5 Tips for Smoother EV Charging This Summer

From lakeside escapes and coastal drives to countryside breaks and family days out, summer is one of the best times to explore by electric car.

Longer journeys may require a little more thought about where and when to charge, particularly during busy holiday periods. You might find yourself asking:

• Where can I charge along my route?
• Will the charger be available when I arrive?
• How can I keep charging stops short?
• How can I pay without managing several different charging apps?

Whether you are planning your first electric road trip or already have thousands of electric miles behind you, these five summer EV charging tips can help make your next journey simpler and more enjoyable.

1. Plan Smarter Charging Stops

Planning ahead can make a significant difference during busy summer journeys. Rather than waiting until your battery is almost empty, identify suitable charging locations before you leave and keep one or two alternatives in mind.

A useful charging stop should not only have the connector and charging speed your vehicle needs. It should also fit naturally into your journey.

Consider whether the location offers:

• Food and refreshments
• Toilets
• A safe place to stretch your legs
• Space for children or passengers to take a proper break
• Alternative chargers nearby if your first choice is busy

The ONEEV app helps drivers search for public charge points, check location information, view transparent pricing and see live availability where supported.

With access to more than 70,000 public charge points across the UK and Ireland, ONEEV can help you plan your route with greater confidence instead of relying on one charging network alone.

2. Charge Little and Often on Longer Drives

Many experienced EV drivers prefer shorter, more regular charging stops rather than waiting until the battery becomes extremely low.

This can help you:

• Keep individual charging stops shorter
• Build charging into the breaks you would take anyway
• Remain flexible when traffic or travel plans change
• Reduce concerns about reaching the next available charger

Many electric cars charge most quickly when the battery is at a lower or mid-range state of charge. The charging rate will often begin to reduce as the battery becomes fuller because the vehicle manages the battery temperature and charging process.

For this reason, continuing a rapid charge from around 80% towards 100% may take disproportionately longer than the earlier part of the session. On a long journey, it can sometimes be quicker to continue driving at around 80% and make another shorter stop later.

This is not a fixed rule for every vehicle or journey. Always consider the distance to your next stop, the weather, your vehicle’s usable range and the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Further guidance on EV charging and battery care is available from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service .

3. Keep Your EV and Its Passengers Cool

Hot weather can affect energy consumption because your vehicle may need to use additional power to cool the cabin and manage the battery temperature.

Pre-cooling the interior while the vehicle is connected to a charger can make the cabin more comfortable before you leave. Where supported by your vehicle, this may also reduce the amount of battery energy needed to cool the cabin once you are driving.

During particularly warm weather, try to:

• Pre-condition the cabin before setting off
• Park in a shaded or covered area where practical
• Carry drinking water for everyone travelling
• Check tyre pressures before a long journey
• Avoid leaving children, pets or vulnerable passengers in a parked vehicle

Extreme heat can place additional stress on lithium-ion batteries and may affect charging performance. Your vehicle’s battery-management system is designed to control battery temperature, so allow the car to manage the charging session and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s guidance.

The UK Government has also identified lithium-ion EV batteries as potentially vulnerable to prolonged extreme heat and heatwaves.

You can read the Government’s supporting evidence in its report on the impact of extreme heat on energy assets .

4. Turn Charging Stops into Proper Breaks

Charging does not have to feel like lost time. A well-planned stop can give the vehicle, driver and passengers a chance to recharge at the same time.

Use the stop to:

• Have a coffee or something to eat
• Walk around and stretch your legs
• Let children use up some energy
• Take the dog for a short walk
• Check the remaining route before continuing

The Highway Code advises drivers to take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. Combining an appropriate rest break with a charging session can therefore make good use of time while helping you return to the road feeling refreshed.

The RAC also recommends including 15-minute breaks for every two hours of driving when planning a longer journey.

Read the RAC guidance on staying alert while driving .

5. Use Live Information and Stay Flexible

Summer road trips do not always follow the original plan. Traffic can build quickly, roadworks may affect your route and charging demand can change throughout the day.

Live charging information can help you make a better decision before leaving the road for a charging location.

Depending on the information provided by the charging network, you may be able to see:

• Whether a charging location is currently available
• Which individual charge points are in use
• The connector types provided at the location
• The maximum advertised charging speed
• The charging price before starting your session

If your preferred location becomes busy, use the ONEEV app to search for other compatible charge points nearby. Staying flexible can be much easier than waiting for a particular charger simply because it was part of the original plan.

Where supported, ONEEV also allows you to start and stop your charging session, pay securely through the app and receive an automatic receipt.

Bonus Tip: Create Your Summer Driving Soundtrack

The right music can completely change the atmosphere of a journey. Before leaving, create a playlist with enough variety to cover the drive without needing to use your phone while behind the wheel.

Download your favourite music in advance if you expect to travel through areas with limited mobile reception, and make sure the playlist is ready before you begin driving.

Make Summer EV Charging Simpler with ONEEV

ONEEV brings public EV charging information and payment features together in one easy-to-use app.

With ONEEV, drivers can:

• Search more than 70,000 public charge points across the UK and Ireland
• Check live charge point availability where supported
• See transparent charging prices before starting
• Filter locations by connector type and charging speed
• Navigate directly to a selected charging location
• Start and stop compatible charging sessions
• Pay securely using the app
• Receive automatic charging receipts

There are no monthly subscription fees required to use ONEEV. You only pay for the charging sessions you choose to start.