Holiday EV Road Trip Prep: Charging Tips Before December Travel in Texas
Driving an electric vehicle to see family this holiday season takes a little planning, and it's worth doing before you leave. Set a charge target that fits your route, map your stops before you pull out of the driveway, and allow extra margin when cold mornings affect range. Here is how we recommend preparing.
In Del Rio, some stretches between communities are long, so planning around real charging locations matters more here than it does in town.
In Del Rio, some stretches between communities are long, so planning around real charging locations matters more here than it does in town.
Leave Del Rio With the Right Charge for Your Route
Much of your everyday charging can happen at home overnight, especially with a Level 2 charger. Plug in before you travel, and if your vehicle supports scheduled charging, set your departure time and target charge so it's ready when you are.
For the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV, Chevrolet recommends a target charge of 80% for daily use. For longer trips, you can set the target above 80% for extra range. Chevrolet also notes that DC fast charging slows as the battery fills, so charging beyond 80% at a public station is not recommended. Always follow the Owner's Manual and charging settings for your specific vehicle.
Starting with enough energy for the first leg of the trip helps you avoid an unnecessary early charging stop, while still letting you plan the rest of the route around convenient charging locations.
For the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV, Chevrolet recommends a target charge of 80% for daily use. For longer trips, you can set the target above 80% for extra range. Chevrolet also notes that DC fast charging slows as the battery fills, so charging beyond 80% at a public station is not recommended. Always follow the Owner's Manual and charging settings for your specific vehicle.
Starting with enough energy for the first leg of the trip helps you avoid an unnecessary early charging stop, while still letting you plan the rest of the route around convenient charging locations.
Map Your Charging Stops Before You Pull Out
Treat charging the way you would plan fuel on a remote road. Before you leave, identify the specific stations you intend to use, whether you are heading east toward San Antonio, north toward the Hill Country, or west toward the Big Bend region. Then identify a second charging option in case your first choice is busy, blocked, temporarily unavailable, or unsuitable when you arrive.
Use more than one planning tool. Your vehicle's navigation system can help with route planning, the myChevrolet app and charging-network apps can help you find compatible public chargers and review station information, and a saved list of planned stops is a good backup in areas where mobile service is limited.
Build your energy buffer before the longest charging gap on your route. Waiting until after a long stretch to think about extra range leaves you with no margin.
Use more than one planning tool. Your vehicle's navigation system can help with route planning, the myChevrolet app and charging-network apps can help you find compatible public chargers and review station information, and a saved list of planned stops is a good backup in areas where mobile service is limited.
Build your energy buffer before the longest charging gap on your route. Waiting until after a long stretch to think about extra range leaves you with no margin.
December Mornings Change the Math
Cold temperatures can reduce the driving range an electric vehicle delivers, and a December cold front can bring lower overnight and morning temperatures. Two simple habits help.
The first is preconditioning. When the vehicle is plugged in, you can warm or cool the cabin before you leave. This uses energy from the charger rather than drawing from the battery once you're on the road. Keeping your Chevrolet EV plugged in when practical also lets its thermal-management system condition the battery. Check the Owner's Manual for the settings that apply to your model.
The second is tire pressure. Tire pressure drops as outside temperatures fall, and underinflated tires reduce efficiency and affect handling. Check cold tire pressures against the Tire and Loading Information label, typically found on the driver's-side door jamb, rather than the maximum pressure molded into the tire sidewall. If your tires are worn before a season of rain and longer drives, we can inspect them as part of your pre-trip checks. You can also review our tire basics. Wiper blades, washer fluid, the cabin air filter, and the low-voltage battery are also worth checking before a holiday drive.
Our service team can help you get these items checked before the December travel rush. For more cold-weather tips, read our winter driving guide for Del Rio.
The first is preconditioning. When the vehicle is plugged in, you can warm or cool the cabin before you leave. This uses energy from the charger rather than drawing from the battery once you're on the road. Keeping your Chevrolet EV plugged in when practical also lets its thermal-management system condition the battery. Check the Owner's Manual for the settings that apply to your model.
The second is tire pressure. Tire pressure drops as outside temperatures fall, and underinflated tires reduce efficiency and affect handling. Check cold tire pressures against the Tire and Loading Information label, typically found on the driver's-side door jamb, rather than the maximum pressure molded into the tire sidewall. If your tires are worn before a season of rain and longer drives, we can inspect them as part of your pre-trip checks. You can also review our tire basics. Wiper blades, washer fluid, the cabin air filter, and the low-voltage battery are also worth checking before a holiday drive.
Our service team can help you get these items checked before the December travel rush. For more cold-weather tips, read our winter driving guide for Del Rio.
Pack for Range, Not Just for Space
Passengers, luggage, gifts, coolers, and other cargo all add energy demand, and equipment mounted outside the vehicle, including some rooftop cargo carriers, adds aerodynamic drag at highway speeds. None of that means leaving the presents at home. It just means building more charging margin into a heavily loaded trip rather than assuming you will get the same range you get on lighter everyday drives.
Speed matters too. Higher highway speeds require more energy, so moderating your speed where appropriate and driving smoothly can help extend the distance between charging stops.
If you plan to tow a trailer, expect towing to reduce driving range and plan shorter, more conservative intervals between charging stops. How much range you lose depends on trailer weight and shape, vehicle load, speed, terrain, weather, and configuration. Always confirm the towing capacity and trailering recommendations for your specific vehicle, trim, and equipment before you hitch up.
Speed matters too. Higher highway speeds require more energy, so moderating your speed where appropriate and driving smoothly can help extend the distance between charging stops.
If you plan to tow a trailer, expect towing to reduce driving range and plan shorter, more conservative intervals between charging stops. How much range you lose depends on trailer weight and shape, vehicle load, speed, terrain, weather, and configuration. Always confirm the towing capacity and trailering recommendations for your specific vehicle, trim, and equipment before you hitch up.
Make the Stops Short and Easy
Good charging stops are usually uneventful, which is exactly what you want with a car full of holiday travelers. A few habits help:
- Choose stops with something useful nearby, such as food, restrooms, or a place to stretch. A charging session can become a break you would have taken anyway.
- Start the charging session and confirm the vehicle is actually charging before you walk away.
- Move the vehicle once you reach your planned charge level. On a busy holiday travel day, that keeps the charger available for the next driver and may help you avoid idle fees where they apply.
- Keep basic roadside supplies in the vehicle, such as a flashlight and a blanket. General road-trip preparedness matters no matter what powers your vehicle.
Handle Home Charging Before December
A permanently installed home charger is not required to own a Chevrolet EV. Depending on the vehicle and charging equipment, Level 1 charging can use a suitable household 120-volt outlet. Level 2 charging uses 240-volt power and can use compatible portable equipment or professionally installed charging equipment. Because Level 2 equipment may need a 240-volt circuit or a hardwired charger, professional installation is often required. Your charging rate depends on the vehicle's onboard charger, the charging equipment, your home's available electrical capacity, and battery temperature and state of charge.
If you are setting up charging at home, or you want to understand your options before you buy, our team can walk you through the choices. Starting before the holiday season gives you more time to schedule any electrical work.
If you are setting up charging at home, or you want to understand your options before you buy, our team can walk you through the choices. Starting before the holiday season gives you more time to schedule any electrical work.
The Chevrolet Electric Lineup
If you are comparing Chevrolet electric vehicles for driving around Del Rio, Uvalde, or Eagle Pass, look at how each one fits your passengers, cargo, range, charging, and towing needs. Chevrolet's electric lineup includes the Equinox EV, the Blazer EV, and the Silverado EV, which you can review on Chevrolet's vehicle lineup page.
The Equinox EV and Blazer EV are electric SUVs that seat up to five. The Silverado EV is a full-size electric pickup with GM-estimated range of up to 478 miles and available towing of up to 12,500 pounds. Equipment, range, charging capability, and towing ratings vary by model, trim, battery, and model year, so compare the specific vehicle you're considering rather than applying one set of numbers across the lineup.
Offers and incentives change, so ask us about current terms before you make any decision. Our hours and directions are available online.
The Equinox EV and Blazer EV are electric SUVs that seat up to five. The Silverado EV is a full-size electric pickup with GM-estimated range of up to 478 miles and available towing of up to 12,500 pounds. Equipment, range, charging capability, and towing ratings vary by model, trim, battery, and model year, so compare the specific vehicle you're considering rather than applying one set of numbers across the lineup.
Offers and incentives change, so ask us about current terms before you make any decision. Our hours and directions are available online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cold weather really affect an electric vehicle in Texas?
Yes. Lower temperatures can reduce electric-vehicle efficiency and driving range, even in Texas. Cabin heating, battery temperature, driving speed, wind, and other conditions all affect energy use. Preconditioning the cabin while the vehicle is plugged in uses charger energy before you leave, and keeping your tires at the recommended cold pressure supports both efficiency and handling.
Yes. Lower temperatures can reduce electric-vehicle efficiency and driving range, even in Texas. Cabin heating, battery temperature, driving speed, wind, and other conditions all affect energy use. Preconditioning the cabin while the vehicle is plugged in uses charger energy before you leave, and keeping your tires at the recommended cold pressure supports both efficiency and handling.
How far ahead should I plan charging stops for a holiday road trip?
Plan your primary charging stops before you leave and identify backup options where you can. This matters most on routes with long distances between communities. Station availability, charging speed, weather, and traffic all affect the trip, so build in some energy and time margin before the longest charging gap.
Plan your primary charging stops before you leave and identify backup options where you can. This matters most on routes with long distances between communities. Station availability, charging speed, weather, and traffic all affect the trip, so build in some energy and time margin before the longest charging gap.
Do I need a charger installed at home to own an EV in Del Rio?
No. A permanently installed charger is not required. Some drivers meet their daily needs with Level 1 charging from a 120-volt outlet, while others prefer a Level 2 240-volt setup for faster home charging. Public charging is still important for road trips and for drivers who can't charge at home.
No. A permanently installed charger is not required. Some drivers meet their daily needs with Level 1 charging from a 120-volt outlet, while others prefer a Level 2 240-volt setup for faster home charging. Public charging is still important for road trips and for drivers who can't charge at home.
Does towing a trailer change how I plan charging?
Yes. Towing increases energy demand and reduces driving range, so plan shorter and more conservative charging intervals than you would when driving unhitched. Confirm the towing capacity and trailering recommendations for your specific vehicle before the trip.
Yes. Towing increases energy demand and reduces driving range, so plan shorter and more conservative charging intervals than you would when driving unhitched. Confirm the towing capacity and trailering recommendations for your specific vehicle before the trip.
Ready Before the Holidays
An easier electric road trip starts with planning before you leave. Set an appropriate charge target, map your primary and backup charging stops, precondition when cold weather makes it useful, keep your tires at the recommended pressure, and account for speed, cargo, weather, and towing when you estimate range.
Range, charging speed, and charging time vary with temperature, wind, terrain, route, speed, driving style, vehicle load, towing, tire condition and pressure, battery temperature and state of charge, vehicle configuration, and charging equipment. Plan with a margin, and contact us with questions about your route.
Range, charging speed, and charging time vary with temperature, wind, terrain, route, speed, driving style, vehicle load, towing, tire condition and pressure, battery temperature and state of charge, vehicle configuration, and charging equipment. Plan with a margin, and contact us with questions about your route.