Planning a Road Trip in an Electric Vehicle? Here’s What You Need to Know

Road trips are quintessentially American, and there’s arguably no better way to see this country than by personal vehicle. The benefits are endless: It’s an immersive, affordable way to travel that offers plenty of flexibility, convenience, and options for last-minute changes and scenic detours. But what if you could also add sustainability to that list?

It’s no secret that electric vehicles offer a cleaner, greener way to explore. Unlike traditional gas-powered cars, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which means you can enjoy the fresh air without worrying about polluting it. Plus, with increased availability of renewable energy sources, charging your EV is becoming even more eco-friendly.

But EV road trips are not free from challenges, mainly when it comes to the speed and availability of charging stations—especially outside of cities and in more remote areas.  

Here are three tips for how to make the most out of an EV road trip.

1. Plan Your Route

When taking a road trip in a gas-powered vehicle, you rarely have to worry about running out of fuel: Gas stations are abundant in most parts of the U.S. This is not the case for charging stations, which can be few and far between once you leave the big city behind—especially if you’re not able to use the Tesla Supercharger network. Even if you do find a charging station in a more remote location, chances are it’s not a fast charger—and it could already be occupied, or out of order. So what are your options for avoiding running out of juice?

The number one thing to do is plan ahead. Route your itinerary based on the range of your vehicle (the actual range, as this can differ from the manufacturer’s posted range). If you’re able to comfortably do 300 miles on a full charge, consider planning a daily route that’s slightly below this. Book a hotel or campground with charging stations and plug in overnight. The next day, simply rinse and repeat. 

Another option is to plan a midday charging stop in an area with reliable chargers. This could be a shopping center or mall, where you could combine a charging stop with grabbing lunch at a restaurant or stocking up on supplies. 

2. Drive Efficiently

In order to really take advantage of your vehicle’s full capacity, you need to drive in a way that maximizes its range. The battery is the heart of any EV, and minimizing battery usage will help you go farther. There are a number of ways to do this, including easy acceleration, sticking to the speed limit, and using regenerative braking. 

Temperature also plays a role in battery efficiency. Starting up and driving in cold temperatures puts an extra strain on the battery, and so does using the heater or air conditioner. This doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use creature comforts while driving; as with anything EV road trip related, you just need to take it into consideration when planning your route. 

3. Adjust Your Expectations

Taking a road trip in an electric vehicle can be just as rewarding as a road trip in a gas powered vehicle—but it will be a different experience. To avoid setting yourself up for disappointment, make sure to adjust your mindset ahead of time. Instead of planning to visit a remote national park or hiking trail, consider staying closer to civilization (and charging stations) by visiting museums, historic districts, urban parks, or taking a walking tour of a city. 

To really set yourself up for success, make sure you carry any adapters you may need to charge your vehicle, and download apps like PlugShare and ChargeHub ahead of time to help locate charging stations. 

The Electric Outdoors Solution

Currently, less than 20 percent of EV chargers are located in remote areas. And with the rapid increase in both camping and electric vehicle ownership in the last few years, the lack of charging options is having a serious effect on camping accessibility. Electric Outdoors is providing a solution for this expensive infrastructure problem, making it possible for EV owners to camp off-grid and return home with a full charge. 

Taking an EV road trip to remote areas—to visit national parks, go off-roading, or camp away from other people—has previously been stressful and difficult, and in some cases even impossible, due to the lack of charging infrastructure. The EO Canopy offers EV drivers, RVers, and other adventurers a minimal-footprint opportunity to connect with nature without the range anxiety. 

The camping platform is powered fully by sustainable energy sources. Featuring EV charging via solar power, Starlink, a kitchen, shower, and waste incineration, the EO Canopy brings an entirely new approach to glamping.

If you want to support Electric Outdoors’ mission to bring more people to the outdoors electrically, and find out when an EO Canopy is coming to a location near you, consider signing up for our newsletter.