This guest editor piece was written by Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV. You can find out more about Be.EV, here.
It happens every Christmas (and no, we’re not talking about family arguments). Traffic jams clog the motorways as families drive home for Christmas, with motorway service stations getting flooded with stressed EV drivers.
It’s hardly surprising with so many myths and misconceptions around – but we need a mindset shift. Away from range anxiety and the belief that service areas and fuel stations are the only place to stop and recharge – there’s a better way!
Drivers often don’t think their cars have enough range to get home, or are worried that there aren’t enough chargers to rely on. Many also think the charging provision outside of London is so poor that they have no other option than to look at motorway service stations.
This Christmas, we’ve had enough.
Enough of the myths and confusion. As a charging network, it’s our duty to make sure that EV drivers, particularly newer ones, are equipped with the knowledge they need to miss the queues, avoid the stress and charge easily this Christmas. So it’s time to break down these myths once and for all:
1. Rubbish range
First, the range anxiety issue. You don’t need to pay extortionate amounts of money for vehicles with bucket-loads of range – did you know the average range of an EV is 300 miles? Most EVs have plenty of range for the vast majority of festive drives over Christmas, even when it’s cold outside.
Though, if you’re dotting about like Santa himself, and your car is heavier than usual with presents and extra aunts and uncles in the back seat, there are plenty of chargers you can rely on to get you home.
2. Motorway Mayhem!
Remember, there are plenty of ultra-rapid charging hubs located less than 10 minutes from motorways.
Drivers don’t need to sit in the motorway service queue to charge on their way home for Christmas, because chances are, there are quicker and quieter chargers very close by (with food, drink and shops that are a little cheaper too).
3. Not enough chargers
There are always lots of headlines out there about how a lack of chargers is the main thing causing range anxiety and holding back the transition.
However, a recent report from the National Audit Office disproved this, as it concluded the UK is on track to meet the 300,000 target by 2030. Over 18,000 new charge points were installed this year alone!
4. They’re all in London
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, many still believe that the charging provision outside of London is so poor that motorway service stations are the only option.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
According to the most recent data, it’s true that London has more overall charging devices than the national average (234 devices per 100,000 people compared to the UK average of 96), but they’re rarely the right kind.
When it comes to rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, the quickest kind, London actually has less than the national average (13.7 devices per 100,000 people compared to the UK average of 18.5).
So, drivers looking for a speedy top-up outside of London can rest assured, there’s plenty of chargers, plenty of hubs, and little to worry about when travelling this Christmas.
Christmas can be difficult with presents to buy, food to make and guests to entertain. However, charging doesn’t have to be. All you need to do on your drive home is look forward to seeing your loved ones – the public charging infrastructure has got your back.
