While California leads the nation in electric vehicle (EV) registrations and charging stations, Nevada plays an important role in the EV landscape with ownership on the rise, and more companies testing vehicles in Las Vegas as the state works to expand infrastructure.
Travel between Nevada and California is especially popular during the holidays. The 270-mile drive happens to match the average range of most electric vehicles. This past summer, the closure of the busy I-15 corridor between Baker and Barstow, highlighted the importance of planning ahead when a hazmat situation shut down the freeway, leaving drivers stranded in the desert for nearly 48 hours before reopening.
In situations like these, running out of gas is inconvenient but manageable with emergency services. However, options for electric vehicle owners are significantly limited according to Rodolfo Rodriguez, owner of Charge Me Up, a Henderson-based mobile emergency charging service.
“If you run out of fuel in a gas car, you call AAA. They'll bring fuel and put it in the car and you’re on your way,” Rodriguez explains. “Traditionally, if you're in an electric car and you run out of battery, you have to call a tow truck.”
Enter Charge Me Up.
“We actually charge your vehicle wherever it is, enough to get to the next supercharger,” said Rodriguez, who assisted stranded drivers during the I-15 closure this summer. “We're less expensive than towing and it's safer for your vehicle.”
Unfortunately, setbacks are inevitable, which is why we asked Rodriguez for tips to maximize charge and minimize travel disruptions:
Unplug and Go: “Charge overnight so you can unplug it closest to the time that you're going to leave,” Rodriguez suggests. “If you charge it 100 percent today and you leave your vehicle for two days and come back, the vehicle may be at 80 percent, because it's continuously using the battery.”
Find Superchargers: PlugShare and ChargePoint are two great apps for locating charging stations. Keep in mind that some charging stations do require membership. Tesla drivers need to plan their stops around Tesla-specific stations. When possible, look for Supercharging stations, which offer faster charges and more available units.
Don’t Wait: Anticipate your next few stops. Charging stations may be out of service or unavailable, plus it can be difficult to determine how many vehicles are ahead of you. Charge before your battery drops to 10-15 percent.
Optimize Battery: Turn off non-essential accessories to extend battery life. EV’s highly touted cameras and safety features are awesome but drain a lot of battery.
Pre-Trip Maintenance: Older EVs may not charge 100 percent. Rodriguez recommends servicing your vehicle to ensure your battery is operating at full capacity.
Pull Over & Prevent Lock Out: “Neutral” may not be an option as many EV’s automatically “park” once the battery is depleted. Additionally, many EVs automatically lock, “Make sure that you leave a window down if you're going to need to get in and out of your vehicle,” Rodriguez advises.
There are 24/7 mobile options, like Charge Me Up, that offer significantly lower rates than towing. Expect to pay $80 to $110 for a service call and charge–depending on your location–which could be a lifesaver for drivers who find themselves stranded.
Technology is advancing as Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz have recently announced EV’s running 450-625 miles on a single charge. For now, while the growing trend of "range anxiety," fear of running out of charge before reaching a destination or charging station, can’t be eliminated entirely, these tips can help ensure a smoother, less stressful holiday drive.