Electric Cars on Motorways: Planning Your Charging

Long-distance EV travel requires careful planning. Learn how to optimize your charging stops and make motorway journeys stress-free.

UK Motorway Charging Network

The UK has an extensive network of rapid chargers at motorway service stations, making long-distance EV travel increasingly practical.

Major Charging Networks

Gridserve Electric Highway: Rapid chargers at most motorway services
Ionity: Ultra-rapid 350kW chargers
Tesla Supercharger: Extensive network (now open to other EVs)
BP Pulse: Growing rapid charging network
Shell Recharge: Available at Shell forecourts

Charging Speeds Explained

Slow (3-7kW): 8-12 hours for full charge
Fast (7-22kW): 3-4 hours for full charge
Rapid (43-50kW): 30-60 minutes to 80%
Ultra-rapid (150-350kW): 15-30 minutes to 80%

💡 Tip

Most EVs charge fastest from 10-80%. Charging from 80-100% takes significantly longer, so plan stops accordingly.

Planning Your Journey

Route Planning Tools

Zap-Map: Comprehensive UK charging point database
A Better Route Planner (ABRP): Optimizes routes with charging stops
PlugShare: Community-driven charging location app
In-car navigation: Most modern EVs have built-in route planning

Journey Planning Tips

Plan charging stops before you leave
Have backup charging locations identified
Check charger availability in real-time
Arrive with 10-20% battery remaining
Combine charging with meal breaks

Charging Costs

Motorway rapid charging is more expensive than home charging but still competitive with petrol/diesel. Don't forget to factor in toll road charges on your route.

Typical Costs (per kWh)

Home charging: 7-30p/kWh (depending on tariff)
Public slow/fast: 30-50p/kWh
Motorway rapid: 65-85p/kWh
Tesla Supercharger: 50-60p/kWh

Example Journey Cost

London to Manchester (200 miles) in a typical EV (3.5 miles/kWh):

Energy needed: 57 kWh
Cost at 70p/kWh: £40
Equivalent petrol car (45 MPG): £60

Money-Saving Tips

Join charging network memberships for discounted rates
Use apps to compare charging prices
Charge at destination chargers when possible
Optimize driving efficiency to reduce charging needs
Pre-condition battery while plugged in

Winter Considerations

Cold weather affects EV range and charging speed:

Expect 20-30% range reduction in winter
Pre-heat cabin while plugged in
Plan more frequent charging stops
Battery may charge slower in cold weather

🧮 Plan Your EV Journey

Calculate total journey costs including charging

Calculate Costs