31 EVeryday Essentials to Always Keep in Your Car
Remember that time you came out of the store, rain pouring on your groceries, only to find your battery was dead?
Or the time you pulled into a public charging station and the charge cable handle was nasty?
How about the paper cut that would not stop bleeding?
Everyone has bad days—but being prepared with a few essential items can ease the frustration and get you back on the road sooner rather than later.
At a Glance: Everyday EV Tools, Gadgets & Essentials
Never Leave Home Without
Always in My Car
OVERALL RATING: 5/5 stars
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Heading Out to Enjoy the Day
EVeryday Driving Essentials: Never Leave Home without It
Why Preparation Matters (Even Just a Little)
Driving an electric vehicle (EV) offers an alternate way to travel, but it also comes with its own set of unique needs and considerations.
Whether you're commuting to work or heading out to run errands around town, a few essential items can help you stay safe and stress-free on the road.
In this article, we’ll explore a list of must-have items every EV driver should keep in their vehicle at all times.
Carrying basic tools, coins and safety essentials will ensure you're ready for whatever the outing brings.
EVeryday Driving Essentials: Always in My Car
Living in rural Alaska for five years taught me the importance of always having an "Oops Bag" a - collection of items that could keep me alive if I ended up stranded on the side of the highway.
While I no longer carry a literal bag, I do keep a few essential items on hand to keep the EV drive going when a party foul occurs.
These aren't large items, and I stash them in various places:
The center console for easy access essentials
The frunk for tools and repair items
The seatback pockets for gloves and notepads
The glove box for registration papers and first aid items
Everything has its place, so even if the car’s upside down and the lights are out, I can still find what I need.
Console Me
9 Items I Always Carry in the Console
This is my go-to space for frequently used items. Everything has an assigned spot, allowing me to grab items without even looking.
Swiss Army Knife - A very useful tool that does not take up much space
Two Inch Locking Pocket Knife - I like the security of an actual blade over the Swiss Army knife option
Charge Company Cards - I use a small RFID proof case to manage the charging station cards.
Listerine Breath Strips - I like the fresh breath, and open nostrils complement the open road
Hand Sanitizer - Always use after handling charging station cables
Hand Lotion - Used to counter the hand sanitizer dry skin syndrome
Kleenex Pack - Snot happens
Glasses Cleaning Rag - Good for wiping fingerprints off the touch screen too
10 US Quarters - I do not like paying parking app service fees and occasionally I need to vacuum my floors
For better organization, I use these console organizer trays: Armrest Storage & Lower Center Console
Da Frunk
12 Tools That I Carry in the Frunk
I appreciate that the Kia EV6 has a mechanical hood release—placing essential tools up front ensures access even when the power is out.
Kit Tire Mobility Kit - Spare tire in a bag
Kia Vehicle to Load Adapter - Used to energize my campground
Kia NACS Adapter - Perfect fit in the Aproca hard sided case (read about using the Tesla charging network here)
12-Volt Battery Booster - Small size fits in the Frunk & useful when the charge is down
10 Various Size Zip Ties - Many uses - MANY
6” Cresent Wrench - Never have used this on my EV, used it a lot on my ‘79 Landcruiser
Lineman’s Pliers - For getting a good grip
Needle Nose Pliers - Grab small parts, tighten the zip ties & pinch your fingers
Wire Cut Pliers - Snip away excess zip ties and wires
4 Way Screwdriver - Honestly, I have never used this, but it sounds better than a drink
Glow Sticks - Cheap Flares or dark park fun
Chammy Cloth - Good to lay tools on the ground and wipe your hands
After a little practice, packing the frunk feels like prepping for an EV road trip—strategic, space-saving, and just one reusable water bottle away from perfection.
Tight Pockets
3 Items I Always Carry in the Seat Pockets
I’ve found that the flat seatback pockets are great for carrying oddly shaped items I use often.
Rubber Garden Gloves - Carried to use when handling charging cables
Notepad - Write notes, ideas & love letters
Pilot G-2 Gel Pen - Taking notes for future blog posts
Be creative—seatback pockets are easily accessible from every seat in the house.
The Gloveless Glove Box
7 Items I Always Carry in My Glove Box
My plan is to keep this content minimal—it's all too easy to fill this endless hole and make items hard to find.
Extra Phone Charging Cable - Small and easy to fit into the compartment
Floss Sticks - I am obsessed with clean teeth, and this one-handed wonder prevents me from steering with my knees
Shout Wipes - I do not eat in my car, but accidents still happen
Emergency Rain Poncho - Small flat package that can come in handy for rain or holding in body heat (bring a second for your partner)
First Aid Kit - Good collection of items for a cut or after a face plant in a National Park
Window Scraper - Good for ice, snow and bugs (small and easy to slide into the endless hole)
Essential Papers that the Police look at when I am showing off the electric acceleration
I have downloaded the 2022 Kia EV6 User Manual PDF file to my smart phone so I could ditch the big book and free up glove box space.
That Big Space Under the Cargo Area
I don’t store daily or even weekly essentials in the space under the cargo area. It holds my security shade cover and some old blankets—nothing I need in an urgent situation.
I’ve tried to fit my Musart portable Level 2 charger there, but unfortunately, it’s too thick for the floor to lay flat. In my experience, this space is best suited for flat items that do not require unloading packages, mulch, power tools or any other odd object that I may be carrying.
If you have any go-to items that you store in this space, please share them in the comments—I’d love to learn what works for you.
Birds Eye Review: EVeryday Essentials: Smooth Sailing
Carrying essential items ensures you're prepared for unexpected situations
The center console keeps frequently used items like charge cards, tissues, and hand sanitizer within easy reach.
For less frequently used gear, the frunk offers extra space for charge adaptors, battery jumper and small hand tools.
Seat back pockets are great for holding quick access essentials for fueling and note taking.
The glove box is perfect for keeping documents and small essentials out of view.
Staying organized in a small space can be tricky, but choosing the right essentials for each storage area makes all the difference.
With a thoughtful setup, your car becomes more than just transportation—it’s a well-equipped companion for whatever the road brings.
