It is common for all of us in our travels to remember the (dis)adventures more than the days spent serenely on the beach. More than the sunsets over the sea and the starry nights, the stories of the time we were stranded, the time we missed our connection, the hellish night in that hotel that wasn’t exactly what we had booked.
Let us make sure that the next trip is truly unforgettable, but for the right reasons, and let us plan it carefully. Especially if what makes it unforgettable is also the fact that it will be done by electric car: the least polluting holiday of your life.
It is almost that time of year when it is time to take a break and stop to recharge our batteries. But this time not just those of the electric car, but our own. Because every now and then unplugging, at least for us human beings, means recharging our batteries. So why not fill up your backpack and set off on a zero-emission adventure?
Travelling by electric car is an experience, for those who have experienced it, unique and in recent years increasingly popular. Compared to some time ago, many things have changed: travelling by electric car is no longer that experience where, armed with maps, enthusiasts’ forums and aided by the directions of passers-by, one had to rely on good luck only to find oneself in front of a charging station that was perhaps still under construction, abandoning oneself together with our luggage and our thoughts on the side of a road in the scorching August sun. Today, many hotels, truck stops, offices and public car parks have their own charging stations.
And they are not, as many might think, exclusive only to big cities. The vast majority of tourist destinations now have modern stations and recharging points of all kinds: smart, fast, ultra-fast, guaranteeing peace of mind for our well-deserved holiday, with a few fleeting stops to recharge the car during our eco-friendly travel itineraries, without having to plan our journeys too far in advance each time.
Travelling electrically gives us the peace of mind of discovering new spaces, in entirely new and comfortable ways. Let’s treat ourselves to a silent, stress-free holiday and discover how to plan a pleasant trip with our electric vehicle.
How to recharge your electric car on the road
Let’s start by saying that what is a holiday for us is not the same as a holiday for someone else. Each of us has our own concept of holiday and many different ways of experiencing it, and thanks to the ever-increasing spread of public charging stations, fortunately, for our summer of 2023 we can choose from many destinations that excite and thrill us: from the peaks of the Dolomites for the more intrepid, who seek the thrill of a high-voltage journey. Passing through the quiet monasteries of Umbria, where those in search of meditation can find serenity aboard an equally silent and discreet vehicle. All the way to the glittering lights of a chaotic waterfront full of life on the Tyrrhenian coast, where charging one’s car for a few hours while enjoying a sumptuous dinner by the sea will certainly not be a problem.
Whatever destination we have in mind for our holiday, there is no need to worry. Travelling electric is synonymous with freedom: we won’t have to wander around looking for the cheapest petrol pump off the motorway, or worry about exhaust smoke poisoning the air in the nature reserve we are passing through. Travelling electrically is synonymous with respect and love for the land we are most attached to.
Thanks to modern batteries, which have significantly extended the autonomy of electric vehicles, planning travel routes has become a much easier task on longer journeys, and if we have a large enough battery, one charge will be enough for a short weekend trip out of town.
Night before departure: tips and tricks for a fully charged holiday
Before setting off on our electric car journey, like any self-respecting trip, we must bear in mind a few precautions that will allow us to enjoy our holiday in total serenity.
First of all, it is essential to know the autonomy of our electric car, so that we can plan the trip taking into account the real distances we can cover before reaching our charging station. It is good to have a relatively precise idea of the distance we can cover on a full charge, and it is wise to take into account certain factors along the way that can affect the life of our batteries, such as the outside temperature, our driving style, the use of air conditioning or whether we have to drive on roads with considerable gradients that can increase average consumption.
It is also a good idea to choose roadside recharging stations so that you can make the most of your stopover time, explore the surroundings and discover beautiful and enchanting places.
Sudden diversions? How to find charging stations
Once on the road, perhaps after an unexpected diversions for an impromptu visit along the way, the important thing is to know where we can find a charging point that is suitable for us, and that is compatible with the charging socket we have brought on board. Today there are several apps and websites that allow you to find the nearest charging stations. Many of these allow you to book your stop in advance so that you can maximise your travel time, especially in high-season periods. In addition, apps dedicated to e-mobility can provide detailed and real-time information on costs, charging speed and availability of charging stations.
Some of the most popular sites and apps include Chargepoint, which allows you to monitor the charging status of your car in real time, or PlugShare, with a very active community that allows you to read opinions on the quality of charging stations left by other users who use the platform, complete with photos and practical directions on how to get to less visible charging points, such as inside shopping centres or roads less travelled.
Where to charge electric cars on the motorway
If we are planning our trip and intend to reach a distant destination, perhaps abroad, we will certainly have to drive many kilometres of motorways. In these cases, charging your electric car can be a challenge, especially if we are talking about EVs with limited battery capacity.
However, many motorways nowadays are equipped with modern fast-charging stations at strategic points that allow us to continue our journey without too much difficulty. In these cases, if you want to avoid the inconvenience of sitting for several hours in a motorway service station waiting for the column to free up, it is a good idea to book your isle in advance. There are many choices: fast and ultra-fast recharging stations are located in service areas, in large shopping centres that have sprung up along motorway arteries, or at spacious public car parks. All we have to do is set our course for the one closest to us, and we are ready to enjoy our green itinerary.
How many km of autonomy does an electric car have
The autonomy of electric cars during a holiday is one of the greatest sources of stress and concern for drivers, so much so that it has come to be known as range anxiety. However, in recent years, the major car manufacturers have invested a good chunk of their budgets in the research and technological development of batteries, resulting in a marked improvement in their range and performance. By now, modern vehicles have a range of 200 to over 500 km per single charge, enough to cover much of the distance needed to reach our coveted holiday destination. No more stress from charging, then. But you still have to be a little careful.
The actual duration of a full charge will depend above all on our driving style, the road conditions and the use we make of the air conditioning and other electronic devices such as the audio system or navigation system while driving. This is clearly also determined by our experience as e-drivers. Once we have become familiar with our electric car, after a short time, it will not be at all difficult and, indeed, we will feel a natural desire to set off for our favourite destination in an environmentally friendly and safe manner.