“But where do you charge it?” Planning an electric road trip

At the shows we attend, “But where do you charge it?” is one of the questions we hear most often about electric campervans. It’s a fair question, especially if you’re thinking about taking an EV beyond your usual daily drive.

The good news is that an electric road trip doesn’t have to be complicated. It does take a little planning, and we’ve found that a few simple habits make a big difference.

Plan to arrive with a buffer

The range figure on your dashboard is a guide. How far you’ll travel on a charge can change with your speed, the road, the weather and how much you’re carrying. So we plan around the charge we want to have left when we arrive, rather than treating the displayed range as a promise.

For a drive such as Brisbane to Coffs Harbour, our aim would be to plan the charging stop so we reach Coffs Harbour with at least 20% charge remaining. Having a buffer gives you more flexibility if conditions change or you need to adjust your plans.

Check the charging stop before you set off

We haven’t had an issue fitting our van into charging bays so far. Even so, it’s sensible to check the station layout before you arrive, especially if you’re travelling with a trailer. A quick look at the site or its satellite view can help you see how the bays are arranged and whether you’ll have room to get in and out comfortably.

If you’re towing, check whether a charger has a pull-through bay. Otherwise, you may need to unhitch before charging.

An overnight stop can add useful charge

A powered caravan park site can be useful when you’re staying overnight. A 15-amp connection can provide up to about 3.5 kW, depending on the site and your vehicle’s charging equipment. That can add a useful amount of charge while you sleep, although it won’t be the same as a fast charge or a guaranteed full recharge.

Always check with the park before plugging in. Some sites have limits or charge extra for EV charging, and the available power can vary.

Have a backup in mind

On regional routes, charging options can be more spread out. Before leaving a town, check your next planned stop and have an alternative in mind in case a charger is unavailable. It’s a small step that can make the trip feel much more relaxed.

This is also where a charging map or route-planning tool can help. At Everything Electric Sydney, I met Rob from Plugroo, an Australian EV charging website and app. I haven’t had the chance to use it on a road trip yet, but I’ve spent time exploring the website and it looks very good. It brings charging locations from different networks together on one map and offers route planning and charger recommendations.

If you’re planning a trip, have a look at Plugroo’s website and explore the app from there.

Make time for the stop

One of the enjoyable parts of travelling by EV is that charging can encourage you to slow down and explore places along the way. A break doesn’t have to mean sitting in the van watching the charge level rise. Stretch your legs, find a local café or pub, and give yourself time to enjoy the stop.

So, where do you charge an electric campervan? You plan your route, check your stops and leave yourself a sensible buffer. Then you can get on with enjoying the trip.

Planning an electric road trip? Take a look at Plugroo to explore its Australian charger map and route-planning tools.