Legendary Scottish road trip with stunning views ranked least EV-friendly in UK
The North Coast 500 may be famed as one of Britain's most breathtaking drives, but for electric vehicle owners, it's also one of the least friendly routes in the UK, according to a new study.
The study, conducted by Evans Halshaw, analysed some of the best road trips across the UK based on several key factors important to electric vehicle owners:
The number of EV charging locations nearby, charging density (charging points per kilometre), the number of full charges required to complete the route, accommodation options with parking, and the number of nearby attractions along the journey.
While the North Coast 500 is celebrated for its breathtaking scenery, its infrastructure for electric vehicles was found to be modest, and it ranked worst out of the 10 routes analysed.
With 80 EV charging locations within close proximity to the route, careful planning is needed to cover its long distances.
The study highlighted its charging density at just 0.10 charging points per kilometre, ranking lower than any other road trip analysed, meaning drivers will need to plan their charging stops carefully, especially in more isolated areas.
As the longest route featured in the study, stretching 839 km, it typically requires 1.69 full charges to complete, demanding a little planning depending on an EV's range.
For comparison, the study found the South Downs takes the top spot for charging accessibility with 250 charging locations nearby, the most of any route ranked. The Peak District (129) and Cotswolds (125) also followed closely for charging point availability, offering drivers more options with minimal range anxiety.
Despite its charging challenges, the North Coast 500 did fare well in other aspects crucial for a successful road trip. It ranks amongst the best for EV-friendly lodging, with 165 accommodation options along the route offering parking, making it ideal for a multi day escape.
Furthermore, for those looking to explore beyond the drive, the route boasts 540 nearby attractions, including over 375 in Inverness alone where the route begins.
The journey also includes highlights like Gairloch, seen as one of the UK's hotspots for cetacean and whale spotting, and the dramatic Bealach na Bà road on the final miles to Applecross, considered one of the nation's great driving roads.
Commenting on the study, Rob Miller, Group Vice President at Evans Halshaw, stated: 'Evans Halshaw has completed this study and found these great routes for EV owners to enjoy across the UK, which have stunning sights to see, places to stay and attractions to visit.
"There are plenty of EV charging locations available throughout these road trips too, so you'll only need a tiny bit of route planning, when driving along any of these spectacular routes.'
Here's how the EV road trips ranked overall:
Rank
Road Trip
Country
Score
1
South Downs
England
100.00
2
Peak District
England
95.72
3
Cotswolds
England
69.22
4
Norfolk Coast
England
61.38
5
Lake District
England
53.77
6
Causeway Coastal Route
Northern Ireland
46.92
7
Jurassic Coast
England
42.08
8
The Yorkshire Dales
England
39.50
9
Pembrokeshire
Wales
34.95
10
North Coast 500
Scotland
28.23
Meanwhile, a new guide aims to highlight the delights of south west Scotland specifically for electric car drivers.
The South West Coastal 300 route loops through Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire, showcasing the area's natural beauty and heritage, from untamed coastlines and timeless forests to storybook castles and quaint small towns.
VisitScotland has created this new guide to the scenic SWC300 drive with electric vehicle drivers firmly in mind.
It covers everything from accessible charging points and eco friendly stays to relaxed daily drivers, offering what is described as the perfect way to enjoy the popular route as a low emission road trip typically covering three days.
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