Haha, been there myself—nothing like the thrill of watching your battery percentage drop faster than your kid's patience on a road trip. A few things I've learned (mostly the hard way):
- Definitely agree on the cold weather thing. Last winter, we took a family trip up north, and I swear my battery was dropping quicker than my bank balance during holiday shopping. Had to turn off seat warmers and crank down the heat just to make it to the next charger. Kids were NOT impressed.
- Also, elevation changes can sneak up on you. Thought I had plenty of juice until we started climbing some hills... suddenly that comfy 25% buffer looked a lot less comfy.
- Keep an eye on your tire pressure too. Low tires can quietly eat into your range, and it's easy to overlook when you're busy packing snacks and toys and trying to keep everyone happy.
- And speaking of snacks—always pack extra. If you do end up stranded waiting for roadside assistance or charging, nothing calms a cranky family faster than a bag of chips or some chocolate bars. Trust me on this one.
Honestly, EV life is great most of the time, but it definitely teaches you to be flexible and prepared. At least it gives us good stories to laugh about later... right?
Had a similar experience last summer driving through the mountains. Thought I had plenty of range, but underestimated how much climbing those steep inclines would drain the battery. Ended up coasting downhill to save power—talk about nerve-wracking... Also learned the hard way to keep a flashlight handy. Waiting roadside at dusk with kids in the car isn't exactly fun, even with snacks. EVs are great, but definitely force you to plan ahead more carefully.
Had a close call myself recently. Took my EV on a weekend trip, figured charging stations would be everywhere—wrong assumption. Ended up sipping coffee at some random diner while waiting for enough juice to get home. Lesson learned, I guess...
Interesting experience, but honestly, relying solely on public charging stations without a backup plan is a bit risky. I've been commuting daily with my EV for about two years now and learned a few things the hard way myself:
- Always pre-plan your charging stops using apps like PlugShare or ChargePoint. They're not always 100% accurate, but they'll give you a solid idea of what's available along your route.
- Don't trust the car's built-in navigation blindly. I've found that third-party apps tend to update quicker and have more reliable user reviews and photos.
- Keep an eye on your battery percentage rather than just relying on estimated range. Range estimates can fluctuate wildly depending on weather, driving speed, and terrain—especially if you're going uphill or facing headwinds.
- If you're traveling somewhere remote or unfamiliar, it's worth checking out RV parks or campgrounds as emergency backups. They often have Level 2 chargers or at least standard outlets you can use in a pinch.
I get that sipping coffee in a random diner isn't exactly the worst scenario (could've been much worse...), but personally, I'd rather spend my downtime sightseeing or relaxing than waiting anxiously for my battery to creep upward.
Also, quick tip: carry an adapter for standard wall plugs. It's painfully slow charging, but it can save you from being completely stranded. Even adding just 10-15 miles of range could get you to a proper charger.
I guess what I'm saying is, while your experience highlights the current limitations of EV infrastructure, it's also partly about preparation. Infrastructure is improving fast, but until it's everywhere, planning ahead is key.
"If you're traveling somewhere remote or unfamiliar, it's worth checking out RV parks or campgrounds as emergency backups."
Fair point, but honestly, dragging my kids to an RV park to charge sounds like a recipe for chaos... I'd rather risk the diner coffee meltdown than deal with bored kids running wild around someone's campsite. 😂 But yeah, learned the hard way myself—always have a backup plan, even if it's just extra snacks and downloaded cartoons.
