Tips before setting off on first long journey

[Bam Bam]

We are heading off on our first EV holiday Monday (Covid recovery permitting) and I couldn't see any threads with specific tips about how to optimise the car before a long trip.

Perhaps it is all obvious like plan your charging stops before hand (which I started investigating months ago tbh).

But if there are any tips about pre-heating the battery or anything like then let me know!

 

[siteguru]

At this time of year (even though it feels more like March than July!) preconditioning the cabin or battery shouldn't be necessary. Just make sure that Intelligent Battery Heating is turned Off.

If range (distance between stops) is a concern then go easy on your right foot, and set ACC to 60 or 65 on motorways. For anything else I suggest you read @Rolfe's thread You CAN Road Trip an SE SR.

 

[Deleted member 11291]

We are heading off on our first EV holiday Monday (Covid recovery permitting) and I couldn't see any threads with specific tips about how to optimise the car before a long trip.

Perhaps it is all obvious like plan your charging stops before hand (which I started investigating months ago tbh).

But if there are any tips about pre-heating the battery or anything like then let me know!

If you have them, make sure you have both your Type 2 and granny charger with you. You never know when you will need them.
If you’re concerned over range, set everything to eco both the car setting and the HVAC.

As above, try and reduce your speed on the motorway, as that is a range killer for EV’s.

Other than that don't worry and enjoy your holiday. Its just a new way of thinking/planning which becomes the norm, very quickly.

 

[DrPlokta]

We are heading off on our first EV holiday Monday (Covid recovery permitting) and I couldn't see any threads with specific tips about how to optimise the car before a long trip.

Perhaps it is all obvious like plan your charging stops before hand (which I started investigating months ago tbh).

But if there are any tips about pre-heating the battery or anything like then let me know!

If you’ve not already done so, go and charge at a local rapid or ultra-rapid DC charger so you can be sure that it works and you’re familiar with the process. You don’t have to put in very much charge.

 

[Bam Bam]

If you’ve not already done so, go and charge at a local rapid or ultra-rapid DC charger so you can be sure that it works and you’re familiar with the process. You don’t have to put in very much charge.

We did a test a few months ago, which I expect was the first time the car had been DC charged.

I was very concerned about getting stranded if it turned out not to work!

No scope to do another one now though - I've just topped the battery up.

 

[Deleted member 11291]

We did a test a few months ago, which I expect was the first time the car had been DC charged.

I was very concerned about getting stranded if it turned out not to work!

No scope to do another one now though - I've just topped the battery up.

I forgot and left test charging on DC until the day before we went away in April, thankfully it worked!

 

[Kithmo]

I'd recommend getting a spare wheel, jack and wheel brace.

 

[DelBoy]

So I have done a quite a few trips away, if you are using motorway assume 3 miles per kWh, you probably would get more but if you do local trips the Guess O' Meter will lie to you a bit as it assumes you will still be getting 4-5 miles per kWh and will start at 250 + miles but as time goes by this does fall and your destination range suddenly become unachievable and you have to go into survival mode. I assume you have a Type 2 cable as if you are going off the motorways for a long ways you may need to use an un-tethered charger. Have zap map to help find a place and assume the first charger you go to will not work so have a plan B. If you do get caught out a little on the motorway my range extender is put the ACC on and follow a lorry (this is survival mode really but it makes a big difference to your range if the sh!t is hitting the fan). Prior Planning Prevents P!ss Poor Performance!! If you do PPPPP then you will enjoy it and it will not be an issue, above all don't panic and have range anxiety if the planning has been done. Shouldn't be like that but I wouldn't lie that it will always be perfect.

 

[Ian Key]

I have an emergency tool kit consisting of:
NOCO 12v battery jump starter https://amzn.eu/d/0ieflics
10mm spanner for the 12v battery terminals
Multi bit screwdriver
WD40
Temporary puncture repair kit https://amzn.eu/d/07DLP5qM
Pair of gloves to keep my hands clean
Rubber mat to kneel on
Old waterproof coat.

 

[Grriff]

If you haven't already done so, it's worthwhile loading the apps from the charging providers you might use, Tesla, Fastned etc and registering with them. Paying using their app may be more reliable than using a contactless credit card.

 

[Bam Bam]

If you haven't already done so, it's worthwhile loading the apps from the charging providers you might use, Tesla, Fastned etc and registering with them. Paying using their app may be more reliable than using a contactless credit card.

Thanks - I got an electroverse card and downloaded the Tesla app. Will try to use Tesla (cheaper) or Electroverse (we are in significant Octopus credit from solar surplus).

 

[unbornidentity]

My tip would be to use open to all Tesla super chargers if you can. Many are open to all now and far cheaper than everyone else. If you get the Tesla app it’s easy to find them and you can use the ones that don’t yet support contactless payment.

Often there are Gridserve for 79p per kWh with Tesla across the way for 45p per kWh. Big saving! Plus if everyone does that they will have to reduce their prices!

Haha, I really need to start reading through everything before I post. ?

 

[Grriff]

If you are hoping charge to charge at your accommodation using a granny charger, you may need an extension lead. We also use a meter so we can pay for the electricity.

 

[unbornidentity]

Thanks - I got an electroverse card and downloaded the Tesla app. Will try to use Tesla (cheaper) or Electroverse (we are in significant Octopus credit from solar surplus).

You might find you need to use the octopus electro universe app to start some charges, I don’t have much luck with getting the car to work.

 

[Mike80]

I've had my car for 16 months, my top tips are:

• top the car upto 90% the night/day before travel, an hour before you plan to leave charge to 100%. That way you start with a warm battery.
• Use cruise control on Motorways and set the energy reclaim to 1, stops the car continually breaking hard if the vehicle in front slows up.
• Avoid Air Con if possible.
  
  Travelled last week to Kings Lynn (130 miles) temperature going around 19 degress, motorway cruise control set to 70, no aircon, achieved 4.1miles per kWh. Return journey no chance of charging before we left, temperature 24 so had aircon on, achieved 3.1miles per kWh.
  Aircon is the killer.

 

[AndyL61]

Thanks - I got an electroverse card and downloaded the Tesla app. Will try to use Tesla (cheaper) or Electroverse (we are in significant Octopus credit from solar surplus).

Register with Tesla as it makes it easier to use the chargers also might be worth joining as a member for £8.99 for a month then cancelling afterwards as you get Tesla owners prices if you're a member.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

My tip would be to use open to all Tesla super chargers if you can. Many are open to all now and far cheaper than everyone else. If you get the Tesla app it’s easy to find them and you can use the ones that don’t yet support contactless payment.

Often there are Gridserve for 79p per kWh with Tesla across the way for 45p per kWh. Big saving! Plus if everyone does that they will have to reduce their prices!

Haha, I really need to start reading through everything before I post. ?

FWIW - Gridserve just launched their own app (yes, I know!), but using it gives 20% off until the end of September.

 

[Anon70]

If you do any public charging get the GOM to register 30 to 50 miles more range than you need before stopping the charge, this gives a contingency if the next charge stop has queues or faulty charging stations or you need the HVAC more than you think.

If you do get to a low state of charge you can gain 10ish miles by turning the HVAC off completely, but the windows will mist up in damp conditions.

 

[Tig170]

FWIW - Gridserve just launched their own app (yes, I know!), but using it gives 20% off until the end of September.

... maybe thats why I'm getting 'plunge pricing' offers on my Electroverse App

 

[OriginalBigAl]

All the above plus a couple of folding chairs, sarnies, beverages, and cake. You are on holiday ,enjoy the charging experience. Scrub the above if its a rainswept, windy. foul day on a boring industrial estate after closing hours. Choose wisely?