How to Plan a Stress-Free EV Holiday This Winter

With Christmas only a few weeks away, you may be planning your winter holiday. So rather than spending the next few months sheltering from the icy weather and dark nights, why not take a UK winter road trip in your electric vehicle?

Whether you are looking forward to a weekend away or taking an extended holiday, look no further than our guide to planning an EV winter road trip. In it you will find tips for preparing your EV and advice for finding charging stops along the way.

How to Prepare Your Electric Vehicle for a Winter Road Trip

Being ready for adverse weather is essential for winter travel, and while this article is written with electric vehicles in mind, many of our tips are relevant for road travel of any type.

Tips for Checking Your EV’s Tyres for Winter Driving

Healthy tyres are essential all year round, but with additional risks on wet and icy roads it is worth heeding the advice of the professionals during the colder months.

Check that the tread depth of your tyres meets the legal minimum of 1.6mm. The RAC suggests a minimum tread depth of 3mm for icy or wet conditions, so we recommend following their advice if possible.

Also, be sure to check the air pressure of your tyres and adjust to the recommended pressure for your vehicle ahead of time. Best practice is to keep on top of this monthly, but if it slips your mind, pop to your local garage before your trip, or invest in a tyre inflator.

Should I Pack an EV Charging Cable?

If you are charging on the public network before you arrive at your destination, having your own EV charging cable is not usually a requirement.

However, if you are staying in an AirBnB or holiday cottage, or visiting family or friends, you might not have access to a private EV charger. Take a charging cable with you in the boot of your car to use in domestic plug sockets just in case.

Helpful Road Trip Tips

Planning an early start?

Prepare for the frosty mornings by having antifreeze window defroster ready to ensure your road trip starts well. It is also sensible to have a phone charger in your vehicle in case of a breakdown.

It may seem obvious, but do not forget to keep details of your insurer or roadside assistance service to hand. Save them on your phone, but also keep a note on paper; technology, mobile signals, and data connections can be patchy, especially if you’re in unfamiliar territory.

Give Your EV a Head Start

Avoid any unnecessary hold-ups to your winter road trip by ensuring your EV is primed for optimal performance before you leave.

What Percentage Should My EV Battery Be Charged to Before a Long Trip?

We recommend a minimum of an 80% charge before any trip, and this is especially important if you are not planning to stop on the way to charge your battery using the public network. Obviously, the higher the percentage, the more comfort you have even if you are planning to make a charge stop.

Either way, a charged battery will reduce range-anxiety and make the journey much more enjoyable.

Should I Preheat My Electric Vehicle?

Your EV model may have a battery preheat function that will make your EV warmer and bring your battery to the most efficient temperature by the time you set off. Preheating the battery before you leave is better than doing so whilst on your journey because it will use less battery power.

Plan Your EV Charging Route

Ideally, you should not let the battery drop below 20%. This helps to protect long-term battery health, and it reduces the chance of getting stranded with no place to plug in.

Researching the location of charge points along your route and planning your stops accordingly is essential and will reduce stress on the road.

Mer has a wide public network of EV chargers across the UK, so you can use our charger map on our website or the Mer Connect UK App before you travel to plot your charging route. By downloading the app and registering with Mer in advance, you can save the charge points you are intending to head to, and view whether the charger is in advance.

Don’t Forget Your Charge Card

Deciding how you will pay for your charge – and having a backup method too – removes another barrier for your streamlined EV charging experience. It can also help avoid delays at the charger.

As a Mer driver, you can charge via contactless payment (on certain charge points), via the Mer Connect UK App, the Driver Portal, or your Mer charge card (registered drivers only).

If you are planning a road trip more than a few weeks in advance, you still have time to order your charge card:

1. If you have not already done so, create an account on our App or Driver Portal.
2. Order your card.
3. Activate your new card within the App or Driver Portal using the 8-digit code on the front.

Having a charge card with you on the road gives you another payment method and provides peace of mind when you need it.

Passing the Time While Charging your EV

This is where a quick top up with diesel or petrol differs from electric. Rather than minutes to fill up and go, electric vehicles take time to refuel.

For rapid charges of under 30 minutes, you may not feel the need to pack things to pass the time, but if you are planning to stop for a longer period a little forethought is good. Remember, your EV may take so charging times may be longer than normal.

Make the charging time part of the holiday and pack entertainment for the family. Throw in snacks, share a flask of hot chocolate, and have fun! You could download movies, prepare a festive Spotify playlist, or pack car-friendly games like puzzle books.

If you have done your research, you might find amenities nearby to explore whilst you charge, such as restaurants, cafes, or shopping outlets.

If you’re nervous about encountering unfamiliar charging stations, watch the handy charge point tutorials on our YouTube channel, which share the step-by-step process for charging on the Mer network.

On the Road

The nature of winter travel is such that you should expect the unexpected. Here are some things to bear in mind when things go awry.

Don’t Be Afraid to Adapt Your Journey

Whilst it is advisable to know where and when you will stop to charge your EV, you may encounter unforeseeable diversions, road closures and traffic jams. To overcome this risk, have back-up options for charging stops in case it is more convenient to take an alternative route.

It is always good to have a physical map on hand too.

Staying flexible can keep you moving faster and may get you to your destination sooner.

Staying Warm in an EV

Using the internal heating function can reduce your EV’s battery and can increase charge times. If possible, keep the heating off, use the heated seat function and pack blankets and appropriate clothing to stay warm whilst you charge and drive.

Find out more tips for increasing your EV range in cold weather and protecting the battery during winter in this blog.

Ideas for Where to Go on a Winter EV Road Trip

Mer operates EV chargers in and around major Christmas holiday locations including York, Newcastle, Durham, London, Bristol, Bath, Exeter, and Cornwall.

Across these cities during November and December, you will find a range of local Christmas markets, festive activities for the family, firework displays and more.

Visit our map in the Driver Portal to see the full range of the Mer network, so you can plan where to charge your EV when you visit.