As the new mode of transportation takes
hold with more drivers, taking a road trip in an EV takes smart
planning
LOS
ANGELES, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 35
million American drivers will be on the road this summer and while
EV infrastructure is still growing, the burgeoning part of the
population of first-time EV owners may have to take additional
steps to ensure a successful road trip.
"It cannot be understated that to successfully travel in an EV,
you must plan out your trip," said Kevin
Quinn, vice president of auto claims at Mercury Insurance.
"Mapping out stops around EV charging stations and taking the time
to make sure your car is prepared by carefully checking your
vehicle's components may help you avoid potential headaches."
Mercury Insurance offers drivers these additional tips to help
them along their holiday travels.
Plan your trip beforehand
Sites like PlugShare, EVgo, Electrify America, and Tesla offer
apps you can download to help organize your trip around available
charging units. Signing up beforehand allows you to program the
type of EV you drive in order to access chargers compatible with
your vehicle. Many popular tourist attractions and hotels also
offer complimentary access to charging stations for guests.
If you're looking to travel to a national park, know that many
RV parks offer Level 2 chargers. It's always best to review
campground policies along with charging information from EV
charging apps to verify that the campground has the type of charger
you need and that they will allow you to charge your car on their
property.
Know the type of charger you need
With the exception of Tesla, which are equipped with an adapter
to fit non-Tesla chargers, you can charge your car at almost any
charging station as long as it is compatible with your vehicle plug
type and that you have the right tap card or mobile app to access
that particular station.
It's also important to know the different levels of public
chargers available and how fast they'll charge your vehicle:
Level 1 chargers are often free
but are the slowest to charge. They can take up to 24 hours to
power your vehicle completely.
Level 2 chargers, found at most
charging stations and RV parks, are quicker and can fully charge
your vehicle in four to eight hours.
Level 3 chargers can get you
back on the road the quickest with a full battery in about an hour,
but are also the most expensive. Even though the cost can vary
depending on where you are and what type of charger you use,
powering up will still be cheaper than gas.
As a general rule, it's best to plan a recharge when your car is
at 20%. It's better for your car's battery and can give you some
time to get through traffic and to the nearest charging
station.
Roadside Assistance
Before heading out on the road, make sure your insurance policy
offers roadside assistance for your EV. Some roadside assistance
plans have tow trucks that are equipped with portable chargers or
offer a flat-bed truck to tow your vehicle to a charging station.
Some EVs may need a flatbed truck to tow them as they are not
equipped to be towed like gas powered vehicles.
"When contacting roadside assistance or a local towing company,
tell them you are traveling in an electric vehicle," said Quinn.
"Any issues that require more than a quick charge, like battery or
tire problems, may require your vehicle to be towed to a facility
for further work."
Be flexible and have a backup plan in place
Road trips have always had a sense of adventure to them and
sometimes unexpected situations arise in the form of bad weather or
road delays. Have a backup plan in place before you set out on your
journey. Map out alternative routes with charging stations in case
there is a change to your itinerary.
As EV infrastructure improves and electric vehicles become more
commonplace, there will be more options for charging. For now, take
the time to calculate the number of miles you'll need to drive
between charging and what type of mileage range your car has. Being
prepared and allowing for flexibility can make for a more positive
EV road trip experience.
About Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance
carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners and
renters insurance through a network of independent agents in
Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New
Jersey, New York,
Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in
Florida. Mercury writes other
lines of insurance in various states, including commercial,
business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing,
ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance.
Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value
for their insurance dollar by pairing ultracompetitive rates with
excellent customer service. Mercury has earned "A" ratings from
A.M. Best and Fitch, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company"
designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit
www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or
Facebook.
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SOURCE Mercury Insurance