Nowadays, the traditional British road trip is benefiting from the silent, high-tech upgrade of an electric car. It seems to be the case that car ownership is shifting towards electric vehicles as they become more affordable and popular.
For future purposes, more electric models are being produced, meaning the phasing out of diesel and petrol cars is likely to happen sooner.
With over one million electric vehicles on the road in the UK alone, it’s a good time to switch to an EV. Here are five ways in which electric cars are changing UK road trips.
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The Death of the “Service Station Dash”
EV charging is turning the quick fuel stops into a more relaxed and meaningful break. After all, drivers need to rest and relax when they stop off for fuel or for a pee and lunch stop with the family.
Charging often takes around 20-40 minutes, depending on how rapid the charging points are at certain service stations.
The amount of time it takes to charge a car often aligns perfectly with a proper coffee break, lunch or leg-stretching. It means you and your passengers can enjoy the journey more than having to feel rushed.
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Gamified route planning and scenic detours
The use of gamification has also made owning an EV a smart and fun form of car ownership. Tools like A Better Routeplanner and Zap-Map map out all of the available charging stops.
It therefore provides the driver with options on where to stop, like exploring scenic B roads over motorways to maximise regenerative braking.
It can also be a good way of discovering some hidden gems by making stops that you wouldn’t typically come across.
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Regenerative braking meets British topography
With the UK’s hilly landscape, it actively rewards those who are EV drivers. It means those rolling hills found in Wales, the Peak District or Scotland, for example, generate plenty of free energy on the descents.
The one-pedal driving makes winding, hilly roads a lot smoother and less tiring. You’ve also got the thrill of seeing your battery percentage go up while driving downhill.
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Exploring clean air zones without the cost
EVs eliminate the financial penalties that come when driving through historic city centres. Complete exemptions from charges in London’s ULEZ as well as in places like Bristol and Birmingham are a great way to save some money. It also makes for a great opportunity when mixing rural countryside driving with city sightseeing.
There’s the benefit of stress-free navigation without needing to worry about unexpected camera fines. You’ve also got financial incentives worth exploring, for example, with electriccarscheme.com when buying an EV for the first time.
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Destination charging opens up rural UK
When you’re on a road trip you might find that your accommodation choices change depending on the plug availability.
However, a lot of these once rural spots for finding charging points are modernising themselves by installing chargers.
Waking up every morning with a full charge is a great feeling when you don’t have to go to a main service station. Having something like this also helps support local economies in rural hotspots like the Lake District or Cornwall, for example.
EVs are the future of driving
It’s safe to say that EVs aren’t just a cleaner way to travel but they make road trips more mindful, affordable and relaxed.
Photo by Holiday Extras from Pexels
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