Long-distance travel with an electric car: how to plan your charging

Long-distance travel in an electric car is easy once you stop planning it like a trip in a petrol car. Instead of waiting for the battery to drop almost to zero, it's better to think in ranges: leaving with enough charge, taking short stops in the battery's fast-charging zone, and having a backup option if a station is busy or out of service.

Plan around charging points, not just kilometers

The navigation system might show 300 km to your destination, but what matters is where the reliable stations are along the route. Pick a primary station and at least one backup within a radius you can comfortably reach.

Before you set off, check:

• the station's power output;
• the connector — CCS2, Type 2, or another type;
• the current status in the app;
• recent comments from other users;
• the payment method;
• whether the location has more than one charging point.

Fastest doesn't always mean best

Many cars charge fastest between roughly 10% and 60–70%. After that, the speed often drops. So two shorter stops can end up faster overall than one long charge to 100%.

A good practice is to arrive at a fast charger with a sufficiently low charge, but not right at the edge. For most routes, a comfortable minimum is 10–15%, and in winter, rain, strong wind, or on an unfamiliar network it's wise to keep a larger buffer.

Temperature changes everything

Winter increases consumption and can reduce charging speed, especially if the battery is cold. Some cars pre-condition the battery when navigating to a DC station. If your model supports it, use it.

Factors that increase consumption:

• high highway speed;
• low temperature;
• headwind;
• wet roads;
• a roof box;
• winter tires;
• cabin heating.

Don't rely on a single station

The most common mistake is a route with one critical charging point. If it's occupied, broken, or blocked, the whole plan falls apart. On a long trip, every key stop should have a backup option.

If you're traveling on busy days, avoid stations with only one connector at the location. It's better to stop at a hub with several chargers, even if it's a few kilometers off your route.

What to bring

For travel outside the city, it's useful to have:

• a Type 2 cable;
• active apps or maps for the main network operators;
• a bank card as a backup payment method;
• a phone charger;
• addresses of backup stations;
• roadside assistance contacts;
• a plan for slower AC charging in an emergency.

Speed is the biggest cost

With electric cars, the difference between 110 km/h and 140 km/h can change your entire route plan. Higher speed often means more time spent at charging stations, even if it saves minutes on the road.

If your goal is the shortest total travel time, test different scenarios: driving faster with more charging stops, or a more moderate speed with one fewer stop. For many EVs, the second option is more relaxed and often actually faster.

Conclusion

Good EV travel is planned with a buffer. Choose reliable stations, keep a reasonable charge buffer, don't chase 100% unnecessarily, and match your speed to your real-world consumption. That way an electric car becomes predictable on a long route too, not just around town.