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EV Myth-busting – It’s all about driving home for Christmas
It’s that time of year. Yes, Christmas is almost here and for many of us that means hitting the roads for longer than usual journeys. And for those planning a road trip in an electric car, possibly for the first time, there might be a few understandable nerves. We’re here with everything you need to know ahead of the great Christmas getaway.
Can an electric car really go the distance?
The short answer is yes. The range for an electric car on a single charge continues to increase, with 235 miles now being the average, according to the EV database (November 2024).
And the technology continues to advance with new electric cars coming to market with a range of more than 400 miles. As an example, here are some of the top EV fleet choices we’re seeing:
If you are travelling significant distances over the festive season, it is sensible to plan for a stop, because even if the car doesn’t need a recharge, you will. In fact the Highway Code recommends a stop of at least 15 minutes for every two hours of driving - and that’s an ideal time to charge your car too.
Planning your festive EV pitstops
Are there really enough public chargers outside of cities?
Cities and urban areas are typically well served by charge points. That isn’t surprising when you consider that rural areas generally need fewer public charge points because more people can park off street and therefore charge at home.
So, what does that look like by region? Zapmap’s October figures show that the area with the most EV charging points is Greater London with 21,658, followed by the South East with 9,136 and West Midlands with 6,343.
However, while London has the most charge points by some way, you will still find plenty of charge points around major A roads and at 97% of motorway service stations. Even in county and rural areas there is still one charger for every 9.5 miles.
How many UK public charge points are there?
The number of charge points continue to increase as the government works towards a target of 300,000 by 2030. At the end of October 2024, the UK had a total of 71,459 public electric charge points - a 38% year on year uplift since October 2023.
Where are the EV public charge points?
Public charge points can be found at:
- Motorway service stations
- Dedicated charging hubs
- On-street
- Retail sites -supermarkets, retail parks and cinemas
- Hotels
- National parks and attractions
For long journeys, It is sensible to plan where to charge ina dvance, especially when roads and charge points may be busier than usual. That can be done via downloading one of the excellent charge points apps such as Zapmap or PlugShare. It is also worth having a ‘Plan B’ just in case your first choice is busy or out of order.
How long does it take to public charge an EV?
Charge time will depend on a few different factors including; car model, battery size, charge point speed and the ability for a car to accept charge. On an ultra rapid charger you should be able to charge an electric car to 80% in 10 to 15 minutes according to Zapmap. So by the time you’ve had a comfort break and picked up a gingerbread latte, you should be good to go. If you’re using a standard 50kW rapid charge point it will be slower so it's worth planning in time for a longer stop.
For more information about charging: Check out our EV myth-buster article on EV charging
Can an EV cope with the British winter weather?
No one can predict what the weather will deliver this Christmas, but it’s good to know that electric cars really can handle all conditions.
What do I need to know about driving an electric car in cold weather?
Firstly, it is possible! It is worth knowing that one of the biggest markets for EVs is Norway, where average daily temperatures in the winter are sub-zero. It is wirth noting that low temperatures reduce the efficiency of an EV’s lithium-ion battery so you will need to charge more often. Studies show that when the temperature hits freezing point, the reduction in range is 10%-20%.
Here's some tips to maximise electric car range in the cold:
- Set the preheat function for 30 minutes before you leave - most EVs have preheat capability. This will not only provide a toasty cabin and defrosted windows, but it will also preheat the battery to improve efficiency
- Drive efficiently to maximise range
- Use the heating wisely - that might mean heating the seats or steering wheel rather than just blasting out heat to the whole cabin
- Check your tyre pressures - just like an ICE vehicle, correctly inflated tyres improve performance as well as safety
Is it ok to drive an electric car in wet weather?
It’s Britain, so we’ve more chance of a wet Christmas than a white one, so what does that mean for your electric car?
Is it safe to charge an electric vehicle in the rain?
Yes. It is perfectly safe to charge an EV in the rain and EV chargers are designed to be waterproof. But not all EV charging stations have a canopy so, for your own convenience, you may prefer to find one that does.
Can I drive in a downpour?
Yes, but treat any standing water with the same caution you would in a traditional ICE vehicle. Proceed with caution and remember that braking distances are longer in the wet. The MET office advice is not to drive through standing water as, even if the water appears shallow, just 30cm of moving water can float your car.
Our EV 'Driving home for Christmas' checklist
- Charge your EV the night before you travel
- Download charge point locator apps such as Zapmap or PlugShare
- Plan your route - including ‘Plan B’ charge points
- Charge your phone - important for charge point location and payment
- Complete standard vehicle checks - tyre pressures & tread, screenwash fluid, lights
- Pack your charging cables
- Pre-condition your vehicle for 30 minutes before you leave if it’s cold
So, that’s it. All that’s left to do is download your Christmas playlist and relax into your Christmas travels. And the best gift of all? Enjoying the ease of driving an electric car, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be contributing zero emissions to Santa's flight path (which, incidentally, you can pick up here 😊)
Want to understand more about moving to an electric vehicle fleet?
At Gofor, we’re experts on the transition to electric so we are able to support you with every aspect. We’ll carry out an analysis of your current fleet and make recommendations on what will work for your business.
Find out more on our fleet electrification page.
