Good points overall, but I'd still recommend keeping a portable charging cable and adapters handy—especially if you're hitting unfamiliar routes. I've done plenty of road trips, and even with careful planning, things can go sideways (like that time the charging station I counted on was out of service...). Having a backup plan just makes sense; it doesn't take up much space and gives peace of mind.
"Having a backup plan just makes sense; it doesn't take up much space and gives peace of mind."
Definitely agree with this. Had a similar experience last summer—planned my stops meticulously, but one charger was offline and another was occupied for ages. Ended up detouring 20 miles out of my way, which wasn't great for my tight budget. Now I always carry adapters and a portable cable. Small upfront cost, but saves money (and stress) in the long run.
Had a similar thing happen to me a few months back. Thought I was being smart by checking the app beforehand, but when I got there, two chargers were down and the third was being hogged by someone who seemed to be binge-watching an entire Netflix series in their car. Ended up killing time at a nearby diner—good pancakes, but not exactly how I'd planned my afternoon.
Now I keep a portable cable and adapters handy too. Learned my lesson the hard way. Funny how we all seem to pick up these habits only after getting burned once or twice...
Honestly, adapters and cables are fine, but relying on diner pancakes isn't exactly a solid backup plan. Better to map out multiple charging stops ahead of time—takes a few extra minutes, but saves headaches later.
"Honestly, adapters and cables are fine, but relying on diner pancakes isn't exactly a solid backup plan. Better to map out multiple charging stops ahead of time—takes a few extra minutes, but saves headaches later."
Couldn't agree more with this point. While adapters and cables are essential tools to have on hand, they're more of a short-term fix rather than a reliable strategy. Planning ahead is always the best insurance against unexpected hiccups—especially when it comes to EV travel.
I've seen this firsthand with clients who've transitioned to electric vehicles. Those who take the time to map out their charging stops beforehand rarely encounter serious issues. On the other hand, those who rely solely on spontaneous stops or local diners (no matter how good the pancakes might be...) often find themselves in stressful situations.
A quick anecdote: one of my colleagues recently took his EV on a weekend road trip without proper planning. He assumed he'd easily find charging stations along the way, but ended up stranded for hours in a small town with limited infrastructure. Needless to say, he learned his lesson and now meticulously plans his routes.
Your advice about taking those extra few minutes to plan ahead is spot-on. It's similar to how we approach risk management in insurance—anticipating potential problems and preparing accordingly can save you from significant headaches down the road.
