What to Do If an Electric Vehicle Runs Out of Battery on a Long Trip?
3 Answers
If an electric vehicle runs out of battery on a long trip, seeking rescue is necessary. Here are some rescue methods: 1. Contact the insurance company for towing service: If commercial insurance is purchased annually, most insurance companies provide customers with 1-2 free towing services per year. Call the insurance company's customer service hotline to dispatch a tow truck for rescue. It's best for pure electric vehicles to plan the route before getting on the highway to avoid running out of battery midway. 2. Notify the manufacturer for rescue: Emerging automakers like NIO, Tesla, and XPeng offer rescue services to car owners. Generally, manufacturers also provide a certain number of free rescue services per year, similar to insurance companies. Beyond that, owners will need to pay for the service. 3. Contact a mobile charging vehicle: Many charging apps now offer mobile charging services. These mobile charging vehicles typically use gasoline generators for power supply, but such services are usually expensive. Therefore, when charging, it's advisable to locate the nearest charging station and end the charging session once the vehicle's range can reach it, saving on additional costs.
Last time I went on a road trip with my electric car, the battery almost ran out, which was quite a thrill. On the highway, the navigation showed only 10% battery left, and I immediately slowed down and pulled over. After turning on the hazard lights, I quickly took out my phone and opened the charging app, finding the nearest charging station—just 8 kilometers away. Luckily, my friend was driving behind me and used a tow rope to pull my car there for charging. Since then, I've developed good habits: planning charging stops along the route before departure, checking the remaining range every 100 kilometers, and carrying a portable charger just in case. For long-distance trips with an electric car, it's best to choose familiar routes and avoid remote areas, otherwise, rescue could take hours.
I've been through this, and it's really annoying. That day during a road trip, the battery alarm kept going off, so I quickly pulled over, turned on the hazard lights, and used a mobile app to locate charging stations. Ended up waiting half an hour for a tow truck, which cost me a few hundred bucks. Prevention is the simplest solution: make sure the battery is fully charged before setting off, don't procrastinate on the road, and check the battery gauge every 150 kilometers. The car's navigation system helps plan the route and automatically reminds me of charging points. Additionally, some apps like Charging Elf show real-time available charging spots to avoid wasted trips. If all else fails, call for roadside assistance—insurance services often include free towing to the nearest station. Safety first, always.
