I know, offMetro is all about car-free trips, but we do support Electric Vehicles. We believe EVs will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s obvious now that EVs are the future of driving. Owners of EVs love their futuristic and environment-friendly cars. Nevertheless, you cannot claim to be a fan of your vehicle unless you’ve taken a long road trip on it. We’re sure you can benefit a lot from the following EV Trip Planning tips if you’re going on a road trip in the near future.
These Should Be Your EV Trip Planning Guidelines
Destination and Routes
Foremostly, any journey starts with a plan and a roadmap. As the biggest drawback for EVs right now is the lack of charging availability and range. Make sure the road to your destination is full of ample charging stations along the way. Moreover, you cannot bear to take a long detour of the country roads to get back on track in case of road blockage. It is best to plan and check for the condition of the routes that you are to take on your journey.
Charging Stations and Stops
Your EV Trip planning should be based according to the range of your EV, it is best to always undermine the range of your car. Install an EV Trip Planning app to plan your trip from one charging station to another. This way, you can overcome the only shortcoming of EVs. You can check this discussion on Quora about the best route planning app for EVs.
Emergency Toolkit
Emergency toolkits are essential for any vehicle on any road trip. Make sure your emergency tool kit is up to date and can tackle any unforeseen circumstances.
Traveling Essentials
Traveling these days requires special health and hygiene precautions. Face masks, sanitizers, gloves, and towels are the first things that you should pack. Additionally, you can pack your own soaps, face washes, and shampoos.
Vehicle Check-Up:
Battery Check
Usually, electric vehicles’ batteries last for a long time. Yet, it is still a good idea to check the battery system for any errors and have a battery capacity test from time to time. Especially before long road trips, you should visit your dealership to get your car checked for any battery issues.
Electric System Check
Electric vehicles are generally very low-maintenance and durable cars as compared to the ICE vehicles. Still, the electric system of any car is very sensitive. Specifically, EVs run wholly on the electric system so it is best to get your electric system tested before leaving on a long road trip. This will save you a lot of trouble because there are no roadside mechanics available for EVs. For instance, you should check for problems in charging ports and charging wires, charging capacity, and other electrical components.
Wipers
EVs have typical screen wipers just like the internal combustion engine cars and the wiper blade size is also the same in most electric vehicles. You should replace the wipers twice a year for a cleaner windscreen and better visibility during weather with reduced visibility. Check if your wipers are worn-out then make sure to replace them before heading out on your EV road trip.
Oils and Fluids Check
Although, EVs do not have an engine and do not require an engine oil. Electric cars have a coolant system to prevent the batteries from overheating. You should check the coolant fluid routinely for a safe driving experience. Furthermore, you should also get your drivetrain fluid checked for a smoother ride. Other fluids to check include brake oil and wiper fluids.
Tires Check
Tires are one of the most central parts of a vehicle. People think that tires are only there to roll the car. However, that’s not true. The tires of the car play an important role in the overall safety and stability of the vehicle. Tires take all the weight of the car and absorb the bumps and jolts of the road. The most important part however is the traction they provide; a worn-out tire will lead to an uncontrollable vehicle that can easily be a cause of an accident. It is important to check the tread and tire pressure before leaving on an EV road trip.
Lights Check
The major function of lights in a vehicle is to make the road visible in darkness and other conditions with reduced visibility. However, that’s not all that lights do. The lights of a vehicle have an important role to communicate with other vehicles on the road. The lights emulate the presence of the vehicle, its size, and position on the road. This is an essential road safety feature. Your lights should be clean and working properly.
Brakes Check
Brakes play a decisive role while driving. A failure in the braking system of a vehicle can lead to a major accident and even fatalities. Although, electric cars use regenerative braking and that increases the life of the brake pads. Still, you need to check your braking system for any problems that can arise during your EV road trip.
In conclusion, if you follow these basic guidelines (and some other great destination tips) – your EV Trip Planning should produce a wonderful adventure.
Keep traveling green!
