How to Find Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on Your Road Trip?
Electric cars are the way of the future for transportation; they are not just a fad. The electric vehicle (EV) trend, spearheaded by businesses like Tesla, is gaining traction, and other big automakers are anticipated to follow suit. Tesla rental cars are a common sight at even well-known auto rental businesses like Hertz, who are increasingly adding EVs to their fleets.
Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles is becoming a more pressing issue as their number on the road rises. When you go to a Tesla Supercharger station in Los Angeles during business hours, you'll see lines of cars waiting to be charged.
There are good news possibilities if the thought of having to wait in queue for a charge bothers you. Although the landscape of charging is changing, it's important to keep expectations in check since there's still opportunity to increase the convenience of charging electric vehicles. Here are some resources to help you on your electric car road trip when it comes to charging.
Make Preparations Beforehand
Take some time to research the charging infrastructure in the area before you go on your trip. Make use of internet tools such as Kazam EV, PlugShare, ChargePoint, or Google Maps to locate and sort charging stations according to criteria like kind, charging rate, price, and availability. Additionally, strategically schedule your pauses taking into account the driving conditions, battery level, and range of your electric car. Avoid busy times and places with lots of traffic, and always have a backup plan in place in case your favorite charging station is occupied or is momentarily unavailable.
Recognise your Electric Car
Different electric vehicles have different charging capacities and features. It's important to know what kind of plug, voltage, and power your EV can handle, as well as what cables or adapters you'll need to bring. Learn how long it takes to charge your EV and how much it will cost at various stations. While some charging stations can swiftly recharge your battery in a matter of minutes, they may be more expensive or less suitable for your particular EV. However, other stations provide slower or medium-paced charging, which could take longer but might be more affordable or easily available.
Examine the Navigation Systems and Websites
There are a lot of in-car navigation systems with built-in charging station locators, such as the ones in Teslas and other EVs. The technology allows you to enter your location and receive guidance on where to find charging outlets along the route. Make use of well-known internet maps like Waze, Apple, and Google Maps. You may tailor the results depending on your particular needs, and these maps frequently include information about charging stations. Check out the websites of the main charging networks, such as EVgo, ChargePoint, Electrify America, and so on. Usually, these websites include maps showing where their charging stations are located.
Optimize the Charging Process
Using proper techniques when charging your battery can increase its lifetime and efficiency. Steer clear of extremes, such as fully charging or fully discharging your battery, since these actions might shorten its lifespan and reduce its capacity. Avoid charging your battery in extremely hot or cold temperatures as this might affect its performance and health. To ensure a more intelligent and efficient charging experience, make use of clever features like timers or notifications to schedule charging sessions and closely monitor your battery state.
Remain Flexible
It may not always be easy to find the charging outlets closest to your electric vehicle. There may be unforeseen problems, diversions, or delays on a road journey. Another level of complication arises when sharing charging stations with other electric vehicle owners, each of whom has different demands. To handle this with ease, practice being adaptable and kind. When it's your time or charge, be ready to reorganize ideas, look at other choices, or take pauses. Respecting etiquette guidelines, such as not unplugging other EVs, not hogging charging stations, and leaving a message with your contact details, reduces conflict and fosters a peaceful charging environment.
Embrace the Advantages
Finding the best charging stations for your electric vehicle (EV) is not without its difficulties, but there are many benefits to the search. By selecting practical charging alternatives, you actively support the expansion of the EV sector while simultaneously saving money on petrol and lowering your carbon impact. Beyond the utilitarian aspects, this trip offers chances to discover new locations, establish relationships with new people, and add fun to your road trip. More than just a need, charging your EV becomes a chance to improve your travels and enjoy the benefits of owning an electric car.
Vital Tips for Extended Electric Vehicle Road Trips
Long-distance driving in an electric vehicle is similar to traditional road travel, thus the following advice is appropriate to both situations.
- Perform necessary car inspections prior to setting off on your trip.
- Schedule frequent pauses into your itinerary so that they coincide with opportunities for recharge.
- Put safety first by pausing when you start to feel tired.
- Make sure the driver isn't overly distracted by the snacks and beverages you pack.
- Choose to arrive later than to chance damaging your automobile or, worse, to arrive at all.
- Remain composed; losing your temper won't make the traffic better.