5 Tips for a Cross-Country Road Trip in an EV

The idea of a cross-country road trip in an electric vehicle might seem daunting—it's not hard to envision getting stranded with a depleted battery or being stuck in a parking lot, charging for hours. There are ways, though, to easily avoid these worst-case scenarios. The experts at Edmunds share their five best tips with the AP on how to make cross-country driving in an EV easy.

• Use EV route-planning apps: Minimizing the number of charging stations you visit and your time at them is key to efficient road-tripping in an EV. A route planner helps you determine where and when you should stop to charge. The navigation system in most new EVs typically has this functionality built in. Alternatively, you can use an EV route-planning smartphone app such as A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) or PlugShare.

• Hit Tesla charging stations: The Tesla Supercharger network of fast charging stations is the nation's largest, and they're usually very reliable and have more charging stalls per location than most networks. Teslas have access to them, and certain non-Tesla EVs are also eligible to use them; most non-Tesla EVs need an adapter to charge at a Tesla Supercharger. If your EV can't charge at Tesla stations, you'll need to utilize other third-party charging station networks, such as Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint.
• Have a backup plan: When planning a route that doesn't use Tesla Superchargers, have a backup station for each stop. Charging stations can sometimes be out of order, or there could be long lines. To find the status of a specific station, download the app of the company the station belongs to. Also make sure to leave yourself enough range cushion to make it to your backup station.
• Stay in hotels with on-site charging stations: This can save time and money. Hotel charging stations are typically Level 2 stations that can fully charge your battery overnight, allowing you to start your trip immediately in the morning. They're usually more affordable than fast charging stations; in some cases, they're free.
• Use charging stations with amenities: To make the most of your stops, charge at stations with a convenience store, retail store, or restaurant nearby. That way, you can use the bathroom, grab some snacks, or even get a full meal while your vehicle is charging.

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