This era in mobility is partly reminiscent of the period when folks began to switch from manual transmissions to vehicles with automatic transmissions, and understandably so. Automatic transmissions simply offer better technology and a better driving experience.
Automatic transmissions do not necessarily save the driver that much on fuel costs, and they certainly do not protect the environment. However, electric vehicles do.
Reportedly, 61% of EV drivers made their vehicle selection to save money and 58% did so because of the technology. It is little wonder that combustion engines are starting to feel like relics.
Inquisitively, several current and would-be EV drivers have asked how and if they could travel long distances in these vehicles. The short answer is yes, but with a bit of necessary planning.
Let us take a look at how you could plan a successful long-distance trip with your EV.
Map out your entire route.
It is important to know your route before you embark on your journey. You should get out your map and study the entire distance of your journey, educating yourself on how many kilometres you are travelling to get to your destination and where to make stops. This also means you need to know the range of your vehicle.
For instance, the MAXe M3 has a range of 120km with a passenger and 160km without a passenger. Ideally, you want to start thinking about your next charge, or battery swap (if that feature exists, like in the case of the M3), when you hit the 80km — 100 km mark.
Limit your stops to places with chargers.
When travelling long distances, there is a temptation to make many stops for various reasons, like purchasing snacks. However, you want to make sure you stop, park, and shop in places that offer the kind of parking that preserves your battery life.
Alternatively, you could make your stops in areas where you can charge your vehicle while you do your shopping.
Test the waters by requesting a demo.
If you are nervous about how you could drive your vehicle through a long-distance optimally, you can always request a demo from your provider. The vehicle experts would be more than willing to explain everything you need to know to you. And better still, if you have the appropriate license, take you for a test drive.
Buy extra snacks with your savings.
This is basically to improve your driving experience. Thankfully, you can take some of the savings you make on fuel and engine oil costs, and put them towards road grub.
Cruising is always better.
As a general rule, driving your electric vehicle without excessive pressure on your accelerator and brakes helps the vehicle stay efficient for an extended period. Long-distance travel is certainly when you need your vehicle to be in peak condition. Again, this reduces the pressure on your battery and gives you a better overall driving experience.
Taking your electric vehicle for a long-distance drive should not give you anxiety. You just need the proper information and you could be on your way to enjoying travel experiences that are defining the future of mobility. Furthermore, if you need any advice on electric mobility, you can always talk to one of the experts at MAX.
