Electric Vehicle Road Trip Tips

Taking your first long road trip in an electric vehicle can be exciting and a little daunting – especially if it's a carshare vehicle you don't own. Don't worry! With some planning and smart driving, you can have a smooth, enjoyable journey. This guide will walk you through everything HOURCAR and Evie Carshare members should know before hitting the road, from mapping out charging stops to making the most of your electric vehicle's features.

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You're not alone in this – our Member Services team is always here to help with trip planning or any questions along the way. Just give us a call if you need assistance.

Plan Ahead for Charging Stops

Pre-trip planning is essential for a successful electric vehicle road trip. Before you set off, take time to map out where and when you'll charge the car. Electric vehicles have excellent range for daily driving, but on a long trip you'll need to incorporate charging breaks. You'll be primarily looking for DC Fast Chargers on a road trip, and can learn more about charging speeds on our Charging Tips page.

Here's how to get started:

Use a route planner designed for Electric Vehicles: A great tool is A Better Route Planner (ABRP). You can input your specific car model (e.g. Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf) and your destination, and ABRP will suggest where to stop and charge. It takes into account your car's range, the locations of charging stations, and even elevation changes. This gives you a “charging game plan” before you leave. Many electric vehicle drivers treat ABRP as a helpful second opinion to their car's navigation – it's very handy for complex trips with multiple stops.
Find charging stations with PlugShare: Once you have a general route plan, cross-check it using the PlugShare app/website. PlugShare shows virtually all available public charging stations along your route. You can see what kind of chargers are at each location (Level 2 or DC fast charge, and what plug types – more on that below) and whether they'll work for your specific car. We highly recommend checking PlugShare “check-ins” and comments for each station you plan to use. Other drivers often leave notes about charger status and reliability.

This helps you avoid stations that might be broken or offline. For example, if a station has recent comments reporting issues, you might choose a different charger or have a backup in mind. (On PlugShare, you can also filter by your car model or connector type – this ensures you only see stations compatible with your HOURCAR/Evie vehicle.)
Plan your charging time into the schedule: Driving an electric vehicle long-distance means you'll spend some time charging. A typical DC fast charge stop might take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes (depending on how much charge you need and the charger speed). Make sure to budget this time into your trip itinerary. If you have multiple stops, it could add a few hours total to your travel time compared to a gas car trip. It's not a bad thing – just something to be aware of so you're not in a last-minute rush.
Have a backup plan: It's always wise to identify an alternative charger along each segment of your route. Sometimes a station might be busy or unexpectedly out of service. By knowing where the next-closest charger is, you can quickly reroute if needed without stress. PlugShare is great for this, and you can also call our Member Services staff if you're in a bind and need help finding another station.
Ask Member Services for help if needed: If trip planning feels overwhelming or you're unsure about anything, remember you can reach out to Member Services. Our team can help you figure out a route or answer questions about charging on the go. In fact, if you arrive at your carshare vehicle and find it's not sufficiently charged for your trip, give us a call – we can help resolve the situation. We're here to make sure you have a successful journey!

In summary: map your route with ABRP, use PlugShare to pick reliable charging stops (and backups), and work charging time into your travel plan. With a solid plan on paper, you'll start your trip with confidence.

Make Charging Stops Quality Stops

Plan your charging stops around meal breaks, bathrooms, or interesting sights. For example, stop for lunch where there's a fast charger. That way, while your car charges for 30-40 minutes, you can grab a bite or stretch your legs. You'll come back to a recharged car and a recharged you! Turning charging time into rest time makes the journey more enjoyable and efficient.

Maximize Your Range

How you drive has a big impact on your vehicle's range. In general, electric vehicles are most efficient at moderate speeds and with smooth driving. Here are some key pointers:

Keep highway speeds moderate: Driving very fast (for example, 75–80 mph) will drain the battery much quicker than driving at 60–65 mph. Wind resistance increases exponentially with speed, so an electric vehicle going 75 mph uses a lot more energy than it would at 65 mph. Many experienced road-trippers find that sticking to the speed limit or slightly below can noticeably boost range. In one real-world example, a Chevy Bolt driver cruising at ~75 mph on the interstate saw their range drop much faster than expected, but when they slowed down to 65 mph, their efficiency greatly improved. You might worry about going slower than some traffic, but as long as you stay in the right lane, it's usually not an issue – in fact, it can be a more relaxing drive. Don't feel pressured to speed; your payoff will be fewer charging stops and less range anxiety.
Watch the efficiency gauges
- The Chevy Bolt has a green and yellow efficiency ring on the dashboard (around the speedometer) that gives you instant feedback on how you're driving. If you're driving efficiently, the ring stays green. If you press too hard on the accelerator or drive at high speeds, it turns yellow, indicating higher energy consumption.
- The Nissan Leaf has a white and blue efficiency ring on the instrument screen, which you can navigate to using the arrow keys on the steering wheel. The ring indicates blue when you're generating energy and white when you're using energy. The large ring on the charging info screen also indicates the eco range to show when energy use is optimum.
Use these as a guide – try to drive efficiently according to the indicator. It often means doing things like easing off the pedal and maintaining a steady speed.
Accelerate and brake smoothly: Quick jackrabbit starts and hard braking waste energy. Instead, accelerate gradually and anticipate stops so you can coast or use regenerative braking to slow down. Regenerative braking (regen) means the electric motor acts as a generator when you lift off the pedal or brake, sending power back into the battery. Every little bit of energy you recapture helps extend your range. So drive with a gentle touch and flow with traffic; not only will you go farther, but it's safer too.
- In the Chevy Bolt, you can maximize regen by using One-Pedal Drive mode (L Gear) or the regen paddle on the steering wheel to slow down without using the friction brakes.
- In the Nissan Leaf, the Eco button will help you drive more efficiently, and you can maximize regen by using One-Pedal Drive mode (B gear) and the E-Pedal to slow down without using the friction brakes.
Use cruise control (when conditions allow): On open highways, using cruise control at a moderate speed can help maintain steady driving and avoid unnecessary speed fluctuations. Just be cautious in hilly terrain – the cruise might floor the accelerator to maintain speed uphill, which can spike energy usage (you might choose to reduce set speed manually on steep hills).

In short, drive efficiently: stick to reasonable speeds, keep an eye on the car's efficiency indicators, and drive smoothly. You'll be rewarded with more miles per charge – and a calmer ride overall.

Driving a Bit Slower Pays Off

Don't be afraid to drive slightly under the speed of traffic to extend your range. Driving ~10 mph slower can dramatically improve efficiency, and you're unlikely to cause any road rage as long as you use the right-most lane. Many electric vehicle road trippers find that going a little slower not only saves battery, but also reduces stress – you can relax and enjoy the ride while the faster cars pass by.

Prepare for Cold Weather

If your road trip is during winter or in cold weather, plan for extra considerations. Cold temperatures affect both your electric vehicle's driving range and its charging speed:

Expect reduced range in cold conditions: It's normal for electric vehicless to get significantly fewer miles on a charge in cold weather. The battery is less efficient at low temperatures, and more energy is used to heat the cabin (and sometimes to keep the battery itself warm). On an extremely cold day, an electric vehicle's range can drop by as much as 30-50% compared to mild weather. For example, a vehicle that might go ~250 miles in summer might only manage roughly 150-180 miles in subzero winter conditions. Plan your legs shorter in winter and give yourself a bigger buffer of charge. It's a good idea to charge more frequently (whenever convenient) so you're not caught short if the range plummets due to weather.
Charging is slower with a cold battery: Batteries don't like to be fast-charged when they're freezing cold. If your car has been parked in the cold for a long time, the first DC fast charging session may start slow until the battery warms up internally. Unfortunately, vehicles like the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf do not have active battery preconditioning to heat the battery before fast charging, so you might experience longer charge times in winter. A useful technique is to drive for a while before fast charging – the act of driving warms the battery somewhat. For instance, if you depart with a cold battery, try to drive 20-30 minutes before hitting a DC fast charger; that way the battery isn't ice-cold and can accept charge faster.
Use climate controls wisely: Keeping comfortable is important, but be aware that the cabin heater uses a lot of energy. In winter, preheat the car while it's still charging so the cabin is already warm when you start driving – this draws power from the grid instead of your battery. You don't have to freeze – just set the cabin heat to a reasonable lower temperature. Every bit of energy saved goes back into extending your driving range. (On the flip side, in hot weather, air conditioning also uses energy, but generally less than heating. Still, using A/C moderately or using the vent fan can slightly improve range vs. max A/C. Parking in the shade when possible and pre-cooling the car while plugged in can help, too.)
Allow more time for charging stops: Because charging may be slower in cold weather, add some extra buffer time at your fast-charge stops. If normally a stop might take 30 minutes, you might end up needing 40+ minutes in deep cold. This is another reason to keep your battery from getting too low before charging – you don't want to be stuck waiting a long time in the cold with only a few miles of range left. Aim to arrive at chargers with at least ~20% battery in winter, if you can, so you have flexibility.

Upcoming Electric Equinox – Preconditioning Feature

One exciting improvement on the horizon: the Electric Chevrolet Equinox (coming soon to the fleet) will have a built-in battery preconditioning feature. This means if you're navigating to a fast charger, the Equinox can automatically warm up its battery en route, helping maintain better charging speeds in cold weather. Essentially, the car prepares itself for charging when it knows you're headed to a station. This is a handy feature for winter road trips.

Current HOURCAR vehicles like the Bolt and Leaf don't have this automated battery pre-heating, so they rely on you to warm them up by driving. We're looking forward to the Equinox making winter travel even easier!

Fast Charging 101: The “80% Rule” and Charging Curves

When you stop to fast-charge (DC fast charge) during your trip, it's important to know that electric vehicles charge fastest when the battery is empty, and slow down as they fill up. You'll get the most benefit from fast charging in the lower part of the battery's range (say 10% up to 80%). As you approach 100%, the charging speed tapers off dramatically

Here's what that means for your trip:

Don't wait for 100% at every stop: It's usually not efficient to charge your electric vehicle all the way to 100% on a DC fast charger, especially not every time. The last 10-20% can take a long time. To protect the battery, the closer the battery gets to full, the slower the charge rate gets.

Therefore, on a road trip it's usually best to charge up to whatever level comfortably gets you to the next planned charger, then hit the road again, rather than waiting to reach 100%. You'll save a lot of time overall.
Plan charging amounts based on need: A good strategy is to arrive at a charger low (but not too low – maybe 10-20% battery remaining), then charge up to about 60-80%, just enough to safely reach your next stop with a buffer. Then drive on. This leapfrogging approach (go charger to charger) is faster than doing one giant charge-up. Of course, if the next leg is very long or charger sparse, you might need a higher state of charge. Use your route planner's estimates to decide how much is “enough” to add at each stop. It's okay to charge to 100% if you absolutely need the range for a remote stretch – just be aware it will take extra time, and try to use that time for a meal or rest.
Understand charging curves: Different models have different “charging curves” – how the power tapers as the battery fills. The Chevy Bolt, for instance, can charge at about 50 kW maximum on a DC fast charger when the battery is low. As it gets past roughly 50% charge, the rate starts to slowly drop, and by ~80% it's considerably lower (perhaps around 20 kW or less near the top). The Nissan Leaf has a different profile and also may slow down if the battery becomes warm (it has less advanced cooling). The details aren't crucial, but the takeaway is: charging is not linear. So don't be surprised when the first 15 minutes gives you a big boost in miles, but the next 15 minutes adds much fewer miles – that's expected behavior.

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In practice, you might stop for 20-30 minutes, get the battery from say 20% up to 80%, and be on your way. Then later you'll do another stop. This leapfrog method keeps you moving with minimal downtime. By contrast, one super long stop to go 100% would likely take more time overall.

Charging Etiquette

At DC Fast Chargers, higher powered chargers will not necessarily provide a faster charging speed. Our vehicles are limited to accepting speeds of 50kW. If there are multiple chargers with different speeds posted (usually on the charger, or painted in the parking spot), for example, an Electrify America station with a mix of 350 kW and 150 kW, it's polite to use the slower 150 kW option, so other drivers can charge at the fastest speeds their car can handle.

Know Your Plug Types (CCS, CHAdeMO, and Tesla/NACS)

EV charging isn't one-size-fits-all – there are a few different connector types for fast charging. It's important to know which plug your car uses and how to find compatible chargers. Let's break down the three main plug standards you'll encounter:

CCS (Combined Charging System): This is the most common fast-charge connector for modern electric vehicles in North America (outside of Tesla vehicles). Our Chevy Bolts (and upcoming Equinoxes) use the CCS plug. A CCS port on a car actually looks like a standard J1772 port (for Level 2 AC charging) with two extra large pins below it for DC fast charging – hence the name “combined” system. Virtually all new public DC fast charging stations have CCS connectors by default.

If you're driving a Bolt, you'll be looking for CCS fast chargers. The good news: nearly every highway charging site (e.g. Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint stations) will have CCS plugs available. CCS is capable of very high power (up to 350 kW on some stations), though the Bolt itself will charge at a more modest rate due to its limitations. In short: CCS is everywhere and that's what your Bolt or Equinox needs for DC fast charging. (For Level 2 charging, all EVs including Bolt/Leaf use the common J1772 plug – those are the slower chargers. But on a road trip you'll focus on DC fast chargers.)
CHAdeMO: This is an older standard mostly used by Japanese electric vehicle models. In our fleet, the Nissan Leaf is the one that uses a CHAdeMO port for DC fast charging. CHAdeMO connectors are much less common nowadays in the U.S. Many new charging stations do not include CHAdeMO anymore, or might have just a single CHAdeMO plug while having multiple CCS plugs. Currently, only the Nissan Leaf and one other vehicle model use CHAdeMO in North America, and the industry is moving away from it.

If you are using a Leaf for your trip, you'll need to plan more carefully to find CHAdeMO-compatible stations. PlugShare is your friend here – filter for CHAdeMO and read station details. You may find CHAdeMO at some older stations or at certain networks (for example, some EVgo stations have CHAdeMO). Always check that the station you plan to use indeed has a CHAdeMO plug and that it's operational. Because CHAdeMO stations are dwindling, you might have to drive a bit off-route or use slower charging if a direct fast charger isn't available. Give yourself extra time and always have a backup option if you're taking a Leaf on a long trip. (On the bright side, the Leaf also has decent Level 2 charging capability – if you're stuck, you can use a J1772 charger as a backup, although it will be much slower.)
NACS (North American Charging System / Tesla Plug): Tesla vehicles have their own proprietary plug design, which as of 2023 was renamed NACS. It's a slim, lightweight connector used for Tesla Superchargers (DC fast) and Tesla “Destination” chargers (Level 2 AC at hotels, etc.). Our HOURCAR/Evie cars do not have Tesla/NACS ports – the Bolt and Leaf cannot directly plug into Tesla chargers. We do not provide any Tesla charging adapters. This means you generally cannot use Tesla Supercharger stations on your trip, unless you provide your own adapter at supported stations. However, there is a new development: Tesla has started opening up some Superchargers to non-Tesla electric vehicles by equipping them with a device called the “Magic Dock” (an integrated CCS adapter).

Unless you specifically know a Tesla station is open to CCS (you'd see this info on PlugShare or the Tesla app), assume that Tesla stations are off-limits for our cars. The same goes for Tesla Destination chargers at hotels or parking lots – those have the Tesla connector, and without an adapter, the Bolt/Leaf can't use them. (There are J1772 “universal” destination chargers in many places too – those are fine for our cars, and PlugShare can help you locate them.) The industry is trending toward adopting the Tesla/NACS plug in the future, and it's likely that more Superchargers will open to non-Teslas soon. But as of now, stick to the public CCS/CHAdeMO stations for reliable fast charging.

To summarize plug types: Bolt/Equinox = CCS, Leaf = CHAdeMO, and Tesla's network = incompatible (for now). Knowing this helps you filter maps and avoid going to a charger you can't use. Always double-check on PlugShare that a station has the plug you need – e.g., look for the CCS icon for Bolt, or CHAdeMO icon for Leaf. If you input your vehicle info in route planners or PlugShare, it will usually do this filtering automatically.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Electric Vehicle Road Trip

Finally, here are some extra tips and good habits to ensure your first electric vehicle road trip is a success:

Start with a full charge: It sounds obvious, but make sure your car is fully charged (or as high as possible) before you depart. With HOURCAR round-trip vehicles, the cars are usually kept plugged in at their home hub between reservations. Still, double-check the charge level when you begin your trip. If it's not full and you have a chance to top up before leaving town (say at an EV Spot or fast charger), it might be worth adding a bit of charge – especially if the first leg of your journey is long. As noted in the HOURCAR guide, a full electric HOURCAR could go up to roughly 220-250 miles under ideal conditions, but if your car isn't at 100% or it's cold out, you will get less. Starting full gives you the maximum buffer.
Bring the charging cards and know your access: In each HOURCAR and Evie vehicle, there are charging RFID cards (like a ChargePoint card or an EV Spot Network card) in the glovebox. These allow you to activate certain chargers. For example, the EV Spot card can be used at the EV Spot public chargers around the Twin Cities, and HOURCAR covers the cost.

Similarly, the ChargePoint card should cover charging at ChargePoint network stations that take RFID cards. However, if you plan to use networks like Electrify America or EVgo on your trip, you might need to use their app or pay with a credit card, as those may not be tied to the HOURCAR account. It's a good idea to install and set up accounts in a few major charging apps (Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint, etc.) you may plan to use before the trip. That way, if you arrive at a charger and the RFID card provided doesn't work for it, you can quickly activate a session through your phone. Having multiple options (app, card, tap-to-pay) means you won't be stranded if one method fails. If you're unsure which networks are paid by HOURCAR and which you must pay for, ask Member Services in advance.

Reimbursement for Charging

If you need to use a charger that doesn't have a provided card, send us the receipts for your charge costs and we'll reimburse you via drive credit.
Always have a “Plan B” (and C): We touched on this earlier, but it's worth repeating. When you head to a charging station, especially a critical one, identify an alternative nearby station in case things don't go as planned. Maybe the charger is in use, or temporarily offline, or you show up and find it's in a locked parking lot after hours. The PlugShare app is extremely useful here – you can read comments about a site (e.g. “Station is behind the building, only open 7am-7pm” or “Charger #2 is currently broken” etc.).

That info can save you from surprises. If something unexpected happens and you're not sure what to do, don't hesitate to call Member Services. We can help direct you to the nearest available charger or provide support. The peace of mind of having a backup option makes the trip far less stressful.
Conserve energy when needed: If you're cutting it close on range to the next charger, there are a few tricks to stretch your remaining miles. You can slow down a bit (even dropping from 65 mph to 55 mph can gain you extra range to make it to a charger). Turn off or lower the climate control temporarily (use seat heaters or fan only) to reduce load. Close windows for better aerodynamics. In an extreme pinch, drafting slightly behind a large truck at a safe distance can reduce wind drag – though always do this cautiously and not too close. These hypermiling techniques can add a crucial few miles. That said, with good planning you hopefully won't need to do this often. It's just good to know you have options to eke out more range if necessary.
Leverage Level 2 charging opportunities: While DC fast charging is key for moving along on a road trip, don't overlook Level 2 chargers at destinations. If you're stopping somewhere for a longer period (say a park, a tourist attraction, or overnight at a hotel), see if there's a Level 2 charger you can use there. Even a few hours on a Level 2 can add a decent amount of range (20-30+ miles per hour) to your car while you're doing something else. Many hotels offer charging for guests – sometimes free, sometimes for a fee. This can allow you to start the next segment of your trip with a fuller battery, potentially skipping a fast-charge stop. Use PlugShare or hotel websites to find these.
Use navigation aids: Apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps now include electric vehicle charger locations too. As you drive, if you realize you need a charge sooner than planned, you can ask your phone to find “EV charging near me” and you might discover an alternative. Just always verify compatibility (connector type and network) with what your car can use.
Stay safe and have fun: Last but not least, treat the electric vehicle road trip as a new adventure. Give yourself permission to take breaks and enjoy the journey. Electric vehicle road trips often encourage you to explore towns and stops you might otherwise just blaze past. Many charging stations are located near restaurants, shops, or points of interest, so you can make the most of your downtime. And safety-wise, if you're traveling in very remote areas or uncertain conditions, consider carrying a basic emergency kit (water, snacks, a blanket, etc.), just as you would in any car for a long trip.

Remember, all HOURCAR and Evie trips include roadside assistance, so if anything goes really wrong (e.g., a flat tire or you do run out of charge completely), help can be dispatched. But we expect with good planning you won't need that – it's just a safety net.

Conclusion

Your first long-distance electric vehicle trip with HOURCAR/Evie Carshare might feel different from a gas car road trip, but it's absolutely doable and can be very rewarding. The keys are: plan ahead, drive wisely, and use the resources available to you. By mapping your route and charging stops (and backups) in advance, you'll know exactly where to go and avoid range anxiety. By moderating your speed and leveraging your vehicle's efficiency features, you'll maximize your miles between charges. By understanding how cold weather and charging curves affect your car, you can adapt your strategy and timing. And by knowing the ins and outs of charging connectors, you won't waste time at the wrong station. Thousands of electric vehicle drivers take road trips every day – now it's your turn to join them. Take it from others who have done it: with a little planning and a bit of patience, road trips in electric vehicles are totally possible and even enjoyable.

You might take a bit longer to get there, but you'll likely discover new places and have a more relaxed journey along the way. If you have any questions before or during your trip, HOURCAR/Evie Member Services is just a phone call away. We're here to help you succeed and to handle any hiccups. Our goal is for you to have a great experience and build confidence in taking EVs on any adventure. Happy driving, and enjoy your electric road trip! ⚡🚗✨