Electric vehicle drivers have been urged to plan their charging stops carefully ahead of the August Bank Holiday, as new research reveals significant gaps in ultra-rapid charging provision across some of Britain’s busiest motorways.
With 17.6 million leisure journeys estimated to have taken place over last year’s August Bank Holiday weekend, a repeat this year following record EV sales will see 950,400 journeys made by EVs across the holiday period.
This year, Britain’s roads have around 450,000 more electric vehicles on them than at the same point last year, placing additional pressure on charging facilities during one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer.
New analysis by EV installers The Solar Co assessed the availability of 150kW+ ultra-rapid charging at motorway service stations, as well as the distance between charging opportunities, alongside estimates of how many EVs will be present on motorways each day of the long bank holiday weekend.
Britain’s best motorways for fast EV charging
The research found that the M42 offers the highest proportion of ultra-rapid charging, with 98% of its motorway charging points capable of delivering speeds of 150kW or more. The M1 and M4 follow closely, with 93% of their charging points meeting the 150kW+ threshold, while the M25 and M62 both record 90%.
At the bottom of the ranking, only 67% of the M27’s charging points offer speeds of 150kW or more. The M6 follows at 80%, while the M5 and M40 both record 89%. The M60 has no conventional motorway service area, so it has no on-route charging points to assess.
However, the M5, used by an estimated 5,186 EVs daily across the bank holiday weekend, has the longest 150kW+ charging blind spot, with southbound drivers facing an 87-mile gap between Michaelwood Services and Exeter. The M4, estimated to be used by 5,218 EVs each day, has the second-longest gap, at 61.1 miles between Magor and Membury services.
In comparison, the M62 and M40, expected to be used by an estimated 5,459 and 5,431 EVs daily respectively, offer the shortest gaps between ultra-rapid charging locations, at 23.9 and 24 miles. The M27 carries an estimated 5,956 EVs each day, but has only one motorway service area, meaning a comparable gap cannot be calculated.
George Penny, EV Charging Expert and Director at The Solar Co, shares six ways EV drivers can prepare for charging blind spots and long charging queues this Bank Holiday:
1. Avoid the lunchtime charging rush
“If you have some flexibility, try to avoid travelling and charging during the busiest parts of the day.
“Public charging demand can peak around 11am to 1pm, so charging earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon could help you avoid the lunchtime rush. Starting your journey with as much charge as possible may also allow you to delay your first stop until after peak demand has passed.”
2. Plan for motorway charging blind spots
“Drivers should not assume that another ultra-rapid charger will always be available a few miles further along the motorway.
“Our analysis found gaps of up to 87 miles between 150kW+ motorway charging opportunities, so check the location of your next two suitable charging stops before setting off. Keeping enough range in reserve to reach the second location will give you another option if your planned charger is full, unavailable or out of service.”
3. Look for chargers just off the motorway
“Motorway service stations are the most obvious places to recharge, which can also make them some of the busiest.
“Before beginning your journey, check whether there are rapid or ultra-rapid chargers a few minutes away from the motorway junctions along your route. A short detour could provide more charging options and save you from waiting in a long queue.”
4. Don’t automatically charge to 100%
“For many electric vehicles, charging speeds begin to slow significantly once the battery reaches around 80%.
“During a busy Bank Holiday weekend, it may be quicker to charge only as much as you need to comfortably reach your next stop instead of waiting for the final 20%. This will also free up the charger sooner for the next driver.”
5. Download charging apps before leaving home
“Don’t wait until you are standing beside a charger to discover that you need a particular app, account or payment method.
“Download the apps for the charging networks located along your route in advance and check that your payment details are up to date. This will give you more flexibility to switch to another provider quickly if your planned stop is busy.”
6. Allow extra range in wet weather
“Heavy rain can reduce an EV’s efficiency because tyres face greater rolling resistance on wet roads, while using the windscreen wipers, heating and demisters draws additional power.
“Leave a little more range in reserve than usual, drive smoothly and increase the distance between you and the vehicle ahead. Public EV chargers are designed to be used safely in the rain, but never use visibly damaged or waterlogged equipment.”
