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Range anxiety – the worry of running out of battery power when you’re out on the open road – is a commonly reported concern for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. Even with the latest electric cars having long-lasting batteries and the UK’s vast charging network, range worries are still an issue for many.
But with a little bit of careful planning and know-how, you can hit the road in your EV without any anxiety. Here we walk you through everything you need to know about planning a stress-free trip in an electric car. We’ll cover route planning, finding charging stations, maximising battery efficiency and using essential EV apps.
Just as with any long road trip, planning your route is the essential first step. But rather than simply working out the fastest route with a map and traffic app, with an EV you should also plan a journey that passes via multiple charging stations.
To plan your route effectively:
You can find a range of EV apps that allow you to plan routes that pass public charging stations, like Zap-Map or Google Maps with an EV overlay. As well as generally planning your journey and accounting for current levels of traffic, live accidents and road closures, these apps allow you to input your car model and battery range, and will help plan a route with convenient charging stops.
The UK has a growing network of high-speed charging points, like the ones offered by Instavolt, Pod Point, IONITY, and Osprey. High-speed chargers can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend waiting for your vehicle to recharge. Planning to stop at these locations means less time spent sitting around, allowing you to get back on the road faster.
Even with careful planning, unexpected situations can arise, from bad weather to accidents and long waits at charging stations. Make sure you add buffer time to your journey, especially if you need to arrive at your destination at a specific time. Use your EV route planner to find charging stations on the go if you have to make a detour.
Whilst the UK has over 70,000 public charging stations, not all charge points are created equal. Some are faster than others, whilst some charging networks will offer you cheaper prices if you’re a member of that network. Other networks may not allow you to use their public charging stations if you’re not a member of them.
When planning your trip, make sure that you:
Aim to use charging networks that offer fast (7-22kW), or rapid charging (50kW and above), as you’ll be able to top-up your battery much faster than when using a regular charge point. Luckily, high-speed and rapid charging networks are common across the UK now. The apps you use to locate charge points should help you find them.
Most charging networks will let you use their charging stations without being a member of that network, and will let you pay with contactless payment. However, some networks may offer you better prices if you join them, whilst others will only allow network members to use their charge points. If you’ve identified charging stations along your route, make sure they’re available to you.
Not all charging stations are compatible with every electric vehicle. Rapid charging stations (50 kW and above) use CCS connectors, and some will also have CHAdeMO connectors to be used mainly for Nissan LEAFs. Charge points under 50 kW use Type 2 connectors, and need a Type 2 cable.
There are steps you can take to improve your car’s battery range, and get more mileage out of a charge. This can help make sure that you arrive at a charging station without any worries about running out of power, and can make recharging quicker if there’s less battery to top up.
Conserve your car’s battery power by:
The way you drive has a significant impact on your battery life. Driving at a steady speed, using regenerative braking, and avoiding sudden accelerating or heavy braking can all improve your range. On motorways, driving at lower speeds (around 60-65 mph) rather than the maximum speed limit can make a noticeable difference.
The gadgets and features of your car, from air conditioning to TV screens, will all drain its battery. Lower air con if you can, and switch off features you’re not using.
If your car shows you how much power you’re using in real-time, keep an eye on it during your journey so you can adjust your driving style as needed. If you notice the battery depleting faster than expected, reduce your speed and minimise your use of gadgets and features.
Put your car in its eco-mode if it has one, as this will further help to reduce battery usage.
The more your EV weighs, the more energy it’ll use as you drive. Remove any unnecessary items from your car that will add to its weight.
Many EVs give you the option to pre-condition the battery before you get to a charging station to get it to the optimum temperature for charging.
Make sure you load your phone and/or tablet with some key EV travel apps before you head out, including:
As mentioned above, an EV app that allows you to plan a journey featuring public charging stations is vital. Look for apps like Zap-Map, PlugShare, and A Better Routeplanner (ABRP).
Lots of EVs come with dedicated apps that enable you to remotely monitor your car’s battery status and energy use, and that allow you to control charging and pre-condition your car. These apps can be a great asset during a long trip, as you can keep a close eye on your car’s status even when stopping for a coffee at a service station.
If you’re a member of one or more specific charging networks, whether that’s BP Pulse, Shell Recharge, or GeniePoint, having that network’s app can make finding, using and paying for charging smoother and quicker.
Once your route is planned, the key apps are downloaded, and your car is ready, there are a few final steps to take to make sure your trip goes without a hitch:
Whilst rapid chargers have tethered cables, you will need a Type 2 cable for chargers less than 50 kW.
Weather conditions, especially cold temperatures, can significantly impact your EV’s range. Keep this in mind during your journey and adjust your route or charging stops accordingly if the weather turns.
Charging times can range from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on the charger type. Plan charge times into your trip and bring along some entertainment with you, like books, podcasts, or travel games to pass the time.
Yes. Electric vehicles are perfectly capable of long road trips with proper planning. Many electric cars have long ranges today, and coupled with the UK’s growing network of public charging stations, you can drive long distances with just a little planning.
You can find a range of sites and apps today that not only allow you to plan road journeys, but that show you public EV charging points on the way, allowing you to plan your journeys with confidence. Popular ones include Zap-Map, A Better Routeplanner (ABRP), and Google Maps with EV overlays.
In the right conditions, modern electric cars usually have a range of between 150 and 350 miles on a full charge. Check the specifications of your EV to find out more details, and keep an eye on the reported range on the dashboard as you drive.
Under London’s cleaner vehicle discount, electric cars don’t currently need to pay the congestion charge. However, this is set to change in 2025 and EVs will be subject to the charge from January onwards.
You won’t need to be a member of most UK charging networks to use their public chargers. Many networks, such as Instavolt, Ionity and Gridserve, allow you to use contactless payment at their chargers. However, some networks, like BP Pulse or Pod Point, may require you to register an account or use their app. Membership usually isn’t mandatory, but it might offer discounts.
The important thing to remember is that rapid chargers have been mandated by the government to accept contactless payments, so there’s no need to have the app on your phone. It tends to be the legacy 50 kW chargers where you still need to be a member or have an app.
Whatever advice or guidance you’re looking for when it comes to EVs, make sure you turn to . We offer you EV buying guides, electric car news, in-depth EV features, impartial electric car reviews, and more.
