If there is one area where EV (electric vehicle) drivers need to be a little more prepared than those who drive conventionally fueled cars it is journey planning. Along with all the technology extras, environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness , drivers need to be extra careful to ensure that they have enough power to get them to where they want to go. The good news is that more and more charging points are being installed each week and that most EVs do come with satellite navigation systems to tell the driver where to find the nearest one. Like a conventional petrol gauge, the car will also give you plenty of warning that the power is low.
Warning: do not run out of electricity!
If an electric car does run out of power before reaching its destination or a charging point, however, there is more than just an inconvenience issue to deal with. The manufacturers of EVs do warn that draining a battery completely can damage it quite significantly – and most of them advise not to let the battery go too low at all. Once again – plan your journey before you set off and pay attention to the warning signs and flashing lights.
The good news is that the range of electric cars is increasing all the time, as the technology continues to improve. So this reduces the likelihood of a driver running out of charge.
What about roadside assistance for EVs?
As with petrol or diesel cars, a simple call out to a breakdown company, or if you are member of one of the many roadside recovery providers in the UK, and they will be able to take you to the nearest charging point or garage. Some insurance companies, such as LV, also include recovery in their policies for electric vehicles. The other important thing to remember is that most electric cars cannot be towed but would need to be transported on a flat-bed truck.
Make sure you plan your journey: today’s satellite technology makes this really easy
The real key is planning. Most owners of electric cars will be able to charge their vehicles overnight, so they have a full charge every morning. This is obviously far more convenient than going to the petrol station. The downside of charging an EV away from home is that a mid-journey refuel is time-costly (even if it still saves a few pennies) and could mean that the money you save on fuel simply goes towards coffee and cake while you wait!!
