How to have the perfect summer EV road trip

Are you EV summer road trip ready? All you need to have the best summer in your EV

Whether you’re going into your first summer as an EV driver, renting one for a summer trip, or after ideas to make the most of your summer adventures, this round-up will get you road trip ready.

1. Plan stops to enjoy more

Planning your journey can help you squeeze in as much fun and sightseeing as possible.

You may also find charging locations that enable you to schedule in some excitement. There may be a picnic area or playground en route. Or, if you really want to go for it, you could take in a castle or a theme park. Check out this guide for chargers near family-friendly attractions

Remember, we’re always here to show you where you can find charging on your chosen route – just download our free app and search for our chargers, see what’s available near you in live time, and filter for your preferred charger speed and connector type to minimize wait time.

2. Kit check time

It could be a good idea to run through a few essentials to keep in your EV. A breakdown kit, first aid pack, non-perishable food, appropriate charging cables, USB and portable charger could give you peace of mind for any occasion. Head here for a checklist.

Add plenty of reusable water bottles, a cooler box, and a picnic blanket to the list in summer. Carrying a windscreen sunshade to park your EV in the sun also makes a lot of sense. It should stop those ‘It's boiling in here!’ moments and stop you blasting your AC and eating up charge.

3. Got kids? Pack in the entertainment

If you don’t keep younger passengers entertained, you may hear, ‘How long before we get there?’ before you know it. Prevent boredom and limit screen time with cards, games or puzzles. And for little artists, drawing and colouring-in books are a must.

When the phones and screens come out, you could add to the adventure in plenty of ways. How about you create some crowd-pleasing playlists for different moods? Raise the energy with some dancefloor bangers, relax everyone with some chillout classics or get everyone to display their vocal talents (or lack of them) with some car karaoke. For back seat cinema, you could try some road trip movies. Or, for apps, suggest games that encourage exploration.

Remember, downloading music and movies to your devices ahead of time means even if your signal drops, the entertainment doesn’t stop. And don’t forget charging your devices too much can affect your EV’s range.

4. Get your EV summer ready

15-35° could well be your car’s battery sweet spot. If it does get hotter, there are ways to keep its temperature down. You can park in the shade or in a garage if it’s convenient. And some EVs also have preconditioning features to heat or cool the battery to keep it at its optimum performance and driving range. Get clued up with our article on battery temperature.

If your EV has cabin preconditioning, that can also be useful. When charging, it lets you power your AC using energy from the grid, not your battery, and cool the cabin to a comfortable temperature.

As extreme heat can increase tyre pressure, it’s worth remembering overinflated tires can affect performance and driving range. It’s worth giving them a check before setting off.

5. Pack your EV perfectly

Your EV may have more storage space than a regular car, but it’s still worth making the most of it. Packing light is usually a good idea – bringing less clothes and doing some washing on your trip can stop you needing to cram in large luggage. Remember, the hidden space under the seats can fit some smaller items. And hanging seatback organizers can add storage and keep things in a safe place – including beloved teddy bears.

If you don’t want to end up being that person desperately slamming the boot shut to squeeze everything in, it might be worth considering a mountable outside storage option. These come in the form of sleek-looking roof boxes to attach to a roof rack, or hitch-mounted cargo containers for the rear of your EV. When mounting anything, including bike racks, it’s worth remembering too much drag can affect efficiency and range.

We hope these five tips have got you in the holiday mood, saved you a bit of time, and given you some ideas. Wherever you go, look for us on the road, and have a fantastic summer.