Your first EV road trip? The 5 mistakes to avoid before you set off

Heading off on your first electric car holiday this summer? Great news! But let's be honest: between range, charging stations, networks and charging times, there are plenty of questions to answer before you hit the road. The good news is that with the right preparation, an EV road trip can be just as relaxed as driving a petrol car. Here are the most common mistakes EV drivers make and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: setting off without planning your charging stops

This is the most classic mistake of all. You tell yourself you'll find a charging station along the way, just like you'd find a petrol station. But with an electric car, a little preparation really does make all the difference. Without planning, you can find yourself scrambling for an available charging station at the last minute — which is easily avoidable with the right tools.

The good news: the Chargemap route planner sorts this out in just a few minutes. Enter your starting point, destination and battery level, and the planner automatically selects the most suitable charging stops for your vehicle, factoring in your real-world range, station reliability and your preferred networks.

Tip: customise your stops to suit your break preferences

The Chargemap route planner also lets you set the duration of your breaks or the battery level you want before getting back on the road. Fancy a relaxed lunch while you charge? Set a 45-minute break. Prefer to leave at 80% rather than 100% to save time? That's configurable too. And if a suggested charging station doesn't work for you, you can choose an alternative on the map without recalculating the whole route.

Also read: Chargemap route planner: how to use it properly

On the road: let Copilot mode take over

Once your journey is underway, Copilot mode (included in the Chargemap Boost subscription) detects the best available charging stations on your route in real time. No need to dive back into the planner mid-journey: the assistant adapts to your situation live, with an interface designed for quick and safe consultation at the wheel.

Also read: Copilot mode: hit the road without worrying about your next stop

Mistake #2: aiming for 100% at every stop

We get it — you want a "full tank" for peace of mind. But on a fast charger, charging slows down significantly above 80%. In practice, going from 20% to 80% can take 20 to 30 minutes. Going from 80% to 100% can take almost as long, for just a few dozen extra kilometres.

The rule to remember: charge between 20% and 80%. This is the range where charging is fastest and most efficient. On a long journey with several stops, you can easily save 30 to 45 minutes in total.

In the Chargemap planner, you can set the desired battery level at each stop before getting back on the road — a simple way to keep your charges within the most efficient window, without having to think about it at the station.

Mistake #3: not adapting your driving to summer conditions

In summer, a few things change compared to everyday driving: air conditioning runs more often, motorways are busier, and temperatures can vary from one region to another. Nothing insurmountable, but a few simple adjustments can make your journey even more comfortable.

• Pre-condition the cabin while your car is still plugged in — the air conditioning draws from the grid rather than the battery
• Adopt a moderate cruising speed: this is one of the most effective ways to preserve range on the motorway

Also read: Electric vehicle in hot weather – the impact on charging

Mistake #4: juggling multiple charging cards and apps

You've spotted an IONITY charging station on your route, a Powerdot station at your lunch stop, and an Atlante station at your destination. Three different networks, three accounts to create, and potentially three different apps to download and/or charging cards to carry. This is exactly the kind of situation you want to avoid.

The Chargemap Pass: a complete European charging solution

With Chargemap, you have a comprehensive charging solution: the app to locate charging stations, read community reviews and plan your route; and the Chargemap Pass, an EV charging card that lets you charge at over 1,000,000 charging points across 19 European countries, on more than 2,000 networks including IONITY, Powerdot, Fastned, Allego and many more. One card, one account, one app.

The Chargemap Club and Boost: optimise your charging costs

To go further, the Chargemap Club gathers all current discount offers from partner networks directly in the app. Some of these offers come from Super Partners networks, which work with Chargemap to provide preferential rates to Chargemap Pass users. A simple reflex to adopt before each charge to keep costs down throughout your trip.

Do you drive frequently and want to save even more? The Chargemap Boost subscription lets you charge with no service fee using the Chargemap Pass, unlock the cheapest route in the planner — which selects the most cost-effective stations on your journey — and access Copilot mode to manage your charging in real time.

Mistake #5: not checking charging options at your destination

We often remember to plan the outward journey but forget to check charging options at the destination. Result: you arrive at the hotel or campsite with 15% battery, only to find the nearest charging station is 10 kilometres away.

Before you leave, take five minutes to browse the Chargemap map around your destination. Filter by station type, by Chargemap Pass-compatible network, or by community rating to identify the most reliable stations. Reviews from other drivers are particularly useful for avoiding unpleasant surprises — out-of-order stations, tricky access, long wait times in peak season.

Many hotels, campsites and shopping centres now have on-site charging stations. Check the Chargemap map before booking your accommodation.

Also read: Going on holiday by electric car: 10 handy tips for stress-free charging