How to avoid EV charging carnage this Christmas

Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, offers his ten top tips on getting the best out of EVs and chargepoints over the festive season

Millions of motorists will take to the roads this Christmas, many EV drivers will be nervous about facing repeats of the nightmarish queues we saw this time last year.

Fortunately, many of these challenges can be easily solved with a wider understanding of how EV batteries work, and remembering the basics of charging etiquette.

We have seen chaotic scenes at charging points in the past few years as the number of EV owners has grown. There’s no need for this to happen again – Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones, not suffering from road rage in the queue for a charger.

Simple things like coming off the motorway to charge your car, and being aware of battery efficiency in the cold can save drivers a lot of hassle.

In the Christmas spirit, Be.EV has drawn up 10 tips to make your festive journeys as seamless as possible.

1.  Knowledge is power

There are four common levels of EV charger – Slow, Fast, Rapid and Ultra-Rapid.

• Slow is what you see with lamppost chargers. These take a long time to charge and are pretty inefficient.
• Fast is the type you see in an office park, or on your driveway. They need to be plugged in overnight or throughout the day.
• Rapid chargers fill an average electric car in around an hour or two, and are perfect for when you’re heading out to pick up your turkey and post some Christmas cards.
• Ultra-Rapid chargers can get you on your way in as little as 20 minutes.

2.  There’s more than just service stations

Look for a charging option that fits with your travel plans. Can you charge while doing your Christmas shop, going to the cinema or visiting your family? As of the end of November 2023, there are over 53,000 charging points across over 30,000 locations, meaning there’s a good chance there’s a plan B if you do find one charging point has a queue.

3. Quality and quantity

It also helps to look for a high quantity and quality of charging locations. The most modern charging sites use dynamic load balancing technology to allow charging power across 10 or 20 EVs. If you can go to one of these stations, you’re far less likely to find yourself in an annoying queue, as there’s space for everyone to take the charging power that they need before heading off on their merry way.

4.  Charge or get off the spot

Charging slows down significantly past 80-85% to protect the vehicle’s battery. Trying to charge to 100% will end up costing you far more time than is necessary. If you’re nearing a full battery and have noticed your charging speed is slowing down, it’s best to move on – this will not only shorten your journey, but will also save time for your fellow EV drivers.

5.  Don’t wait till the last minute

The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year for EV charging points, so queues are to be expected at peak times. However, if you arrive with a little more battery power than you normally would then you have  a safety net to get to another charger if Plan A doesn’t work.

6.  Beware of the cold

We all feel more drained when it’s colder at this time of year, and your EV is no different. Using the pre-heat function that comes with most electric vehicles via your EV app before getting into the car  pre-conditions the battery so it’s at its most efficient temperature when you start your journey. This will save you battery while keeping you nice and toasty when it’s cold outside.

7.  Eco-mode

Most EVs have this as an option. This will do various things for different vehicles, such as reducing power to the climate control or softening throttle response. Regardless, this increases your efficiency by reducing output to what’s essential, increasing your overall driving range.

8.  Drive slower

Drive your EV in the same way you’ll cook your turkey on Christmas day - slowly! It’s not only safer but allows you to preserve your battery for much longer and helps to avoid any emergency charging nightmares. So, on your festive cruise, drop the cruise control down a couple of notches to jingle all the way a little further.

9.  Little and often

Charging an EV is different to filling up a petrol or diesel vehicle. Little and often is usually quicker than one long charge. 

10.  Beware of overcharging fees

Some operators have a limit to how long you can connect to a charger without being hit by a fine – like if you go past your pay and display parking ticket time so read the signage attached to make sure you have more money to spend on Christmas presents. At Be.EV, there’s no fee for overcharging. We don’t want to create a clamping culture – we’re trying to build something that people actually want to use.

Asif Ghafoor is chief executive and co-founder of Be.EV