter? As you can see in this example, the charge speed starts to drop when the car reaches 70% charge. We also see how the decline in charging speed becomes steeper once the battery reaches 80% + SoC charge.

Pro tip: On road trips, plan to charge in this sweet spot for the fastest pit stops.

• Influence of temperature on charge speed: Generally, an EV battery performs optimally when the temperature is between 20° C and 30° C° (or 40° C for certain cars). Too cold or too hot, and it might slow down a bit. If it’s a really hot summer day, try planning your charging stops during cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening, when temperatures are lower. This can help your EV maintain a more consistent charging speed. We know you can’t control the weather (wouldn’t that be handy!), so if you need to charge in the heat, try parking in shaded or covered charging stations to keep the battery temperature more stable.

Plan for Summer Heat: Maximising Your EV’s Efficiency

So, we talked about temperature’s impact on charge speed, but there are a couple of other things you can do to keep your EV running optimally in the summer heat:

• Precondition your battery: Preconditioning helps bring your EV’s battery to its optimal temperature, improving charging speed, range, and overall performance during your trip. It can often be activated via the car’s infotainment system, and some EVs even let you do it through a smartphone app. Remember, every EV is different, so be sure to check the owner’s manual for specific instructions
• Use eco-driving modes during peak heat: Eco modes not only extend your range but also reduce the strain on your battery, which can be especially helpful when driving in extreme temperatures.

Choosing the Best Charging Stops for Your Road Trip

Strategically Locate Chargers Based on Amenities

Make your charging stops work double-duty by choosing locations that offer more than just power. Evie’s charging stations are conveniently located near amenities like shopping centres, cafes, restrooms, and walking paths, making your charging stops an enjoyable part of your adventure vs a mundane task.

Activate Autocharge with the Evie App for Convenience

Autocharge is the easiest and fastest way to start a charge! Once set up in the Evie app, you can simply plug in and start charging – no app or cards needed! This will be particularly convenient during hot summer days when you want to minimise time in the heat. Set up Autocharge today!

Tools and Apps to Make Your Journey Smoother

The Evie app is your go-to tool for finding and accessing chargers, but it also offers handy features to improve your charging experience:

• Real-Time Charger Status: See the state of charge for active sessions in the app, so you know exactly when a charger will be available.
• Busy times at select sites: We know holiday charging can get hectic, so we have a handy app feature on the site details page in the Evie app to give you the lowdown on peak and quiet times at some of our busiest sites. Check the Evie app to see if your nearest site is showing busy times.

Beyond the Evie app, these additional apps can help make your trip even easier:

• Weather Apps for temperature planning
• Navigation Apps (Google Maps, Apple Maps) for traffic updates
• PlugShare: A popular platform used by the EV community to locate charging stations and share real-time status updates.

Final Tips for a Smooth and Enjoyable EV Road Trip

If you made it to the end of this summer EV road trip guide, you’re one step closer to cruising through summer road trips like a pro! Remember, successful EV road trips are all about smart planning and being flexible. With these tips in hand, you’ll be set to embrace the open road in your EV, knowing you’re well-prepared for whatever adventures await.