Travel by electric car this summer

Let go of the safe charging box at home and go on a road trip this summer. With a little preparation and planning, your vacation will be just as peaceful and pleasant as you want it to be. And it doesn't have to take that much longer compared to a fossil-powered car.

Make your charge on the road into something more than an impatient wait

Check for the best charging spots and do any of the moments you need to stop by. Standing and rolling your thumbs is not something you want on a hot summer day, especially if the kids are with you.

Best travel planner electric car

Check in advance where there are charging points, whether you can charge there and what payment methods are available. On many electric cars, electric car charging is embedded in the system. There are also several good apps that show you where the nearest charging station is located.

www.abetterrouteplanner.com
www.chargemap.com
www.chargefinder.com/en
www.plugshare.com/en
www.google.se/maps
Apple Maps

Load up at the hotel or campsite and be ready after breakfast.

Today, many hotel chains and campgrounds have charging sites for their guests. An easy way is to plan your trip after your hotel nights or consult with the hotels or campsites that are in the places you want to stay overnight if they have electric car charging.

Do not charge to one hundred percent

Don't charge more than you need to the next place you're going. After 80% charge, it takes so much longer. Charging from 80 to 100% can take as long as 80 to 100 percent as from 20 to 80 percent. Charge properly and the trip will go faster too. As an experienced electric car owner, you may dare to go a little lower, then it is faster to charge, many charge first when it is almost empty and then up to 60%, then the journey goes faster. But it's a trade-off, depending on how much time you have and if you don't want to feel that worry that the electricity won't be enough for the next charge.

Run longer and charge less

Take a detour. Choose a smaller road and you will drive slower and save on electricity. At the same time, we can promise that you will discover new things.

Make charging an experience. ChargeNode's charging stations are in many fun places

Make the most of charging time for something more fun than sitting and waiting. Think swimming spots, golf courses, adventure parks, restaurants and shopping malls. Or places that you can go to, a beautiful natural area, the best views or a dip in the sea or a lake.

Here you can find ChargeNode's charging stations this summer:

Amusement parks

Skara Summerland
Leksands Summerland
Astrid Lindgren's world in Vimmerby
Branas
Furuvik, Gavle

The “steam locomotive” in Trollhättan is right next door Saab Museum and Innovatum Science Center. The area where we have charging is called Ångloket and is located next to an old steam locomotive, close to the falls and water areas in central Trollhättan. There are also several playgrounds and a mini golf course.

Public charging stations in many municipalities

Many municipalities offer public charging stations in cities. A great option if you are going for lunch, coffee or going to a museum.

Bring the Type 2 charging cable

Don't forget to bring your Type 2 charging cable just in case. Then you can recharge. With the charging cable, you can charge at, for example, our smart charging points that provide up to 22 kW. It's a smart choice if you plan to stay a little longer, a couple of hours or more.

Warm and comfortable, but not as comfortable for electric car charging

To cool down a hot car, it takes off the car's battery capacity. Save on capacity by parking in a shady spot and re-acclimatize if possible in your car.

Don't charge when you have to. Charge when you can

Always take the opportunity to charge if there is an electric car charger where you are, even if you are fine with charging. It doesn't have to be long, but it will take you a little longer.

What happens if I am left without charging?

It happens thousands of times every year that electric cars are left on the road and the most common cause is, of course, lack of electricity. Then there's not that much more to do than call a tow truck. They will take you to a charging station, some also have an emergency charging service on site. Check what applies to your car and insurance. Another way is to get a portable charging box that you can plug into a regular plug, but then you can't get stops out of nowhere. If you stop after the road, the Swedish Transport Administration recommends that you warn with turn signals, set a warning triangle at a good distance, leave the car and the road and call a car rescuer.

What should I do when loading in a dreary place?

Get your blood circulation going with some simple movements or a short walk, take some fresh air or close your eyes for a while. Stock up on something to drink and eat and plan your onward journey or update your friends where you are.

Pay for your electric car charge

It will be much easier to pay for your charge in the future. But this summer, it might be useful to check a little bit how you can pay. Some stations charge via an app, others manage contactless payment by card and mobile or with RFID tags. In the future, it will be much easier when EU AFIR acquis gets an impact. The requirement is that there should be different types of payment options for fast charging. For example, there should be card payment on new fast chargers over 50 kW and you should not have to sign any contracts.

Can you drive an electric car in Europe?

It requires a little more planning if you're going out in Europe. But it's no surprise that long journeys require a little more preparation. But after the big roads, the network is well developed. There are also several apps that make travel easy. In the long term, it will be much easier in the whole with a new European regulatory framework whose aim is that everyone who has an electric car can go anywhere and feel confident that there is charging everywhere that is easy to use, easy to pay and clear about what it costs. Here you can read more about AFIR, which stands for the Regulation on the Development of Infrastructure for Alternative Fuels.

Finally, take your vacation with peace and quiet. Plan in your stops and some in reserve. Drive softly and nicely and get further on a charge. And above all, arrive safe and secure.