Festival seasons such as Diwali, Durga Puja, Onam, Pongal and Eid bring heavy holiday traffic as families travel home. Charging stations on popular routes get much busier. A little planning keeps your trip stress-free.
Before you leave
- Plan charging stops in advance, with a backup for each.
- Leave with a full battery from home.
- Travel early or late to avoid the busiest hours on highways and at chargers.
- Check live availability in charging apps before each stop.
- Allow extra time for queues and traffic.
On the road
- Charge to around 80% at busy stations to keep queues moving.
- Use quieter stations slightly off the main highway if they are reliable.
- Keep the air-conditioning sensible; it uses energy, especially in traffic jams.
- Follow charging etiquette when others are waiting.
At your destination
If you are staying with family, check whether you can charge from a suitable, properly wired socket using your car's portable charger, or find the nearest public charger in advance.
Safety and comfort
- Choose well-lit stations for night stops. See night charging safety.
- Pack snacks and water for waits at busy chargers.
- Keep your phone charged and roadside assistance numbers saved.
During festival peaks, the best charging stop is often the one before the most popular one.