How to Take a Road Trip in an EV

If you know your next car is going to be an EV, but you haven’t pinned down what kind, you have three options. First is a hybrid electric vehicle, HEV for short. HEVs provide drivers with reduced tailpipe emissions and phenomenal fuel economy by prioritizing electric power and only using gasoline when additional power is requested. Additionally, they provide longer driving ranges and never need to be plugged in. PHEVs, short for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, work similarly. However, with a PHEV, you can select whether your vehicle uses hybrid, all-electric, or gas-only power, putting you in control of the vehicle’s usage. As you may have guessed by the name, the EV battery in a PHEV must be plugged into an external power source to recharge. PHEVs are ideal for longer journeys as you can continue driving on gas power even if the battery is depleted. Lastly, you have the option of a battery electric vehicle, otherwise known as a BEV. These are all-electric vehicles that are completely void of any gas-powered engine. These reduce your emissions and fuel costs to zero. And with technology advancing and BEV driving ranges getting longer and longer, BEVs are becoming great choices for road trips.

To avoid getting stuck somewhere without a charge, you should always plan your journey ahead of time to ensure your stops include places with EV charging stations. To map your adventure, you must first have an understanding of your vehicle’s range, or how far it can drive on a single charge. After you know this, it can be useful to subtract a few miles to give yourself a little wiggle room and reduce your range anxiety. A great way to get the most out of your EV road trip is to find charging stations near activities or rest areas. This way, you can get out, stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat, and stay busy while your vehicle charges. You’ll mostly find charging stations at rest areas and near shopping centers, while more are beginning to pop up in more remote locations like state and national parks. To find charging stations along your route, you can use apps like EVGo, ChargeHub, PlugShare, and even Google Maps. Many EV owners will recommend bringing along some activities to keep you and your family entertained while the vehicle is charging. Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that some charging stations may be full or down for maintenance, so be sure not to let your battery get down too low before finding a station. This is where a PHEV like the Jeep 4xe or Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid models come in handy, as the gas engine can take over when the electric battery dies.

Just like with a traditional gas-powered car, how you drive determines how efficiently your vehicle runs. For instance, if you drive with a heavy foot, you’ll use more of your battery’s power than if you drive in a more calm manner. Everything in an EV, including the drivetrain, climate controls, and infotainment system, runs off of the battery. Therefore, minimizing usage will help extend your battery life. Additionally, just like internal combustion engines, EV batteries have an optimal operating temperature. If your road trip is during the winter months, it is wise to warm up your battery while the vehicle is still plugged in, as it will warm up using the external power source and not the battery itself, which would reduce your range. Lastly, if at all possible, be mindful of how much cargo you’re bringing along. More weight causes more drag, and more drag causes more energy to be used to produce the power being requested. Of course, if your road trip is spread out over a few days, you’ll need to bring some luggage. But be mindful of what’s necessary and what you can go without to lighten the load in your vehicle.

Road trips are absolutely possible in an EV. If you’re looking for an EV you can take a road trip with in Lancaster, PA, then Susquehanna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is where you need to be. Here, we have a wide selection of plug-in hybrid models, including the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Grand Cherokee 4xe, and Chrysler Pacifica PHEV. While you’re here on our website, check out our new inventory page to find the right PHEV for you. If you prefer, come down to our showroom, where a knowledgeable sales professional will gladly set you up with a test drive. We hope to see you soon!