From Transport Evolved.

Next week, the U.S. celebrates Thanksgiving — the unofficial kickoff of the holiday season. Over the next six weeks, more people will be on the move, traveling to spend time with the people they care about than at any other point in the year.

This year, however, unpredictable conditions at many U.S. airports following the recent government shutdown mean more people are choosing to drive instead of fly. While many EV owners may embark on a long, multi-day road trip without a second thought, minority and marginalized communities — including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, disabled travelers — face additional challenges.

These challenges include not only finding safe places to stay overnight but also locating charging options along the route that are safe to use — particularly in areas where travelers from marginalized communities may face heightened scrutiny, harassment, or worse. While charging infrastructure exists, it’s not equally safe or accessible for everyone, meaning that planning an EV road trip can require extra care for those whose appearance, identity, or background makes them more vulnerable.

Today, as the Trans community observes the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) — a day to remember those lost to hatred, harassment, violence, and prejudice — we’re sharing a practical travel-safety guide for EV drivers from minority communities, and for anyone who feels vulnerable on the road, heading out during the holidays. While written with electric-vehicle owners in mind, the advice is broadly useful for anyone who identifies with — or cares for someone in — a vulnerable or marginalized community. And although the focus is on U.S. travel, many of these tips apply around the world.

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*⏱️ Chapter Breakdown:*

00:00 – Introduction
01:28 – Safe travel is about more than your vehicle
02:57 – Why this video is live right now
04:45 – Should you go?
07:02 – Racial profiling exists
08:03 – What to take with you
09:10 – Get a dashcam
09:43 – Understanding statistics and avoiding problems
11:49 – Route planning
13:00 – Message security
14:47 – Security for messaging apps
15:26 – Creating safety phrases
17:37 – EV smart telematics
17:57 – Route planning safety tips
19:56 – Why you need a buffer
21:18 – Using Greenbooks and other resources to find friendly places to eat
22:30 – A polite reminder: most people are amazing, not horrible
23:27 – A word about decals
25:18 – Being “invisible” to police
25:48 – Have legal advice on standby
26:54 – Dealing with conflict and encounters
29:05 – Traffic stops and immigration
31:45 – An everyday reality for some of us
33:55 – Remembering those lost this year

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* Links:*

Find a FULL, comprehensive list of resources (and the full script) listed on our website companion post to this video : https://www.transportevolved.com/2025/11/20/travel-with-confidence-ev-travel-for-minority-groups-this-holiday-season/

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*👥 Today’s Sponsors*
🌱 Electric Vehicle Association – https://www.myeva.org
⚡ EnergySage – https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262

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*🎙️ Credits:*

Host: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Camera, Edit, Color: Vi Horton
Art & Animation: Erin Carlie
Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Music: via Artlist.io