If you’re planning to hit the roads in an electric vehicle (EV) this summer, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) UK has shared its top tips to ensure a smooth journey – so you can get the most from your EV driving experience.

With the hope of better weather on the horizon, many people are already planning exciting summer road trips. From visiting relatives or exploring the countryside, to seeing a famous tourist attraction or taking a break at the seaside, there are plenty of drivers gearing up for a long journey ahead.

But while the destination is the priority, it’s also helpful to plan your journey carefully to ensure a successful and memorable day out.

With the continuing rise in the number of EVs on UK roads – recent industry figures show that the one-millionth EV has been sold – many drivers will be planning for a more sustainable journey this summer.

Here are VWFS UK’s top four EV tips for drivers to consider for a successful trip this summer:

Take time to assess your route

Inevitably, roads will be busier around holiday periods and bank holidays, which can lead to pinch points, traffic snarl-ups and unwanted delays. Good route planning – for EVs as much as petrol or diesel vehicles – is therefore essential to avoid problem areas. Popular apps and online tools that can assist with EV route planning include, Zapmap, Google Maps, WattsUp and A Better Route Planner.

Make smart stops

If you’re looking to undertake a long journey of 200 miles plus, it’s helpful to make sure your travel breaks dovetail with EV chargepoint availability. Having a tea or coffee stop for just half an hour can offer the perfect opportunity for both you and your vehicle to recharge. Apps such as Zapmap can help to identify en-route chargepoints before leaving home, so you know when you’ll be able to take a rest and recharge.

Additionally, when you’re deciding where to go for a day out or a shorter trip, it can be worthwhile researching the locations of free chargepoints around the country. According to Zapmap, of the 42,000 plus public charging points on its system, nearly 3,500 are free to use. So you can potentially find a memorable road trip destination that turns out to be highly cost-effective from a charging perspective too.

Think ahead for recharging

If you’re staying overnight, or taking a longer break, it’s also important to think about how you can recharge once you’ve arrived should you need to. Look up public chargepoints in the area and assess what’s available. Additionally, there may be community charging facilities, such as Co-Charge, where you can take advantage of home charging points through a ‘rent a charger’ scheme.

Consider your driving style

As with any car, the mileage you get out of a single charge for an EV will depend on a number of factors, including driving style and speed. There are some simple adjustments drivers can make to help maximise range here, including coasting or regenerative braking.

John Lewis, Head of Product Strategy and Development at VWFS UK says: “As the sun starts to shine more and the days become longer, heading from home on a highly anticipated road trip can help shake the winter blues.

“Taking the time to plan ahead to uncover the best routes and access the most effective charging options will help maximise the many cost, performance and environmental benefits that come with electric vehicle driving.”