There’s something special about hitting the road in an electric vehicle, especially when everything goes exactly as planned. Last Friday, we took our BYD Atto 3 on a delightful day trip to Nordhorn, Germany, for some lunch and grocery shopping. It turned out to be a perfect example of how seamless EV travel can be when you have the right tools.
Starting Strong: 95% SOC and Ready to Roll
We began our journey with a 95% SOC (State of Charge) – that’s the electric vehicle equivalent of a full tank of gas, representing how much battery capacity we had available. With the Atto 3’s impressive range, we were confident we could make the trip to Nordhorn without needing to charge along the way.
Navigation Perfection with ABRP
For route planning, I relied on my go-to navigation app: A Better Route Planner (ABRP). If you’re an EV driver and haven’t discovered ABRP yet, you’re missing out on what I believe is one of the best route planners specifically designed for electric vehicles.
What makes ABRP truly shine is its integration with your vehicle’s real-time data. I use a Vgate vLinker MC+ OBD2 dongle that connects ABRP directly to our BYD Atto 3, allowing the app to receive all the necessary information from the car – including actual battery levels, consumption rates, and driving conditions. This real-time data makes the route planning incredibly accurate.
For those interested in getting the same setup, you can find the Vgate vLinker MC+ OBD2 dongle here. However, before making a purchase, I’d strongly recommend checking if your specific EV model is supported by ABRP for OBD2 dongle connections at abetterrouteplanner.com/compare/livedata/, as compatibility can vary between different electric vehicles.
Get ABRP here:
Android App: Google Play Store
Website: https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
iOS App: Apple App Store
The Journey: Smooth Sailing to Nordhorn
I configured ABRP to ensure we’d arrive with at least 20% SOC remaining – always good to have a safety buffer! However, the app’s calculations suggested we’d actually arrive with around 35% battery remaining, giving us plenty of confidence for the trip.
The weather was perfect, and we enjoyed a relaxed, steady drive using the Atto 3’s ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control). For those unfamiliar, ACC is a driver assistance feature that automatically maintains a set speed while keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, making highway driving much more comfortable and less tiring.
Arrival: Better Than Expected
We arrived in Nordhorn with an impressive 39% SOC – even better than ABRP’s already optimistic prediction! This gave us plenty of range to enjoy our time in the city, have a lovely lunch, and do our grocery shopping without any range anxiety whatsoever.
The Return Journey: One Strategic Stop
For the drive home, ABRP calculated that we’d need just one charging stop. The plan was simple: charge for approximately 19 minutes to give us enough juice to arrive home with 22% SOC.
We stopped at a Fastned charging station, and here’s where our day got even better. Instead of just waiting by the car for 19 minutes, we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at a nearby restaurant. By the time we finished our meal and returned to the car, we had charged up to 88% SOC – far more than we actually needed, but it meant we’d start tomorrow with plenty of range for whatever adventures come next.
It’s worth noting that it’s normally not best practice to charge above 80% SOC, as charging speeds typically drop significantly after this point with most EVs, and it’s courteous to free up charging spots for other drivers who might need them. However, we were fortunate that this particular Fastned station wasn’t busy at all – with 8 charging spots available and only 2 in use (including ours), we didn’t feel bad about taking our time with dinner while the car continued charging.
The EV Advantage: Flexibility and Efficiency
This trip perfectly illustrated why I love EV travel. With proper planning using tools like ABRP, you can turn necessary charging stops into opportunities – whether that’s grabbing a coffee, having a meal, or just stretching your legs. The key is having accurate information about your vehicle’s performance, which is where the OBD2 integration with ABRP really shines.
The BYD Atto 3 continues to impress with its efficiency and range, while ABRP makes route planning so precise that you can travel with complete confidence. It’s this combination of great hardware and smart software that makes electric vehicle ownership such a pleasure.
Final Thoughts
Our day trip to Nordhorn was a reminder of how far EV technology and supporting infrastructure have come. With the right tools and a reliable electric vehicle, road trips are not just possible – they’re enjoyable, efficient, and stress-free.
If you’re considering an electric vehicle or already own one, I can’t recommend ABRP highly enough. Combined with an OBD2 dongle for real-time data, it transforms how you plan and execute your journeys.
As a volunteer at the VER (Vereniging Elektrisch Rijden), I’m passionate about helping people discover the benefits of electric driving. If you’re an EV owner or considering making the switch, I highly recommend checking out www.evrijders.nl for comprehensive information about electric vehicles, practical advice, and a supportive community of EV enthusiasts.
For those interested in experiencing electric vehicles firsthand, don’t miss the EV Experience taking place on October 2-4, 2025 at Circuit Zandvoort – a fantastic event where you can test drive various electric vehicles and learn more about the latest developments in electric mobility.
Here’s to many more adventures on the road ahead!
Happy travels, and remember – the journey is just as important as the destination, especially when you’re driving electric!
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