Driving Electric with Pets: A Sustainable Lifestyle Guide for Animal Lovers

Electric vehicles are perfect for eco-conscious pet owners who want the greenest way to transport their pets. In a way, the many benefits of EVs also apply to our pets.

For example, electric cars are infamous for being incredibly quiet. They have a big impact on reducing noise pollution as they’re powered purely by the motor and not a noisy engine with many moving parts. This makes their interiors equally quiet, which can help make your pets feel less agitated and, in turn, makes them less likely to distract you when you’re driving.

Cars can also get very hot, especially during the summer months, and this can be very dangerous for pets left in hot cars for long periods of time. Fortunately, a great advantage of EVs is that you can put the AC on remotely to cool down the cabin before you get in. Better yet, keeping it plugged in and charging at the same time preserves the battery and keeps your range whilst you used its climate controls to get the cabin to a comfortable temperature before setting off.

There’s also the fact that electric cars tend to come with plenty of interior space, which can be particularly beneficial for bigger pets like dogs as it gives them the ability to stretch their legs. This makes longer car trips better for them, so you can take plenty of EV road trips with your pets. It also makes it easier to transport any of the accessories your pet needs like their food, harnesses, and not to mention, their toys.

Whether you’re taking a quick trip to the vets or a longer journey, there is fundamentally little difference when it comes to preparing an electric car versus a petrol or diesel vehicle for your pet. Some tips for making your EV pet friendly include:

• Getting a sturdy crate or carrier with a good quality travel bed or cot in the boot, securely fastened to stop it from sliding around
• A pet seat belt or travel harness if the pet is travelling on the back seats, as well as seat covers to avoid damage
• Toys and blankets to make whatever space they occupy cozy and comfortable for them

If you plan to regularly bring your pet in your car, you’ll also want to invest in some pet-safe cleaning products to keep the interior nice and clean.

For example, pet carpet shampoo can make it easy to get rid of stains and protect the upholstery, and you’ll probably want to keep a can or two of air freshener in the car to neutralise pet odours. Getting into the habit of vacuuming regularly will also look after the interior of your EV by removing stray hairs or any dirt your pet is carrying.

If you’re taking your pet somewhere in your EV for the first time, there are a couple of extra things you can do to make their drive more comfortable:

• Don’t put them in and drive off immediately. Instead, give them time to get used to being in the car whilst it’s parked, and start off with shorter trips, so they can adjust to the sensations of being driven
• Feed them with plenty of time before the journey so they can digest it, or give them something small beforehand, as this will reduce the chances of them getting car sick
• Just like you, they’ll need to stretch their legs once in a while, so for longer journeys make sure to schedule in plenty of breaks
• Keep the cabin cool with either its climate control system or by opening the windows. A cool pet is a calm pet! However, don’t have the windows open enough for them to stick their heads out, as this is very dangerous

A quick search online shows plenty of sustainable pet accessories, you can buy to help you live an eco-friendly pet lifestyle. Whether you’re an EV driver or not, they’re worth getting into as they can make owning a pet even better for the planet.

This includes zero waste treats made from natural ingredients in biodegradable packaging, reusable water bottles to stop them from getting thirsty, and compostable poop bags for handling pet waste. Having these in the car at all times will make it easy to take your pet with you.

If you’re going on a longer trip, it’s a smart idea to make sure to plan your charging stops in advance. This way, you won’t get caught out with low charge and the panic that comes with trying to reach the nearest public charging station in time.

How long you’ll be stopped for depends primarily on what type of charger you’re using, with faster rapid chargers able to add around 100 miles of range in ~35 minutes. Even then, it’s important to make sure your pet is comfortable and has everything it needs however long your charging break is.

Ideally, you should take the dog out with you when you’re on a charging stop, as this gives them a chance to stretch whilst also keeping them cool and away from a potentially stuffy car cabin. Depending on where you’re charging, you may find some pet-friendly amenities nearby like drinking bowls or places for them to relieve themselves.

If you can’t take the dog with you and you need to leave the car, make sure to limit your time away from it as much as possible, and keep the windows open or the AC on so your pet remains cool, as it’s illegal to leave them in a car unattended in a way that causes them any suffering. Alternatively, if you don’t need to go anywhere, you could stay inside the car with your pet whilst it’s charging, as your presence should help keep them relaxed.

If you’re looking for some ideas to take a road trip in your EV with your cat or dog, we’ve got you covered:

• Take them to one of the UK’s many wonderful National Parks for some serene and green outdoor time. The Lake District in particular is known for being dog-friendly!
• Catch some sun at a dog-friendly beach and treat them to a doggie ice cream along the Cornish coast, which has plenty of beaches and pubs that welcome pets
• Several castles and historical sites are open to dogs, giving history lovers the perfect opportunity to explore the past with their pets
• Choo-choo-choose to take your dog on a dog-friendly steam railway tour like the North Yorkshire Moors or Severn Valley railways
• Visit some literary hotspots perfect for pet-owning book lovers like Jane Austen’s house in Chawton or Agatha Christie’s house at Greenway
• Glide across the UK’s extensive canal network in pet-friendly boats