Our research reveals the best UK destinations for electric vehicle (EV) drivers planning their next getaway.
Choosing a staycation spot isn’t always plain sailing.
For electric vehicle drivers, it’s not just tourist attractions you'll be browsing – whether you can charge quickly, reliably, and affordably will also be front of mind.
So, where in the UK can EV drivers enjoy a hassle-free getaway?
We set out to answer exactly that, with a study analysing 100 of the UK’s most popular staycation spots.
What makes a destination EV-friendly?
To rank the UK’s most EV-friendly spots, we scored every location on six key factors that make a real difference to EV drivers:
- Charging infrastructure: The number of charging stations within 5km.
- Speed: The percentage of rapid and ultra-rapid chargers available.
- Reliability: The average reliability rating of charging networks in the area.
- Cost: Average charging price per kWh.
- Convenience: Percentage of hotels offering on-site EV charging.
- Points of interest: Tourist attractions and things to do within 5km.
Each metric was scored, weighted equally, and combined into a single overall score out of 100 to generate the final ranking.
Warwick takes the top spot with a perfect 100/100 score
Head to the historic market town of Warwick and you’ll have 74 stations at your disposal, with nearly a quarter offering rapid charging.
With 254 points of interest, there’s no shortage of things to see and do either. Popular spots include the medieval Warwick Castle, the Collegiate Church of St. Mary, and the Lord Leycester Hospital.
Isle of Wight’s Shanklin takes second place with 91/100. The seaside town boasts a whopping 411 tourist attractions and over a third of its chargers provide a rapid boost.
Alfriston comes third with 89/100. The picturesque East Sussex village is the most affordable place to charge, at just £0.28 per kWh.
Regional winners
Warwick is our overall UK winner, but which destinations take the crown in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?
In Wales, it's Betws-y-Coed
Betws-y-Coed, otherwise known as "the gateway to Snowdonia", scored 85/100 in our EV-friendly ranking.
The scenic village offers 11 charging points with an impressive 92% reliability rating, alongside 186 points of interest, which include waterfalls, woodland walks, and some of Wales’ most scenic landscapes.
In Scotland, it's Pitlochry
Scoring 73/100, the Highland Perthshire town of Pitlochry has 149 points of interest and 38% rapid chargers, making it a great base for exploring the Cairngorms, touring distilleries, and enjoying Scotland’s lochs and mountains.
In Northern Ireland, it's Enniskillen
Enniskillen, which scored 79/100 in our ranking, is set between Upper and Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh. The island town offers 21 charging points with 87% reliability, and some of the UK’s most affordable rates at just £0.49 per kWh.
There’s plenty to explore too, from historic castles to the stunning Fermanagh Lakelands and the nearby UNESCO Global Geopark.
Where’s best for budget, reliability, speed, and convenience?
When planning your staycation, you’ll probably have a few key priorities in mind.
Whether it’s the price of charging or hotels offering overnight boosts, here’s where to head for:
- Affordability: Alfriston is best for your budget, with charging at just £0.28 per kWh. That’s less than half of what you’ll pay in some destinations.
- Reliability: Head to St. Ives for charging peace of mind, with the Cornish town scoring a 96% reliability rating.
- Speed: Bamburgh and Tobermory are the go-to spots for rapid charging, with 100% of chargers classed as rapid or ultra-rapid.
- Overnight convenience: Northumberland’s Holy Island Causeway and Lynmouth lead the way, with 33% and 23% of hotels offering on-site charging.
Our top 20 EV-friendly locations
Wondering how the spot you’re considering fares? We’ve rounded up our top 20 EV-friendly locations:
- Warwick, Warwickshire
- Shanklin, Isle of Wight
- Alfriston, East Sussex
- Lynmouth, Devon
- Betws-y-Coed, Conwy
- Keswick, Cumbria
- Padstow, Cornwall
- Windermere, Cumbria
- Whitstable, Kent
- Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Conwy, Conwy
- Buxton, Derbyshire
- Llandudno, Conwy
- Mousehole, Cornwall
- Enniskillen, County Fermanagh
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
- Lyme Regis, Dorset
- Castleton, Derbyshire
- Bakewell, Derbyshire
- Hillsborough, County Down
We’re here to help insure your staycations and beyond
If you have a new electric vehicle you’re looking to insure or it’s time to renew, we’re here to make life easier with our award-winning car insurance for electric cars.
Some of the benefits of insuring your vehicle with Ageas include:
- If your car is damaged in an accident and you can’t drive it, we can arrange transport for you and your passengers to get home or to your planned UK destination safely.
- If you need to make a claim, you’re supported by a UK-based claims helpline that’s available 24/7.
- If you have an accident, our approved repairer will pick up your car, fix it, and return it to you. Plus, we’ll provide a courtesy car while yours is being repaired*.
- You can also manage your policy or make a claim easily online.
Find out more about our electric car insurance.
Find out more about the Ageas study.
*Excludes cars written off or stolen and unrecovered.
