Planning a Road Trip with an Electric Vehicle

From the Great Ocean Road to the Great Barrier Reef Drive, a road trip is one of the best ways to see Australia. The good news is that with some planning, heading out in your electric vehicle is an accessible way to travel whilst minimising your carbon footprint. 

Taking your electric vehicle on a road trip offers considerable cost savings in comparison to an average internal combustion engine car. Let’s take a look at some recent data from Climate Council’s latest analysis. In New South Wales, drivers taking their families on holidays pay only a quarter of the cost of the average petrol car when charging their battery. These figures are even better for Victoria (21%), Queensland (19-20%), and the Australian Capital Territory (17%). 

Understanding Your Range  

The first step to a successful EV road trip is understanding the range that your car offers.  Bear in mind that the kilometres displayed on your dashboard are only an estimate and will be affected by a range of factors. Are you driving a hilly route? Is it extremely cold? Are you towing a caravan? 

Mapping the Route 

Before pulling out of the driveway, mapping out the chargers along your route will be essential. The latest reports suggest that there are more than 3000 public EV charging stations around Australia, ranging from one plug to eight fast-charging stations. In the near future, ultra-fast chargers will be installed at 100km intervals along major NSW highways, mirroring the Queensland Government’s installation of fast chargers between Brisbane and Toowoomba, as well as Coolangatta and Cairns.  

Some electric vehicles have built in travel apps, but if not, there are a plethora of third-party apps available to help you locate stations, offer pricing guides, and determine the  wait times for chargers. Most public DC fast chargers and Type 2 AC destination chargers will have their own cables, but some remote areas will require a three-phase, 20 amp, or 32 amp adapter. 

Booking accommodation with a charger is also a great way to top up your battery overnight, minimising the wait time whilst you’re on the road.  

Make sure all your lights work, test your brakes, check your tyre pressure, and enjoy your road trip! 

If you have any questions about our Australian-made DC Chargers, reach out to our friendly sales team at sayhi@evos.com.au