By Sasha Oelsner
Published: Monday, March 4, 2024
You’ve packed your clothes and toiletries, stocked up on snacks and chosen the music playlist. But have you planned where to stop and charge so your electric vehicle (EV) will get you from A to B, hassle-free?
We have some tips and tricks so you can take charge of your long-distance EV road trip.
1. Get travel inspiration from the RAA network map
Use RAA’s interactive map to find the location of charging sites in South Australia. There are 110 active sites (at the time of writing) with another 30 to be installed by mid-2024.
From Mount Gambier in one corner of South Australia to the tiny remote town of Marla more than 1000km away on the National Highway, you’ll find charging locations in whichever direction you’re heading.
2. Use A Better Route Planner
A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is one of the most popular EV route planners, and you can use it in conjunction with your preferred network charging app (for instance, RAA Charge or Chargefox). Download the ABRP app or visit the website, input your destination then add your EV’s make, model and other specs such as your car’s current battery percentage.
ABRP will suggest the best route based on your car’s range and battery capacity, as well as charging locations, approximate charging duration, and the distance between chargers. If you’re heading to the outback where there’s little-to-no data reception, check the route ahead of time and export the information for offline use.
ABRP can also be used as a real-time navigator, offering rerouting as necessary.
3. Check out PlugShare – and have your say, too
PlugShare is one of the leading community review platforms for EV chargers. Download the app or visit the website and see what other visitors have to say about charging locations, and check out the uploaded user pictures so you know what to look out for.
RAA Electric Vehicle Charging Specialist Sam Moyes says he has another great use for PlugShare.
“EV chargers, by their nature, are often right near great amenities,” Sam says. “I use the PlugShare app to find out what’s nearby the charging site so that I can explore the town while I’m charging.”
Don’t forget to give back to the PlugShare community by leaving your own reviews.
4. Get an RFID card or fob
Mobile phone and data coverage in remote parts of Australia is patchy at best and non-existent at worst. But being unable to use your phone or apps shouldn’t stop you from taking your EV for remotely. This is where a radio frequency identification (RFID) card comes in handy.
An RFID card allows you to pay for charging when your phone is not available, such as when you’re out of range or your phone battery is flat. It works like a tap and go credit card and is linked directly to your app and bank account. Just tap the reader on the charging station and follow the instructions on the screen.
If you’re using Chargefox, make sure you order an RFID card at least two weeks before setting off. Other networks also have similar solutions, so make sure you check in with them too.
Having an RFID card as an everyday backup is also a good idea in case you forget your phone or the battery is low or flat.
5. Carry emergency charging equipment
There’s one item that Sam says all EV drivers should have in their EV kit.
“Every EV driver should carry a Type 2 cable and store it in their frunk (their front-trunk, if they have one), so they can take advantage of Type 2 chargers that require drivers to supply their own cable,” he says.
“These chargers are great as they allow any vehicle to plug into them using the cable that has the right fitting on their end (Type 1 or Type 2).”
You can also consider getting a portable wall socket EV charger, if it wasn’t already included with your vehicle. Think of it as a jerry can for your EV, to top up in emergencies. In a pinch, some accommodation may, for a fee, let you use their electricity to get you out of trouble. Be aware that this method charges extremely slowly.
6. Know your charging options at your accommodation or destination
Some accommodation venues or attractions may already be on the Chargefox network, some may let you use their electricity from an outside socket and others won’t have any charging capability at all.
Often accommodation chargers can be more economical than faster chargers, so it’s always worth seeing if an overnight rest stop could save you money and give the recharge by the morning.
“Like with fuel, there are different prices for different chargers,” Sam says.
plan your trip wisely and you’ll be amazed by what you can save on a road trip.
Finally, just because your EV doesn’t need an oil change, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a fine tune before heading off on your road trip.
Make sure your windscreen wipers, lights and tyres are all in good nick so you have a safe trip.