Classic road trips are evolving into something more fully charged. As countries and rental companies make the electric leap, choosing to reduce your carbon footprint with an EV has never been easier.
The EV Revolution is Coming
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising technology on the verge of becoming mainstream. However, the mass adoption of this eco-friendly option has faced a classic chicken-and-egg struggle: what comes first, EV owners or widespread public charging stations? Travellers eager to try an EV while on vacation often encounter challenges, as many rental-car companies have been slow to include EVs in their fleets.
There’s renewed optimism on the horizon. Many countries are implementing ambitious plans to install charging stations, while car manufacturers producing EVs are investing in infrastructure to enhance their usage. Although EVs are primarily seen as practical for urban excursions, the installation of chargers along rural routes has opened new avenues for road travel. While in many regions, an electric road trip may seem like a dream, several EV-friendly destinations could surprise you.
Whether your goal is to reduce your environmental impact or simply to try something new, taking an EV road trip presents a fantastic opportunity for adventurous travellers. Therefore, as the stars align for an electrifying getaway, join the ranks of pioneers setting out on the road without the noise of traditional gas engines.
Embrace Your Range Anxiety
In the era of GPS and Google Maps, it has become increasingly difficult to take a wrong turn. While you’ll reach your destination faster, you might miss out on the thrilling adventure that accompanies taking the road less travelled.
EV drivers often encounter ‘range anxiety,’ the apprehension of being stranded far from a charging station. While this concern is natural, even among seasoned drivers, transforming that anxiety into motivation for your trip can lead to exhilarating experiences—particularly on picturesque detours.
Planning for an EV adventure comes with its unique challenges; however, it also offers substantial rewards. EV drivers support one another, and various online resources, forums, and apps exist to help map EV chargers around the globe. When you choose to drive an EV, you become part of a community ready to discover the world in a fresh manner, and they will assist you in navigating this exciting journey.
It’s Not About the Destination…
It’s important to note that not all EV chargers are created equal; thus, you may find yourself paused for a substantial amount of time—potentially even hours—to recharge. Take a cue from your vehicle and consider resting for a while, perhaps in a location you didn’t anticipate. Chargers are deployed variably by cities, countries, and enterprises. You could find yourself near a college campus, at a luxurious spa along a breathtaking coastline, or in a quaint strip mall in an unfamiliar town.
Taking an electric road trip requires you to pause and admire the scenery; therefore, don’t let anyone convince you this is a disadvantage. In fact, this presents the ideal chance to explore locations you might not have visited had a petrol station been conveniently nearby. Your EV experience is creating a new kind of adventurer; embrace it wholeheartedly.
10 Great Places for Electric Road-Tripping
- West Coast Green Highway, North America: Cruise from British Columbia to California, waving to fellow EV drivers along the way.
- National Tourist Route Hardangervidda, Norway: Journey from Bergen to see the waterfalls and mountains in Hardangervidda National Park.
- Barbados: Leave no beach untouched while making the most of the island-wide charging system.
- Madeira, Portugal: Exploring Madeira in an EV? Find one that can fit your hiking gear and a surfboard.
- United Arab Emirates and Oman: Hit all seven emirates and stop in Muscat and Sohar without worrying about your charge.
- Golden Route, Japan: Take this busy route past Mt Fuji from Tokyo to Kyoto without adding to the fumes.
- North Coast 500, Scotland: Travel the Scottish Highlands – but you still can’t get behind the wheel after sampling from the local distilleries!
- Queensland’s Electric Super Highway, Australia: Cruising from Cairns to Coolangatta has never been such a breeze.
- Route 66, USA: Like Bob Dylan before it, this US classic has gone electric (but with more public blessing).
- Black Forest, Germany: Drive into a fairy tale on one of the most environmentally friendly routes in Germany.
