Inside: The Ultimate Guide to Planning an EV Road Trip in Australia. Collaborative post.
Are you planning an EV road trip in the land down under?
If so, we hear you! The sense of adventure in exploring the changing sceneries in Australia can truly be mesmerising.
From the towering coastal cliffs to ochre deserts stretching for miles on end, there are a lot of sights to take in that make any Aussie road trip worth your while.
Beyond your will and wanderlust, you’ll also need a trusty vehicle to use as your main mode of transportation around the country.
And, believe it or not, electric vehicles are becoming a more viable and popular transportation mode with each passing year.
If you’re planning to hit the road with an electric vehicle, then this ultimate guide can help you make it a smooth and successful one.
Let’s look into seven things you need to know when going on an EV road trip.
1. Get A Budget Sorted Out
Before embarking on an EV road trip, you need to ensure that you have enough funds to see it to its completion. This way, you won’t end the trip with an empty (or worse, negative) balance in your bank account.
If your road trip is still weeks or months away, put in the effort to change your financial habits to prepare for it.
For instance, you can temporarily halt your daily coffee expenses and put the money you would’ve spent into your travel fund. This way, you can slowly accumulate funds and make your trip more financially feasible.
It’s also important to plan your EV road trip realistically and around your means. If your income is steady but not on the high side, then don’t prepare to splurge multiple bands on the incoming trip. Ensure that your travel fund is no more than 10% of your overall wealth.
Once you have a budgeted amount in mind, allocate a cap for the different expense categories like food, accommodation, tours, and other things like the cost of EV charging stations.
This way, you’ll be conscious about your spending and not end up overspending in certain categories during your road trip.
2. Assess Your Vehicle’s Condition
Another important aspect of road trip planning with an EV is assessing the vehicle’s condition. You wouldn’t want your car to experience any sudden malfunctions while out on the road, especially in an unfamiliar place in the middle of nowhere.
One way to prevent getting stranded (or worse, injuring yourself) is by thoroughly inspecting your car for damages or faults before you set out to drive.
Unlike gas-powered cars, you don’t have to do tune-ups or fluid changes since you’re no longer working with a combustible engine. Instead, you’ll have to check EV-specific features like your battery, the dashboard and its software, the EV braking system, and the charging port.
Of course, also be sure to check the external car parts. Look at the EV tyres, the suspensions, windshield fluids, and the frame for any dinks and damages. If there are any, have them patched up or replaced by an EV repair specialist.
3. Choose Your Road Trip Route
Australia is filled to the brim with fantastic road trip routes, each with its own fantastic selection of natural landmarks and cultural hotspots.
In Victoria, there’s the Great Ocean Road, featuring massive limestone formations in a winding coastal backdrop. In New South Wales, there’s the Grand Pacific Drive, featuring nice beaches and towns as well as the oldest national park in the country.
There’s also the 600-km long Sydney to Brisbane road trip that you can undertake if you’re brave enough.
Each state and territory has its own road trip route, and some even have multiple stellar destinations. The best part about planning a road trip for yourself is that you get to call the shots.
If you want to fly to Alice Springs and start your road trip there with a campervan, you’re more than able to!
Besides planning the road trip route, highlight some general spots that you’d want to go to. Add a couple of supplementary spots that you’re considering visiting as well.
This way, you can maximise your road trip and always have a backup destination plan if things start to take a detour.
4. Protect Yourself and Your Car
An often overlooked but important thing you should prepare before a major road trip is a comprehensive insurance policy. While CTP is mandatory for all registered motor vehicles, it’s highly recommended to have comprehensive car insurance as well.
Standard CTP doesn’t cover damages to your car, the third person’s car, and their property. This means that if you encounter a collision with solely CTP insurance, then you could end up shelling out thousands of dollars in repair expenses.
That’s not all. Natural disasters, theft, and vandalism are also not covered by CTP insurance. If you want to be fully protected, then having comprehensive car insurance, specifically for EVs, can help give you the financing to deal with these potential risks.
Besides EV car insurance, you may also consider getting travel insurance. This travel-specific insurance policy protects you from mishaps you may encounter during your trip as well, like lost baggage and medical emergencies.
And even if you don’t encounter these problems, at least you’ll have peace of mind throughout your road trip knowing that you’re fully protected.
5. Plot Out Charging Stations
For popular road trip routes, there are typically a few EV charging ports stationed around highways and public roads that you can use to charge. But to ensure that you hit these places, it’s best to use navigational apps like PlugShare to plot out charging stations along your route.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all of these charging ports are fast-charging infrastructure. If you’re in more remote areas of Australia, then you may have to deal with slower, level 1 charging ports to fuel your EV for the rest of the trip.
Being limited to a slow charging station means you may have to stay docked in a specific spot for long periods. You should research the area you’re charging in and book accommodations beforehand to allow you some time to rest.
6. Research the Weather and Road Conditions
Electric vehicles are quite sensitive to extreme weather, both hot and cold. As this is the case, it’s important to check the weather conditions of the places you’re visiting beforehand to ensure that you’re not exposing your EV to these extreme elements.
Besides looking at the weather, you should also look at the road conditions of the places you intend to pass through. Some remote roads may have rugged roads, unfinished construction, or are just plain dangerous to traverse for your EV. Furthermore, some places may be experiencing unbearable traffic, especially if you’re travelling during the holiday season.
To ensure that you won’t end up in any unwanted situation with a broken-down EV, do your research beforehand on the weather and road conditions.
7. Pack Smart and Light
Packing smart and light is crucial for a smooth road trip with your electric vehicle.
Begin by creating a checklist of essential items to avoid overpacking. This should be broken down into your personal belongings, essential travel documents, electronics, EV car parts and tools, food and beverages, and entertainment systems.
Following that, ensure that you’re stuffing your car with excessive items. You don’t have to bring a dozen outfits for a 3 to 4-day road trip. Learn to pack less and to minimise the amount of bulky items you’re bringing.
If you’re driving a small EV, you may opt to buy things as needed in retail stores and groceries along the way instead of bringing them directly from your house. This can free up space in your car, lessening distractions and improving comfort along the way.