Concerns over the availability of charging points are deterring a significant portion of electric vehicle (EV) owners in the United Kingdom from taking domestic holidays, according to recent research. A study by Compare the Market found that 48% of UK-based EV drivers have foregone holidaying in Britain with their electric car due to worries about finding charging stations.
This hesitancy persists even as EV adoption grows, with the RAC estimating there are now 2 million EVs on UK roads. For many EV drivers, locating a charging point is a primary concern on longer journeys, with nearly one in three drivers identifying it as their biggest worry. Drivers typically begin planning a charging stop around 71 miles into a trip, and one in four check charging availability before even starting their journey.
The lack of charging facilities at holiday accommodations is a significant factor. Only 4% of holiday lets in seaside towns and 8% of campsites offer charging points, making it challenging for EV owners to recharge during their stays.
Despite these concerns, some UK destinations are becoming more EV-friendly. An analysis of seaside towns and national parks revealed Worthing as the top seaside town for EV drivers, scoring 61 out of 100 with 69 public charging points within a five-mile radius. Bournemouth and Clacton-on-Sea followed, scoring 53 and 51 respectively. Among national parks, Dartmoor led with a score of 65 out of 100, offering 18 public charging points including fast and ultra-rapid options. New Forest and South Downs were ranked second and third.
These popular destinations have seen substantial growth in public charging infrastructure, with an average increase of 552% across top seaside towns and 640% across top national parks since 2021.
Amy Rootham, car insurance expert at Compare the Market, commented that while the UK's public charging network has expanded considerably, driver confidence has not kept pace. She noted that nearly half of EV drivers have opted against a UK holiday due to charging concerns, despite the significant expansion of charging infrastructure in many popular staycation locations.