Summer is the season for vacations, sunshine... and long hours on the road. With the rise of electric vehicles, recharging stations can quickly become saturated when it's time to leave. So how can you avoid wasting time waiting for an available charging station? Here are some simple and effective tips to help you [...]
Summer is the season for vacations, sunshine... and long hours on the road. With the rise of electric vehicles, recharging stations can quickly become saturated when it's time to leave. So how can you avoid wasting time waiting for a charging station to become available? Here are some simple and effective tips to make your recharging this summer as stress-free as possible.
Why are bollards more popular in summer?
Vacation departures are reflected in :
- More cars on the road, including electric ones.
- Longer journeys that require recharging en route.
- Peak traffic concentrated in a few hours of the day.
As a result, some kiosks quickly become overcrowded, especially on freeways or in the immediate vicinity of tourist areas.
Play with schedules
The first tip is quite simple: avoid rush hours.
- Leave early in the morning or in the evening to take advantage of more available terminals.
- If you can, recharge outside the 10 a.m.-6 p.m. time slot, which is the busiest.
- Remember to do a full recharge the day before departure if you have a charging station at home.
These few adjustments are often enough to bypass the queues.
Check out several milestones before setting off
Don't leave without a plan B: use apps like Chargemap, ABRP or built-in GPS to locate several stations on your route.
In the event of a busy or broken-down terminal, you'll know exactly where to find a nearby alternative.
Tip: choose stations that offer several rapid charging stations on the same site, as they naturally reduce the risk of waiting.
Reload before the last minute
Don't wait until you're almost out of power to recharge: plug in when you have 25-30% range left.
This safety margin widens your options and gives you time to reach another station if necessary.
Look for fast, conveniently located stations
Not all charging stations are created equal. Ultra-fast stations can recover 80% of their range in around twenty minutes.
In France, several strategic Dream Energy sites are already operational:
- Biot (Alpes-Maritimes), convenient before reaching the coast.
- Lesquin (near Lille), on a busy northern route.
- Meylan (near Grenoble), ideal for trips to the mountains.
- Meyreuil (Bouches-du-Rhône), a stone's throw from Aix-Marseille.
And let's not forget the stations installed in the parking lots of hotels and shopping centers like Super U, which are accessible 24/7.
These well-thought-out locations allow you to take a useful break (shopping, coffee, resting) while your car recharges.
Follow a few good practices
Responsible behavior makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone:
- Unplug as soon as your charge reaches the level required to release the terminal.
- Leave ultra-fast charging stations to vehicles that can take advantage of them: if your car is limited to 50 kW, use a more standard station whenever possible.
- Remain courteous and respect the order of arrival.
Yes, there are more people on the roads in summer, but there's no need to worry. With a little organization and a few good reflexes, your refills will be stress-free.
Anticipating, choosing the right resorts and making the most of every break: that's the key to travelling with peace of mind and enjoying your vacation from the very first mile.
