Travelling by car is one of the most popular ways to see the world. Travelling by electric car is also becoming increasingly common. Not only is it a cost-effective way to travel but it’s also convenient and hassle-free. Start with shorter trips around Latvia or the Baltic states and continue by exploring the whole of Europe. We have provided some of the key points that will help you plan your next journey by electric car.

Where to go on an electric car trip?

You can go in any direction, but if the destination you’ve chosen is less popular, it’s advisable to do some research before you go. It’s also worth checking whether any specific advantages apply to electric cars in any of the countries you’re planning to visit.

What kind of electric car is suitable for travelling?

Most modern electric cars are suitable for trips abroad, however, a car that is designed for urban use only and has a low range of up to 200 km and limited fast-charging capacity is not advisable for longer journeys. In this case, choosing a rental car is a better option. However, if your electric car can travel at least 300 km on a full charge and supports fast charging of at least 50 kW DC, your journey will be safe and comfortable.

Know your electric vehicle

Before planning a trip or itinerary, it’s important to understand how far your electric car can go on a full charge and what the planned daily driving limit is. If your car can cover 300 km on a full charge and the daily limit is 400 km, you will only need one charge on the road, which can be combined with a break or a sightseeing visit. Furthermore, on the days when you are not making long journeys, you will not need to charge it during the day.

If you don’t have experience of longer journeys in an electric car, it’s a good idea to take a trip to a distant city or neighbouring country before going on a trip abroad. This will be a great opportunity to get to know the car better, understand its mileage and consumption off the beaten track, and see what charging options are possible and how long it takes to charge.

When planning your trip, you can also use online route planners, where you can enter your route and select your electric vehicle to get a rough itinerary of your journey and the charging schedule.

Choose accommodation with charging options

One of the most convenient charging options is to charge your electric car at the destination where you plan to spend the night. Select accommodation with a charging option in their offer. This service is becoming more and more common and is often included in the price, or is even available free of charge. If there are no charging options at your accommodation, check if there are public charging stations nearby where you can leave your car in the evening and have it fully charged in the morning.

Keep a mileage reserve

If your car battery is approaching 20% charge during the journey, it’s time to think about recharging. It is recommended to keep a mileage reserve of about 50 km. This will help you avoid the stress of a busy or non-functioning charging point and get you safely to the next one.

Don't plan your trip according to charging options

The number of public charging stations has grown rapidly, so you no longer have to adapt your journey according to charging options. If an electric car can travel 300 km, it’s more likely that you will need to stop to rest before your car needs recharging.

You will find charging stations at almost every coffee or lunch spot, or even near tourist attractions. Fast-charging stations can provide up to 100 km of range in just 10 minutes, while high-power charging stations can deliver up to 250 km. Before your trip, check what charging power your electric car supports. Additionally, you don’t need to charge your electric car to 100% – it’s better to top up regularly whenever you have the opportunity.

Types of charging stations

There are two types of public charging stations:

• Slow-charging stations (AC), which take several hours to charge. These stations are suitable for overnight charging or longer sightseeing trips.
• Fast-charging stations (DC), which can charge an electric car from 10% to 80% in less than an hour. They are suitable for short breaks, for instance, coffee or lunch breaks, or a quick visit to a sightseeing attraction.

The more powerful the charging station, the faster you will be able to charge your car but be aware that the cost of charging will be higher. If possible, choose a charging station with a maximum capacity that matches the technical parameters of your car. Please note that the charging rate at fast-charging stations drops significantly after reaching a charge of 80%.

How to find charging stations?

Choose public charging stations according to your needs; check that the type of station, the available capacity, the plug and the billing conditions suit you and your car.

• If you are travelling in the Baltic states, use the Elektrum Drive mobile app to find more than 1,000 public charging points.
• If you are travelling outside the Baltic states, use PlugShare or navigation apps (for instance, Google Maps, Waze), or the built-in navigation system of the car if online information is available on it.

How to pay at charging stations?

Most charging stations charge per kWh of electricity consumed, but some also charge for the time spent at the charging station (in minutes).

The most common payment method is via the mobile app of the specific charging provider, but more and more stations are also offering the option of paying by card at a payment terminal.

Travel Smarter with Postpaid!

Choose to travel across the Baltics with the Elektrum Drive mobile app, where you’ll find over 1,000 charging points, including Elektrum Drive, our partners, and other network stations in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

By signing a postpaid contract, you’ll enjoy several benefits – access to lower charging prices across the Baltics, receiving a single invoice for charging at the end of the month, and other conveniences. This way, traveling will not only be more cost-effective but also more convenient, as you won’t need to pay for each charging session separately.