The South Downs emerges as the UK’s most EV-friendly road trip, while the Peak District and Cotswolds also rank highly. At the other end of the scale, Scotland’s North Coast 500 presents the biggest challenge for EV drivers, with limited charging infrastructure and long distances between stops.
The research from Evans Halshaw assessed 10 scenic routes based on the number of EV charging locations nearby, charging density (charging points per km), the number of full charges required to complete the route, accommodation options with parking, and nearby attractions along the journey.
Here’s how the EV road trips ranked overall:
Rank Road Trip Country Score
1 South Downs England 100.00
2 Peak District England 95.72
3 Cotswolds England 69.22
4 Norfolk Coast England 61.38
5 Lake District England 53.77
6 Causeway Coastal Route Northern Ireland 46.92
7 Jurassic Coast England 42.08
8 The Yorkshire Dales England 39.50
9 Pembrokeshire Wales 34.95
10 North Coast 500 Scotland 28.23
The South Downs takes the top spot for charging accessibility, with 250 charging locations nearby - the most of any road trip in the ranking. The Peak District (129) and Cotswolds (125) follow closely, ensuring drivers can charge up with minimal range anxiety.
At the other end of the list, North Coast 500 (80) and Pembrokeshire (42) have the fewest available chargers, making long journeys more challenging for EV drivers.
When looking at charging points per kilometre, the South Downs again leads the way, with an impressive 1.39 charging stations per km, ensuring that drivers never have to go far for a top-up. The Peak District (0.85/km) and Norfolk Coast (0.63/km) also score highly.
In contrast, the North Coast 500 has a charging density of just 0.10/km, meaning drivers must plan their stops carefully to avoid running out of charge in remote locations.
For drivers concerned about range, shorter routes like the South Downs (180 km) and the Causeway Coastal Route (111 km) allow for easier, stress-free journeys with minimal charging stops.
However, Scotland’s North Coast 500 covers a massive 839 km, requiring multiple full charges to complete. It’s a beautiful but challenging road trip for EV drivers, requiring careful planning.
A successful road trip isn’t just about the drive, but also about where you stay along the way. The Peak District ranks highest for accommodation, with 442 nearby options that offer parking, making it ideal for an overnight EV-friendly stay.
Meanwhile, the Pembrokeshire road trip has the fewest accommodation options with parking (41), which could make overnight stays more difficult for EV travellers in the area.
For those looking to explore beyond the road, the Peak District comes out on top, boasting 1,344 nearby attractions, followed by the South Downs (1,155) and Cotswolds (1,070).
At the other end of the scale, Pembrokeshire (228) and the Causeway Coastal Route (371) have fewer attractions, making them more suited to scenic getaways than action-packed trips.
Commenting on the study, Rob Miller, Group Vice President at Evans Halshaw, said: “Evans Halshaw has completed this study and found these great routes for EV owners to enjoy across the UK, which have stunning sights to see, places to stay and attractions to visit.
“There are plenty of EV charging locations available throughout these road trips too, so you’ll only need a tiny bit of route planning, when driving along any of these spectacular routes.”
The full survey can be accessed here
