6 Tips to Plan Ahead for a Family Road Trip in Your Electric Car

A family trip can be a source of joy as well as stress since you need to manage your children on your way to a new destination. For this reason, planning an electric car family road trip in advance can make your trip much more pleasurable and successful.

You can think ahead of all the things your children and you might need, and then pack or buy them in advance. Fortunately, if you opt for a family car rental in Iceland, your electric car is built to ensure a smooth and easier drive, and a quieter one so your family and you can speak with one another without needing to shout over the engine noise.

Here are six tips to plan so you have a happy, stress-free family adventure in your electric car.

Charge the Car in Advance

Your car is going to be the place your kids and you spend hours in. So, make sure your car has enough charge to give you a head start. Just as you would fill up a regular car with fuel before you set out on a long trip, charging an electric car can ensure you don’t need to keep stopping to recharge the car batteries.

To know more about electric car charging before a trip and EV charging times, visit the linked piece.

Map Out the Route for Charging

Electric car charging points are growing in number every year. But they are still nowhere as commonly found as petrol and diesel refilling stations.

So, before you head out, it can be a good idea to chart out the exact route you need to take to make sure you have easy access to an electric car charging station when you need it. Also, check how long one whole charge will take you, from the charging done before leaving.

You might also need to factor in a buffer to the expected time of arrival since the charging stations might be busy with other customers. Also, instead of waiting to charge at the last possible charging station, it can be a good idea to charge at an earlier one.

This is because, sometimes the car can end up taking more charge than you anticipated, or there can be very long queues at the last charging point.

Check Charger Compatibility

Another factor to consider is that your car batteries might not be compatible with all the electric car chargers out there. The chargers could be any of CCS/CHAdeMO/Type 2/Tesla Supercharger. So, make sure you circle out only those electric car charging stations in your route that offer chargers compatible with your electric car’s battery. 

Plan Breaks Around Charge Points

When you’re travelling with children, it can be a good idea to take breaks every now and then so they get a chance to walk and run around. Staying cooped up inside the car for a long journey can make children irritable and bored. You can also opt to stay at a hotel overnight while you let your electric car charge.

That way, you avoid waiting in a queue inside a hot car if the electric car charging station is already occupied. Alternatively, you can chart out dining and toilet breaks so they can happen in restaurants in or around the electric car charging stations.

Stopping for breaks also lets you keep a closer eye on the amount of charge the car is consuming.

Be Prepared for Various Eventualities

Sometimes, the best planning can go awry due to something entirely out of your hands. Unexpected traffic jams can occur, someone in the car can experience sudden motion sickness, minor arguments can break out from staying cooped up, etc.

The trick is to be prepared. Stock your car with emergency snacks. There should ideally be something for everybody. Stock up on hot coffee in a thermos, plenty of water and cold drinks in a mini fridge.

Carry essential travel items such as wipes and paper napkins to clean up spills, disposable bags for motion sickness, blankets, and your children’s favourite toys. 

Let Go of Small Things and Try to Stay Calm

Murphy’s law can be especially true when travelling. Anything that can go wrong, might, and then some.

The trick is to remember that this is how travelling with kids goes for everyone. Unexpected spills and minor arguments are going to happen.

Just reminding yourself of this can help you calm down. Let go of small incidents as the tiny price you pay for having fun overall and getting to hang out with the whole family in a cool, new place!

A family trip can be an adventure your children and you will never forget! Plan ahead to make the most of it!

Related Posts and Additional Resources:

• What are the five main types of electric vehicles? 
• How to Make Your Next Family Road Trip Remarkable 
• 7 Ways to Save Money During Your Family Road Trip
• 7 Essentials for Your Family Road Trip
• 5 Exciting Family Holiday Activities to Try This Summer in UK
• The Best RV Campers for Your Family