Six quick tips on how to plan a long trip with your EV
Plan your EV journey with ease using these six practical tips, from downloading charging apps to optimising your route and charging efficiently. Be prepared with the right tools and strategies to save time and enjoy a seamless long-distance trip.
Just as we need to prepare for a flight to ensure things run smoothly at the airport check-in, it might be sensible to make plans for our EV trips as well. Planning your charging in advance can save you time once you're on the road. Here are six tips on what to do before you go on a long journey with your electric car:
1. Download Charging Apps (for example our IONITY App) before you leave and create an account with your payment details added. This will save you valuable time at the charging station.
2. Check the compatibility of your RFID token or charging card upfront if you are planning on using them as one of the payment options. Most mobility service providers (MSP) have information about compatible charging networks on their websites.
3. Plan your route and timing to avoid peak travel times and, ultimately, queuing in front of occupied chargers. Weekends and the beginning of vacation periods are typically days with a lot of traffic. So, check these vacation periods for relevant countries and, if you can, travel on different days. Also, early mornings and late nights see fewer charging activities than daytime hours.
4. Always start your trip with a charged battery. This way, after an initial long drive, the battery will be warm when you arrive at the charging locations, and the charging will go faster.
5. If possible, charge your battery before parking the car at the end of your daily drive – if you don't have the option of charging overnight. In the morning, the battery will be cold, and the charging will be slower and harder on the battery. Charging the battery at the optimal temperature after driving will save you time and prolong the battery life.
6. Don't forget to bring your Type 2 / AC charging cable for destination charging or emergencies. While all fast chargers, like IONITY, have their own cables, sometimes you may have to charge at slower charging points which requires your cable.
For more tips, check out our travel guide! A collection of helpful tips to consider before you go and when you arrive at one of our charging stations.
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