End of year season is the best time for families and loved ones to take a trip across Malaysia, making it an ideal vacation with great scenery and ample bonding time.
Whether it is for a short or long journey, taking your electric vehicle (EV) on your first road trip need not be intimidating or stressful even. As the introduction of EVs is still fresh in Malaysia, understandably, many may have concerns about charging facilities, range of EVs and even emergencies they might encounter on a long distance trip.
These worries can be easily mediated with proper coordination because, just like how travel adventures require planning, the same goes to travels with your EV. Here are some tips to include in your planning so you can be ready to take off on your next adventure with loved ones or even on solo trips during the holidays.
Tip #1: Apps are a mandatory travel buddy – The first step in planning for your trip is to ensure that you have these helpful and informative apps downloaded to make coordinating your charging stops a breeze. These apps, among many others, would be crucial to ensure that your trip remains smooth, without having to make an emergency stop along the way plus be able to plan ahead the itinerary of places you want to visit throughout the day.
● JomCharge – To check locations of Gentari/JomCharge chargers.
● ChargeEV – To check locations of ChargeEV chargers.
● ParkEasy – To check locations of Shell/ParkEasy chargers. You can even pre-book a spot in advance to ensure you have a spot upon arrival.
Note that JomCharge and ChargeEV has entered into a partnership to enable cross-access of all their chargers.
Tip #2: Plan shorter charging breaks – Oftentimes, EV owners get overwhelmed with the thought of having to wait a long period of time to charge their EVs especially on a holiday. By taking the time to understand your vehicle better, that can be solved.
EVs generally charge at maximum power from 0-80% and usually would slow down after that mark, moreover charging up to 80% capacity is sufficient to enable you to go the distance.
Hence, planning quick charging breaks or booster charges while you are on-the-go is easier and time-saving. You can opt to plan in short 20-minute charging along the route as you grab a meal, take a stretch or even take a toilet break. This would ensure that your travel plans are time-efficient and that you are in the best condition to
drive.
Tip #3: Stay in a EV friendly location – When searching for accommodation for your trip, consider hotels or AirBnBs that provide an EV charging spot for you to charge overnight, to have your EV ready for your adventure the next day. If there are no available charging spots, simply plan your route to stop by a mall with charging facilities for dinner or a pit stop to a charging station before retiring for the night.
For example, Mercedes-Benz EV owners are given access to DC fast charging facilities at select Cycle & Carriage locations spanning the north, central, and south of Peninsula Malaysia at Bukit Tengah, Mutiara Damansara and Johor Bahru.
Tip #4: Invest in a mobile EV charger – If you are heading to a location you are unsure of, consider investing in a mobile EV charger so you can travel the distance without worry. These mobile EV chargers are equipped with plugs for standard household wall sockets to suit your charging needs, whether you are at a remote location, event or at a family’s home, as long as there is an electrical point, you have the option of charging your EV.
A mobile EV charger you can consider for your Mercedes-Benz is the Juice Booster 2, which can not only deliver up to 22kW, it is also splash-proof, dust-proof, and completely submersible, making it ideal for outdoor and travel use. The Juice Booster 2 is now available for purchase from Cycle & Carriage, retailing
at RM6,988.00.
Tip #5: Prepare for the unexpected – Similar to its petrol counterpart, EV drivers must be prepared for unexpected scenarios or mishaps along the way. With Malaysia being known for heavy traffic during peak holiday season, do ensure that you plan the best travel time and have a charged car ready to go. Generally, EVs do not use much energy in standstill conditions, using energy mainly to keep the air-conditioning and basic functions going.
However, you would still need to be mindful with your usage of energy especially when caught in a traffic jam. As EV energy consumption is based on driving patterns, try to conserve energy by monitoring your acceleration (reduce overtaking and drive within the speed limit) and you have nothing to worry about.
With EVs, it is also important to know that their tyres are built differently versus combustion vehicles and require extra precautions. Mercedes-Benz owners can prepare ahead of time with a TIREFIT kit that comes with a tyre sealant bottle, enclosed TIREFIT sticker and tyre inflation compressor that can provide a temporary solution for minor tyre issues until you reach a more convenient location.
For a better alternative, you can contact Cycle & Carriage 24hrs roadside assistance who is available to assist at any time of day, 7 days a week. Taking yourself and your loved ones on an exceptional EV road trip is possible and doable without the added stress with proper understanding and planning. Going on a EV road trip provides many benefits, such as helping you to squeeze in some flexibility in an otherwise jam-packed schedule allowing a more relaxing and enjoyable journey.
