Author: Steve

Planning a long journey in an electric car requires some thoughtful preparation to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here are some key tips to consider:

1. 1. Charge Before You Go: Start your journey with a fully charged battery. This will give you the maximum range and reduce the need for frequent stops early in your trip.
   2. Plan Your Route: Use an EV route planning tool like A Better Route Planner (ABRP) https://abetterrouteplanner.com to map out your journey. These tools can help you locate charging stations along your route and estimate charging times.
   3. Know Your Range

• • • Check your real-world range, not just the manufacturer’s claim. Cold weather, speed, hills, and air conditioning can affect this.
    • Leave some buffer—plan to recharge when you’re at ~20% battery to avoid anxiety.

1. 4. Charging Strategy: Follow the three golden rules for charging on EV road trips:

• • • Stop rapid charging around 80% full, as charging beyond this point takes much longer.
    • Plan to stop before your battery hits 20% to avoid stress and maintain battery health.
    • Choose reliable charging networks like PowerDot, Total Engeries, Instavolt, Osprey, MFG, and Gridserve.

1. 5. Overnight Charging: If possible, choose accommodation with charging facilities. This allows you to charge your car overnight and start each day with a full battery.
   6. Pre-Trip Checks: Make sure your EV is in good condition before setting off. Check tyre pressure, fluid levels, and ensure your charging cables are in good working order.
   7. Drive Efficiently: Driving at a steady speed and avoiding rapid acceleration can help maximize your range. Slowing down slightly can also make a significant difference in your energy consumption.
   8. Be Prepared for Delays: Make allowances for broken or occupied chargers. Having a backup plan for charging stops can save you from unexpected delays.
   9. Prepare for Weather Conditions

• • • Cold weatherreduces range—precondition your car while plugged in and use heated seats instead of cabin heating.
    • Hot weather? Pre-cool your car while charging and park in the shade.

1. 10. Use Charging Time Wisely

• • • Plan charging stops at places with amenities: cafes, restaurants, shops, or scenic spots.
    • Stretch, relax, and enjoy—it’s part of the EV travel experience!

1. 11. Costs: Be aware that the cost of public charging is cheaper in France than it is in UK, therefore consider charging before you get on the boat, or travel through the Channel Tunnel.
   12. Stay Informed: Familiarise yourself with your EV’s range, charging capabilities, and energy efficiency. Understanding your vehicle’s data, such as battery level and range estimations, will help you make informed decisions on the road.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a stress-free and eco-friendly journey in your electric car. Safe travels!

Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their environmental benefits, lower operating costs and advanced technology. However, while EVs can be an excellent choice for many people, they are not necessarily the right fit for everyone. Whether an EV is a good choice depends on factors such as driving habits, charging access, budget and climate.

Who Benefits Most from an EV?

✅ Daily Commuters and Urban Drivers

EVs are ideal for people who mostly drive short to moderate distances each day, such as commuting to work or running errands around the city. Most modern EVs offer ranges between 240 and 500 kilometres per charge, which is more than enough for daily driving needs. Additionally, regenerative braking, which recaptures energy when slowing down, makes EVs particularly efficient in stop-and-go urban traffic.

✅ Homeowners with Charging Access

One of the most convenient aspects of owning an EV is the ability to charge it at home. Homeowners with a garage or driveway can install a Level 2 home charger, which allows for overnight charging. This eliminates the need to visit public charging stations regularly and makes EV ownership much more practical.

✅ Eco-Conscious Consumers

EVs are an excellent option for people looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Unlike petrol- and diesel-powered cars, EVs produce zero exhaust emissions. Even though electricity production may still involve fossil fuels, EVs generally have a lower overall environmental impact compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Moreover, as the grid uses increasingly greener sources, EVs will become even more environmentally sustainable.

✅ Drivers Looking to Save on Fuel and Maintenance Costs

Although EVs can have higher upfront costs, they tend to be cheaper to operate over time. Electricity is typically more affordable than petrol, and EVs require far less maintenance—no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and less wear and tear on the brakes. Over several years, these savings can add up, making an EV a cost-effective option in the long run.

Who Might Face Challenges with an EV?

❌ Long-Distance and Rural Drivers

If you regularly drive longer distances or live in an area with limited charging points, an EV might not be the most practical choice. While public fast-charging networks are rapidly expanding, they are still not as widespread as petrol stations. Charging on long trips takes more time than a quick petrol station stop, and in rural areas, charging stations may be scarcer.

❌ Flat Dwellers and Those Without Reliable Charging Access

If you don’t have a home charger, relying on public charging stations can be inconvenient. While more flats, retailers and workplaces are installing EV chargers, they are not yet available everywhere. If you need to depend solely on public chargers, the experience can be time-consuming and sometimes expensive.

❌ Buyers on a Tight Budget

While EVs can save money on fuel and maintenance, the initial cost is often higher than that of a traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicle. Although government incentives and rebates can help offset the price, they may not be available for all models. For those with a limited budget, a hybrid or a fuel-efficient petrol-powered car might still be a more affordable option.

Conclusion: Should You Buy an EV?

As technology improves and charging networks expand, EVs will become an even more viable option for a wider range of drivers. Here in France, the government is encouraging uptake with grants for vehicle purchase and for installing a charging point at home. Manufacturers are starting to bring in new, smaller models and supporting  leasing deals for drivers with more modest incomes.

Glossary of words associated with Electric Vehicles

• • DC – Direct Current. The battery in most EV’s are 400 Volts D.C.
  • AC – Alternating Current – Your home mains supply is typically 220-240 Volts A.C. EV’s can be connected to AC mains, but the charge rate is much lower than a DC charger and therefore it takes longer.

Unless you live in one of the larger towns or cities in Deux-Sèvres, you’re unlikely to have easy access to public transport, so owning a car is almost essential to your life in France.

If you watch any French TV, you’ll notice that nearly all of the advertisements for cars are for electric vehicles, occasionally for hybrid cars and none for petrol or gazole (diesel) cars.

The EU has declared that the sale of new petrol/diesel cars will end in 2035. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to buy petrol and diesel after that date nor we will see the complete end of internal combustion engines (ICE) from then onwards. Existing cars and the sale of older petrol and diesel cars will still be permitted after 2035. (See https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20221019STO44572/eu-ban-on-sale-of-new-petrol-and-diesel-cars-from-2035-explained)

The decline in production of new petrol and diesel cars has already started with manufacturers moving across to hybrid and fully electric cars and vans.

Also, there is an increasing number of zones à faibles émissions (ZFEs or low emission zones) in France where cars and vans are required to display Crit Air stickers. Some classes of vehicles are now banned from entering and circulating within town and city boundaries.

One example is Rouen which is on a popular route for people travelling back to UK from Deux-Sèvres via the ferries or the Channel Tunnel. It has a ZFE which covers the major routes through the city, even on the ones that bypass the city centre. You have to have a fairly recent diesel vehicle of Class 3 or lower otherwise you might face a fine of €68 for a car or €135 for a heavy vehicle.

I will say up front that driving an electric vehicle is quite a change, especially if like me you have been driving a petrol/diesel car for a few decades, initially a manual and more recently an automatic. There are many things you will need to know before you take the leap to the ‘other side’

• • What is it like to own and drive an electric car?
  • Should you consider a hybrid instead?
  • What are the advantages of going fully electric?
  • What should you consider when buying an electric car?
  • How do you charge your electric or plug-in hybrid car?
  • ‘I don’t understand all this new terminology, Volts, Amps Kilowatts, etc…’
  • How far can I travel before I need to recharge and does it take a long time?

All these questions and more I hope to cover in more detail in the next few months here in The Deux-Sèvres Monthly.

What makes me qualified to report on this topic? I went over to the ‘other side’ two years ago. I had been interested in electric vehicles for a number of years before that. I’m a retired radio communications engineer with an electronics background, so the technology wasn’t too difficult to grasp.

I hope I can share my experience and understanding with all the readers considering going electric. I’ll be breaking the topic down into bite size chunks and hopefully help you to make your own decisions about going electric.

Glossary of words associated with Electric Vehicles

• • ICE – Internal Combustion Engine – Petrol or Diesel or LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) (GPL in French)
  • EV (VE) – Electric Vehicle (Voiture Électrique)
  • BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle – Full electric, no petrol or diesel engine – Zero Emissions
  • HEV – Hybrid Electric Vehicle, the vehicle typically will have a petrol engine as well as an electric motor and battery. The battery is charged from the engine or motor on deceleration
  • PHEV – Plug In Hybrid Electric, the vehicle will have a petrol engine and a larger battery than an HEV, but the battery can also be recharged by plugging it in to a mains supply as well as it being charged on deceleration.