20 October 2022
Essentials to know when heading on a EV road trip
As Australia moves towards an electric vehicle (EV) future, organisations like the NRMA are working with governments to expand the national charging network to keep up with growing demand. While a reliable network emerges and new vehicle technology comes to market, EV road trips are an exciting prospect but require careful planning to ensure they go smoothly.
Our friends over at the NRMA have been helping road trippers keep moving since the motor vehicle arrived in Australia and are now helping to prepare motorists for an EV future. Here are some expert tips to help EV drivers to plan a stress-free road trip.
1. Have a Plan B for charging and route
Having a Plan B is crucial when plotting out a long-haul trip in an electric vehicle. While it is growing, Australia's charging infrastructure – especially in regional centres – is not reliable enough for road trippers to be blasé about when and where they will charge.
An EV driver needs to have a back-up plan if chargers are out of service or if unforeseen conditions affect driving range. Ideally, you can have a flexible road trip plan, with multiple routes in mind and suitable roadside assistance cover.
2. Consider if your accommodation is EV-friendly
As EVs become more and more popular, an increasing amount of venues are offering EV charging amenities. It is worth taking the time to plan overnight accommodation that offers EV charging. Research your stopovers and call operators to ask the question before booking. If you can charge your vehicle overnight, it can prevent the need to charge the next day.
3. Take charging time into account
It takes more time to 'fill up' an electric vehicle than it does to fill an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, and their driving range is generally less. Because of these factors, long-haul EV road trippers are likely to make more stops – with each taking longer – than ICE vehicle drivers.
The time spent at charging stops can stack up quickly over the course of a long road trip, so make sure to factor this in when planning your getaway. As the NRMA’s senior road tester Tim Pomroy says: "Touring in an EV can be like touring with young children – the Google Maps indicated drive time can be misleading."
4. Allow extra time for contingencies
As with the previous tip, there are different variables and contingencies an EV road tripper faces compared to an ICE one. Much fewer charging stations exist than fuel bowsers, especially in regional areas, and this could potentially add considerable time to your day's travels.
A busy petrol station may mean a wait of five minutes before you reach a bowser, however a queue for occupied charging stations could add hours to your trip.
Try to be conservative in the distance between your next accommodation and plans when travelling in your EV, or try to time your charging stops at off-peak times.
5. Download charging station operator apps before you set off
Pay-to-use charging stations will generally require an app to operate. Getting signal to download these apps can be difficult to do in some regional areas, so it pays to download any (if not all) of the different charging operators' apps before you set off.
6. Take your own adaptor cables
EVs and charging stations can come with a few different types of charging sockets, and you don't want to arrive to a charging station only to find out it won't suit your vehicle.
A set of adaptor cables is a must for long trips in your EV as they will allow you to charge your car from any charging station you may come across, even if the vehicle is not fitted with a compatible plug.
7. Cold weather can affect an EV’s range
Plan your trip – and the distances between stops – based on what sort of climate you're likely to encounter. The battery range of an E is impacted by cold weather. If you are likely to go through colder regions, be extra conservative with your estimated driving range and plan accordingly.
While the charging network remains in its infancy, taking a long-haul road trip in an EV is a much different prospect than a traditional ICE vehicle. If you plan your route and are more mindful of your charging options, an EV road trip will give you a fresh driving experience, take you to new places and give you a new perspective on road-tripping around Australia.
This article was contributed by the NRMA (National Roads and Motorists’ Association Limited). The NRMA is a separate and independent company from NRMA Insurance, which is part of the Insurance Australia Group.
