Holiday Travel made Easy: A Guide to Stress-Free Electric Car Usage
In the heart of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, electric car travelers are finding it easy to keep their vehicles charged while on the go. The A8 highway, one of the country's busiest, is now dotted with charging stations at strategic locations such as rest stops and hotels.
For instance, the Seligweiler Hotel & Restaurant near Ulm offers Tesla Superchargers and other EV charging options directly accessible from the Autobahn A8. Similarly, the B&B Hotel Stuttgart-City provides an electric car charging station near the A8.
These charging stations are positioned thoughtfully throughout the A8 corridor, making it a breeze for electric car drivers to find power for their vehicles. Apps like ChargePoint, PlugShare, or the navigation systems in electric cars can also help locate nearby chargers along the route.
Fast chargers, such as Tesla Superchargers or other CCS/CHAdeMO stations common along major highways, typically provide about 80% charge in approximately 20 to 40 minutes. Slower AC chargers may require a few hours to fully charge the vehicle.
Borje Hilmer, a frequent traveler, emphasises the importance of planning ahead when it comes to charging his electric vehicle. He selects suitable charging points before his trips. For those looking for free charging spots, there are several available at the charging parks in and around Pforzheim near the A8.
Many electric car drivers use corresponding apps to find these free charging points. It's worth noting that many charging stations on highways have CCS connectors for fast charging with direct current, while conventional charging stations often have Type-2 connectors. Cars with a CCS connection can still use Type-2 charging stations, but with lower charging capacity.
The air conditioning in electric vehicles is not powered by the motor but directly by the high-voltage battery, according to ADAC. This means that unlike cars with combustion engines, the engine in electric vehicles doesn't have to run to keep the car cool.
EnBW recommends that travelers take breaks, eat, drink, or play on playgrounds during charging stops. Mozes Andrianto and his family, traveling from the Netherlands to Garmisch, say their car only needs 15 to 20 minutes to charge.
Electric car drivers in Baden-Württemberg can find a fast charging point at least every 50 kilometers, including on routes through the Black Forest, according to EnBW. Many electric car drivers on the A8 prioritise relaxation over efficiency, especially during the holiday season.
Katharina Reiff from Augsburg notes that her electric car has a range of over 400 kilometers, so she takes breaks anyway, and some rest areas are nice enough for a short walk with a coffee. Most drivers who are charging their car on the first vacation day in Pforzheim have a fast charging connection.
EnBW calculates that if a charging point has a capacity of 400 kW and the vehicle is compatible, the car can drive up to 400 kilometers after 25 minutes of charging time. ADAC states that the electric motor consumes hardly any energy when stationary, making the fear of getting stuck in traffic with a low battery and the air conditioning running unfounded.
EnBW and ADAC advise electric car drivers to realistically estimate their range and plan a rest capacity of 10 to 20 percent for the next charging stop. With these tips in mind, electric car travelers can enjoy their journeys along the A8 with the peace of mind that charging their vehicles is a convenient and hassle-free experience.
- Electric car travelers on the A8 corridor can find charging stations at strategic locations, such as rest stops and hotels, like the Seligweiler Hotel & Restaurant near Ulm and the B&B Hotel Stuttgart-City, which provide electric vehicle charging options directly accessible from the Autobahn A8.
- Fast chargers, like Tesla Superchargers or CCS/CHAdeMO stations common along major highways, are positioned thoughtfully throughout the A8 corridor, allowing electric car drivers to quickly charge their vehicles, with an approximate 80% charge in approximately 20 to 40 minutes.
- Apps like ChargePoint, PlugShare, or the navigation systems in electric cars can help locate nearby charging stations along the route, while some charging parks in and around Pforzheim near the A8 offer free charging spots for electric vehicle drivers.
