How to charge your EV on a road trip: 8 practical tips you’ll actually use 

Planning your first road trip with an electric vehicle? Whether you’re heading into the outback or cruising along the coast, charging your EV on the road takes a bit more planning than filling up a petrol tank. Here are 8 essential tips to make EV travel smooth, safe, and stress-free. 

1. Know your range – and give yourself some buffer 

Your EV might say 500 kilometres, but that number can drop fast depending on how and where you drive. Speed, hills, heat, air con –it all impacts your battery. Plan ahead using a buffer and assume less than the max range. That way, you won’t end up with an empty battery in the middle of nowhere. 

2. Stop charging at 80% (most of the time) 

Here’s the thing: the last 20% of charging takes the longest. That’s because charging slows down to protect your battery. 

Tip: If your car supports battery pre-heating or pre-conditioning, consider enabling it before charging. This warms up the battery to its optimal temperature, helping to speed up the charging process—especially in colder conditions. 

Unless you really need those extra miles, it’s faster (and better for your battery) to charge to 80%, drive, and charge again later. 

Charge only to 100% when: 

• You’re heading into a remote area with no chargers 
• You plan to stop overnight and have time for a full charge 

Another smart habit: try not to let your battery drop below 20%. 
Why? Because deep discharging stresses the battery and can shorten its lifespan. Most EVs use lithium-ion batteries, which perform best between a 20% and 80% state of charge. Staying in this range helps reduce battery degradation over time and keeps your car ready for unexpected trips. 

3. Use the shade when you can 

Charging under a full sun may not seem like a big deal, but EV batteries like to stay cool. If you’re parked at a charger on a hot day, choose a shaded spot if possible. It helps your battery stay efficient and prevents slower charging speeds due to heat. 

4. Map your route and your charging stops 

Use apps, platforms, or the Smappee App to map out public EV charging stations along your route. Always have a plan B in case your chosen charger is busy or out of service. 

Tip: Look for: 

• DC fast chargers for a quick top-up (great on highways) 
• AC chargers at hotels, shopping centres or car parks 

5. Carry an EV charging card or download a local app 

Not all charging stations accept app payments. Some only work with an RFID card or require Visa or Mastercard for payment. To avoid surprises, it’s smart to carry an EV charging card, which gives you access to a broad network of public chargers. Alternatively, download a local charging app that supports the country or region you’re travelling in. 

Tip: With the Smappee Smart Charge card you can access more than 620,000 charging points across Europe.

6. Plan charging around breaks 

Treat charging like a rest stop. Plug in your car, stretch your legs, grab a snack, or take a quick nap.

A 30 – 45-minute stop can give you 200+ km of range at a fast charger, and you won’t feel like you’re wasting time. 

7. Don’t rely only on fast chargers 

Yes, DC fast chargers are convenient, but they’re not always available. Add slower AC chargers to your route as backup. These are perfect for overnight stays or longer meal breaks, and they’re easier on your battery. 

8. Check charger status before you arrive 

Use the charger’s app to check: 

• If the charger is in use 
• Its charging speed 
• If it’s working properly 

Some apps even show live availability, so you can avoid wasting time driving to a broken or busy charger.

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6 most common questions about how to charge your EV on a road trip

1. How do you charge an electric car?

Charging an EV is a lot like charging your phone – but bigger. You plug the charging cable into your car and into a charging point. That can be a standard wall outlet, a dedicated home charger, or a public charging station. Some chargers require you to start the session via an app or an RFID card. Once charging starts, your car will show its charging status. 

2. Where does the power come from? 

EV chargers draw electricity from the grid, just like any other appliance. There are two main types: 

• AC charging (slower): converts power inside your car. 
• DC charging (fast): converts power in the charger itself, allowing for much faster charging. 

AC is most common at home and at work charging stations. DC fast chargers are usually found along highways or major public charging hubs. 

3. How long does it take to charge an EV? 

That depends on: 

• Your car’s battery size 
• How full the battery is when you start 
• The speed of the charger 
• Even the temperature outside 

As a rule of thumb: 

• A standard charger (AC) gives you about 40 – 60 km of range per hour. 
• A DC fast charger can give you 200+ km in 30 minutes. 

Tip: The last 20% of your battery charges more slowly. If you’re in a hurry, charging up to 80% is usually enough. 

4. How much does it cost to charge? 

Costs vary based on: 

• Where you charge (home vs. public) 
• The electricity rate (kWh) 
• Your battery size 

Charging at home is usually cheapest, especially if you charge at night or have solar panels. Public chargers, especially fast ones, can be more expensive. Still, charging is generally cheaper than fueling a petrol or diesel car. 

5. How often do I need to charge? 

It depends on how far you drive. Most EVs have a range between 250 and 500 km on a full charge. If you drive an average of 40 – 50 km per day, you’ll only need to charge every few days or once a week. Many EV drivers top up overnight at home, so they always start the day with a full battery. 

6. Where can I charge my EV? 

You can charge: 

• At home (using a wall outlet or home charging station) 
• At work 
• At public charging stations in shopping centres, hotels, or along highways 
• At supermarkets, car parks, or even roadside cafés 

Charging is more flexible than refueling. You can plug in whenever and wherever it suits your routine. 

Ready to hit the road? 

Charging your EV on a road trip doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of planning, the right tools, and these simple tips, you’ll be cruising with confidence. 

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