5 tips for long trips

A quick trip to the seaside or a wander around the hinterlands – great idea, we do it all the time. Short trips like these in an e-car are a real no-brainer. A quick battery check and you’re good to go!. But sometimes you need or want to go a little further – whether it’s a holiday, visiting family or going on a business trip. Or maybe you've always wanted to take a road trip through Germany (don't laugh, it really is good fun).

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Those who aren't very familiar with electric vehicles often don't feel confident enough to take long trips with the ID. What happens if you break down in the middle of nowhere? Or the travel time doubles because of charging breaks, or the car won't start, or...? Worries like these are probably something that everyone can relate to: Electric cars are still a new invention, and while petrol stations are everywhere, charging points are a bit trickier to find – the latter is entirely untrue by the way, more on that later. To help you relax, even if your destination is 800 kilometres away instead of 80, we've put together this little guide.

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Tip 1: Preparation is everything

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When you're going on a long drive, it's a good idea to check the route beforehand. Once you know where you're going, it's easy to schedule your charging breaks. When you're on the road, you can find charging points directly using the WeShare app – it's even easier to plan with special charging station apps (we recommend Plugsurfing). Simply look in the app to find charging points along your route. You can then open the location directly using Google Maps and enter it as a stop on your trip or navigate there directly when you're on the move. The important thing is that you have a bit of an overview before starting your trip to give you peace of mind.

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The Plugsurfing app features a range of filters for the charging stations – the most practical of these when on the road are the fast charging points (CCS) where you can charge your battery in just 45 minutes while you relax with a coffee. Charging is always free of charge at Type 2 and CCS points.

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Tip 2: Make sure you have reception throughout

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Depending on where you're going, the mobile reception can be a little un-reliable (looking at you, Brandenburg). You need a good signal to be able to communicate with the car. Here are our tips for troubleshooting:

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Don't park in underground garages; this is a sure way to lose signal very quickly
Before you commit to a parking spot, quickly check your phone: Do you have at least 3G? Great, that'll do.
If the car won't lock or unlock straight away, wait a moment; it will often work on your next attempt.
Is the app incorrectly showing that you aren't next to the vehicle? Our hack: Turn on Airplane Mode briefly. This will allow the location settings to recalibrate.
Walk a few steps around the car. Sometimes it really is a question of a few metres
Turn on your Wi-Fi. This will allow us to more precisely register your location.
If your mobile has a full signal, but the car won't lock, sometimes it's the car's reception at fault. It often helps to walk a few metres farther away. You can see whether your mobile and the car are connected by touching the flash symbol in the app: Did the car flash once? You're connected.
Don't panic: Our customer service team is on hand to help if you're still having issues.

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Tip 3: Don't be afraid of charging points

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Never used a charging point before? Don't worry, it's really simple. If you want to be absolutely sure, try charging for the first time within the city – there’s nothing that can really go wrong. In our FAQ, we have explained exactly what you need to do in just a few steps. Or, you can watch this video and become a charging pro in a matter of minutes. Or at the very least, semi-pro.

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Our Tip: The time it takes to charge depends on the remaining charge of the vehicle. The fuller the battery, the slower it takes to charge. Instead of trying to play it safe by charging every hundred kilometres, head for the charging station with 60-70 kilometres of range left. That's low enough for the car to charge quicker, but not so low that you're cutting it too fine. This way, you can get to your destination efficiently and with peace of mind.

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Tip 4: Relax behind the wheel

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The range of your ID depends on several factors, such as technology, weather or driving style. No one can influence the weather, but there is still plenty you can do to make a difference. Here are a few dos and don'ts for a respectable range:

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Make sure to drive in "recuperation mode", which is B on the gear shift: Each time you brake, the car reclaims a little energy.
Heating and temperature control can be real energy guzzlers, especially in extreme weather. It's best not to turn them up to the max.
Cold reduces the charging capacity of the battery. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about this.
Yes, it's fun to regularly put the pedal to the metal in the ID – but the battery won't be pleased. A more balanced, calmer driving style without full braking or intermittent, frequent acceleration pays off in terms of range.
Check the tire pressure before long trips. High rolling resistance due to insufficient air pressure needlessly consumes a lot of energy.

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Tip 5: A different attitude

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We don't want to sound esoteric, but it's true: your attitude plays a role. Most of us are still used to dashing around the country with a vehicle that has a combustion engine. Electric driving is a little different. Sure, at first glance it needs a little more planning – but we can assure you that you will be a pro after your first long trip. And we want to encourage you to try a different kind of road trip. It's relaxing, quiet, exhaust-free and you don't need to worry about the fuel price. Also, the feeling of driving an electric car is a really nice experience, particularly on longer journeys. Many of our team here at WeShare are almost exclusively driving electric now. And we don't regret it for a second.

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Give it a try, you'll have an adventure. Have a good trip!

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