Planning you next family road trip in an electric vehicle? Here we share the essential tips and insights on how to preparing your EV for a safe and enjoyable journey.
Embarking on an Aussie road trip is always an exhilarating adventure, and when you’re travelling with kids tow, the fun multiplies exponentially. A road trip sets the perfect backdrop for new, unforgettable moments, and in places like Australia, adventure lurks around every corner.
That said, a road trip isn’t something you should plan on a whim – especially with kids in tow. Without the right planning, what should be a fun-filled journey can easily turn into a stressful ordeal. And we’re not just talking about the twitching that will inevitably be brought on by the eleventy millionth, “Are we there yet?” and your kids demanding a toilet URGENTLY, five minutes after passing the toilet stop, they insisted they didn’t need (though, of course, that’s definitely part of it!).
To ensure your road trip goes without a hitch, taking a few precautions before hitting the road is critical. This is especially true if you’re planning to travel in an electric vehicle (EV). While EVs offer plenty of benefits, there will be some additional steps you’ll have to make to maintain good control over your safety and the overall road trip itinerary. For starters, having the right car insurance is a must for any vehicle, but even more so for an EV, where different coverage options may apply.
Here, we’ll highlight some essential safety tips for preparing your EV for your next family road trip, ensuring your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
1. Assess Your EV’s Specific Features
You shouldn’t go on a major road trip excursion with your electric vehicle if you’re not completely used to driving it yet. Being stranded is hard enough, but being stranded with a vehicle you’re not completely proficient in with family in tow can be even more harrowing.
Before you hit the road, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with how your EV works, especially if you’ve only recently made the switch to electric or hybrid. Take some time to understand the ins and outs of your vehicle. Know the key features, like regenerative braking, how to charge at charging stations, and how to use the built-in navigation system. And if your EV comes with cool perks like adaptive cruise control or autopilot mode, make sure you know when and how to use them.
In a nutshell, you just need to take a little time to properly acquaint yourself with all the features of your electric vehicle before driving it over long distances. This way, you’ll be able to utilise the right features during the right situations, saving you from underutilizing your vehicle’s fullest potential while out on the road.
2. Know Your Range and Plan Accordingly
Your electric vehicle will have a specified range of travel from a full battery. This range differs significantly from vehicle to vehicle. As an EV owner, it’s in your best interest to know the stated range of your car.
But don’t just rely on that stated figure – consider testing your vehicle and finding out its actual range before the road trip. Oftentimes, the driving range will vary ever so slightly from the stated figure, especially if the vehicle has been operational for quite some time or if you’re covering uneven terrain.
If your road trip covers more kilometres than your car can drive on a full battery, then you’ll have to plan for a charging pitstop during your road trip. You can find charging stations on EV map apps like PlugShare, alongside relevant details like expected charging time and price per watt.
You should also give some allowance when planning your charging stop and consider leaving a little wiggle room to drive to a nearby backup charging stop. This way, you won’t be out of luck if your initial charging stop is unavailable for whatever reason.
3. Conduct Pre-Driving Maintenance
Another key to being road-trip ready is doing some pre-driving maintenance. Driving with low coolant levels or a barely charged battery is a surefire way to run into trouble and delay your trip. So, don’t attempt to skip this step and make sure everything’s topped up and ready to go before you hit the road.
You’ll also want to ensure that your vehicle is in optimal condition as soon as it’s out of the garage, and the only way to know for certain is by taking the time to perform a thorough pre-drive inspection.
Start by giving your car’s exterior a quick once-over. Check out the frame, windows, and doors; make sure the tyre pressure is good; and see if the charging outlet is working properly. Then, hop inside and test the brakes, check the coolant levels, see if the GPS is working, and assess the health of the battery.
If everything checks out, you’re good to go, and you can focus your efforts on making the drive happen smoothly. This way, you’ll minimise the chances of accidents and delays while driving on the road, making for a smoother journey.
4. Pack a Charging Kit
If you’re planning to cover long distances in your electric vehicle, having a charging kit is a must.
This charging kit can be a lifesaver when you need to give your car’s battery a quick boost –especially in remote Outback or rural regions, where finding a charging station might not be so easy. It could mean the difference between a minor hiccup and a big, expensive headache.
Make sure your charging kit includes the essentials: a charging cable, an adapter, and a portable charger. Stash them in your vehicle’s storage compartment or the trunk, and don’t forget to test everything beforehand. You’ll want to know how much power it holds and how long it takes to charge, so you’re fully prepared when you need it.
If you plan on charging at public charging stations, be sure to have an active payment method with the charging company to ensure a smooth charging experience. This can give you peace of mind knowing that a little oversight (like a range approximation miscalculation) won’t spell disaster for the rest of your trip.
Insure Your Vehicle
Even if you’re driving safely and following all the right practices, unforeseen events can still occur during your family road trip. These accidents can be minor ones, like a scratched body, or major ones, like a full-on collision with another vehicle or property.
In either case, fixing your car or replacing parts after the trip can get pricey. Getting your car back home from a distant location is even more expensive. This is especially true for Tesla electric vehicle owners, as they have specific car parts that may not be easily replaceable.
One way to mitigate the cost is by getting car insurance, specifically comprehensive car insurance from reputable companies. For instance, ROLLiN’s EV insurance is a good choice for EV car owners who want protection in the event of an injury, an accident, or other stipulated incident.
Some insurance companies even provide perks like roadside assistance to qualified clients. This is especially useful for car owners embarking on a road trip, as paying for this service out of pocket can prove very expensive. Be sure you have extended coverage to ensure that all types of incidents are covered.
By having the proper insurance coverage in place, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your finances won’t go down the drain in the event of an accident.
6. Prepare a Packing Checklist
When going on a road trip, it’s important to have all the necessary items for you and your family to enjoy. Know the nature of your trip and the likely activities that’ll take place during the road trip. From there, plan what to bring based on your itinerary. Think about the stops you’ll make, the adventures you’ll have, and the downtime you’ll need for everyone to be comfortable. Tailoring your packing to the trip will help ensure you’re fully prepared for whatever comes your way, whether it’s a hike, a beach stop, or just a cosy evening at a cabin.
There are also general packing guidelines you should follow when going on a road trip, even if it’s just a day trip. Essential items to bring include a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and a car tool kit for flat tyres and other potential mishaps.
You also need to keep your kids’ comfort and entertainment in mind, because let’s face it, most have the attention span of a squirrel on espresso, and keeping them occupied on the road can sometimes prove a bit of a challenge. So, pack a few pillows and blankets and a solid arsenal of entertainment options to keep them occupied. Sure, you’ll want them to soak up the views from the window, but let’s be honest – a Kindle, iPad, card games, or even a gaming console might just be the ticket to keeping the peace (and your sanity) on those long drives, as well as during downtime on your trip.
If your EV is on the smaller side and doesn’t have room for everything, focus on packing the essentials to keep everyone safe and comfortable. And don’t forget to plan pit stops along the way for snacks and meals because trust me, nothing helps smooth over a grumpy road trip moment like filling their faces with snacks.
By following these tips, you’ll be ready to tackle that long family road trip with grace and a good dose of fun. Stay safe out there, and may your travels remain blissfully free of the “Are we there yets?”
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 