Vacation travel with an electric car
With rising gasoline prices and the increasing popularity of electric cars, more and more people want to start a road trip with an electric vehicle. Because the network of charging stations is not yet equally well developed everywhere, the journey must be well prepared. This article discusses helpful tips for traveling with an electric car and which destinations are good for an electric road trip. In addition to infrastructure, some destinations also require mandatory travel documents such as a visa or ESTA.
Range, charging stations and plugs
One of the most important aspects for an electric vehicle vacation is the range of the car. Those who go on vacation with their own car would do well to test the maximum range in practice and under the climatic conditions of the travel destination. Sometimes there is a big difference between the theoretical and the actual range. For vacations in the Netherlands, range plays a lesser role than for trips to southern or eastern Europe. Indeed, the Netherlands has the highest density of charging points in Europe. It is always advisable to check the locations of charging points on the chosen route, so that one does not find oneself unexpectedly without power.
In addition, travelers in electric cars must consider differences in the types of charging plugs and poles. The Type 2 plug is standard in Europe, but in some European countries you can still find mainly Type 3 plugs. Further, Tesla has their own “Superchargers” that are not always accessible to other brand’s cars. Especially in the UK and in America, the “Superchargers” are often only accessible to Tesla cars.
Road trip through America
America is a fantastic destination for a true road trip. The country has some iconic highways on which travelers can explore the changing landscapes and bustling cities. Among the best-known routes are the “Route 66” from Illinois to California, the “Pacific Coast Highway” along the California coast, and the “Great River Road” along the Mississippi River. On these routes, travelers can enjoy the ultimate American freedom and leave all worries behind. Most travelers still choose a car that runs on gasoline or diesel, but even in America it is often no problem to travel with an electric car.
Preparing your trip to America
Before booking the flights and renting the car, it is good to check the conditions for travel to America. In America, there is a visa requirement. This means that all travelers must obtain a visa or other type of travel authorization in advance. Travelers from the Netherlands can easily apply for an ESTA from home. This electronic travel authorization for America allows travelers to spend 90 consecutive days in America, ideal for a road trip. There are some specific requirements for travel with an ESTA. For example, it is not permitted to use the ESTA if one has been to Cuba before.
Roadtrip America with an electric car
America is one of the countries with the most electric cars and because of this the infrastructure is also well developed. Some of America’s most iconic auto routes are also great to drive with an electric car, such as Route 66. However, it is advisable to map out the route well in advance to avoid running out of power along the way. This gives a little less freedom than a regular road trip, but that doesn’t make an electric road trip any less fun, and the environmental impact is also considerably smaller. In particular, Interstate 95 on America’s east coast and the West Coast Electric Highway on the west coast are perfect targets for road trips in an electric vehicle. On these roads, motorists will find at least one charging station per 100 km of road length.
The future is electric
It is certainly not yet possible everywhere to cover longer distances with an electric car without problems, but because of the constant development of the infrastructure around electric mobility, it will soon be quite normal to go on vacation with an electric car. At present, however, it is still advisable to limit travel plans to regions with a high density of charging stations, such as Western Europe or the Americas. In addition to the range of the car, the type of plug and the amount of charging stations, travelers should also inform themselves about general travel conditions before departure. For example, travel to America requires an ESTA or a visa.