Travelling by electric car: how to prepare for a road trip

Plan your itinerary and stops

Planning is the key to a successful electric car road trip.

Map out your route ahead of time and locate public charging stations along the way. CAA-Quebec can design your personalized travel itinerary, bearing in mind your reality and your needs. You can contact our specialists by phone or schedule an in-person appointment (exclusive to CAA-Quebec members).

The best approach is to plan a recharge while doing another activity. For instance, when eating on the road, look for restaurants that have charging stations. Many tourist attractions also have them. This way, you can combine utility with pleasure.

Also, choose your accommodations based on the charging stations available on the site. Make sure there are enough of them; you might not be the only electromobilist to stay at this location.

Consider these as well:

• Favour fast charging stations to save time.
• Check that the distance between charging stations matches the range of your electric vehicle. Knowledge of your vehicle’s range based on highway speed and fuel consumption (in kWh per 100km) will aid in planning recharges.
• Have a backup plan in case the charging stations are down or busy at the location where you planned to recharge.

Download applications from Hydro-Québec’s Electric Circuit, FLO or ChargePoint. That way you can easily locate the stations on your way and check their availability. These three networks are interconnected. Therefore, only one of these applications is needed to start a recharge at any of their stations.

Also, make sure you have a physical membership card for the charging network. It will come in handy if the mobile app fails or if you don’t get a cell signal, such as in an underground parking lot.

Visit our website for more travel planning tips. Among other things, you can find ideas for itineraries in Quebec. Members can also order a personalized itinerary designed by our team.

Inspect your electric car before setting off

Just as you would with a gas-powered car, ensure that your electric vehicle is in order.

Check tire pressure and fluid levels. Inspect the spare tire, if you have one, or the tire repair and inflation kit. Make sure headlights, taillights and wipers are in good condition.

If needed, call on an authorized Vehicle Inspection Centre or a garage you can trust, such as those in the CAA-Quebec Approved Auto Repair Services network.

In spite of all your preparation, a breakdown could still occur. It is therefore wise to consider a roadside assistance service. CAA-Quebec’s Roadside Assistance covers electric vehicles. In the event of a mishap, members can get assistance in both Canada and the United States thanks to our partnership with AAA.

Bring all the necessary equipment for charging

When packing, don’t forget the charging accessories, such as a charging port adapter and 120V charger. You may need them to plug your electric vehicle into different types of charging stations. If you have a portable charging station, remember to bring it with you.

Also, a heavy-duty 120V extension cord could be very useful if you need to plug your vehicle into a regular electrical outlet for an emergency recharge. It will take time to recharge, but it could save you some trouble.

Optimize your EV recharges

Before leaving home, fully charge your electric vehicle.

On the road, stop to plug in your vehicle when the remaining range approaches 20%. Take the opportunity to eat or visit a local attraction.

Recharge your battery up to 80%. What for? Recharging is faster at first. It slows down as it gets closer to maximum battery range. Plus, in some networks, the cost increases. Moreover, recharging may even stop to protect the battery.

You’ll be back on the road faster if you only charge your battery to 80%. And you will likely be able to get a full charge during your overnight stops.

Extend your EV battery range

Current electric vehicles have ranges varying from 200 to 400 kilometres with a single charge. Some higher-end models can even reach a range of over 500 kilometres.

However, the actual range may be affected by various factors: outside temperature, driving style, speed, use of air conditioning or heating, road topography, etc. Battery wear can also have an impact.

Several factors thus contribute to increase or decrease the energy consumption of a vehicle. Apply these tips to maximize your battery range:

• Travel light and avoid overloading your vehicle. The heavier your vehicle, the more energy it uses to move forward. The lighter you travel, the greater the performance.
• Preheat or precool the interior. Is your electric car equipped with a preheating or precooling function? Use it to heat or cool the interior before heading out on the road, while your car is still plugged into the charging system.
• Adopt ecodriving. Avoid sudden acceleration and braking, as well as excessive speed. Try to drive steadily and use cruise control whenever possible.
• Limit the use of accessories. Air conditioning and heating can consume a lot of energy. Restrict their use. For instance, use air conditioning on the highway and open windows in the city to cool and ventilate the vehicle.
• Beware of extreme temperatures. They have an impact on battery range. As such, try not to park your electric vehicle in direct sunlight for long periods of time. If possible, park it in the shade.

Also, try not to leave it outside in freezing weather. If you have to, leave it plugged in to ensure that there is an electrical current flowing through the battery. Refer to the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations in this regard.

Got questions about electric vehicles? Mobility Advisory Services specialists provide members with information on both the purchase and use of an electric car.