New survey reveals Britain’s top EV staycation locations

As more drivers take to the roads in electric vehicles (EV), Fastned, the EV charging network powered by 100% renewable energy, commissioned research among 2,000 UK drivers, including 1,000 dedicated EV drivers, to explore the nation’s changing attitudes towards summer road trips.

One of the top findings from the survey revealed that 87% of Brits have already travelled, or would consider travelling, to staycation destinations by electric vehicle. 

In fact, 90% of EV drivers surveyed (net majority) said they were firmly behind ultra-rapid charging, offered by the likes of Fastned, which could allow most motorists to charge their EV with up to 300 miles of range, in just 20 minutes, helping them reach their countryside and coastal destinations quicker.

With 51 per cent of Brits saying they are more likely to holiday in the UK than they were five years ago, Britain’s great road trips are proving there’s plenty of reason to stay local and hit the road this summer. The research also revealed the top 10 destinations for electric vehicle road trippers, with Norfolk and North East England ranking among the top five.

County Durham, the Kentish Coast and the Suffolk Coast also featured in the top 10, offering drivers a stress-free getaway with plenty of opportunities to recharge both their vehicle and themselves. 

Confidence in the UK’s public charging infrastructure is also at an all-time high, with 81% of EV motorists surveyed saying they feel assured that the charging network can now support them on long-distance journeys. 

Tom Hurst, UK Country Director at Fastned, said: “We believe the driver comes first, so we looked to uncover what the future of summer road trips looks like for UK motorists, including specifically EV drivers. From where people are heading to what makes a great staycation destination, we wanted to explore how travel habits are shifting gears and what’s powering the next generation of road trips.

“Across much of mainland Europe, there’s a well-known phenomenon called ‘Black Weekend’ or ‘Black Saturday’, the moment when millions of people hit the roads at the same time to head to their favourite beaches, coastlines and countryside spots for their summer getaway. Think ‘Black Friday’, but for summer travel.

“We were intrigued to find out whether Britain is starting to develop its own version and whether EV drivers are helping to drive a new era of summer travel.”

According to the research, the weekend of 7th August was identified by those polled as the UK’s peak summer getaway weekend, making it possibly the UK’s equivalent of Europe’s “Black Weekend” (or “Black Saturday”), a popular term used across Europe to describe the busiest summer travel period within the country. In fact, over the past five years, 56 per cent said they have consciously moved towards a lifestyle more traditionally associated with countries like Spain, France, Monaco and Italy. 

Tom Hurst, UK Country Director at Fastned, added: “As more people switch to electric, understanding how, when and where they travel will be key to keeping the UK’s EV transition moving.” 

Carried out through OnePoll, the UK Summer Travel research also found:

Four in 10 people (40 per cent) now eat outdoors more frequently than they used to, while 26 per cent have adopted a slower pace of life. 
Around three in 10 (28 per cent) now take more time to enjoy and savour meals, and 37 per cent like spending more time outdoors and enjoying their surroundings. 
UK’s Top 10 best Staycation destinations for EV Drivers were:
Cornwall – e.g. St Ives, Falmouth, Penzance, Land’s End  
Cotswolds – e.g. Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bibury  
Scotland / Gateway to the Highlands – e.g. Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Glencoe, Scottish Highlands  
Norfolk – e.g. North Norfolk Coast, Hunstanton, Wells-next-the-Sea, Sandringham  
North East England – e.g. Northumberland, Bamburgh, Alnwick, Holy Island  
Kent Coast – e.g. White Cliffs of Dover, Deal, Folkestone, Sandwich  
North East Coast – e.g. Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, Newcastle  
Suffolk Coast – e.g. Aldeburgh, Southwold, Woodbridge  
County Durham – e.g. Durham City, Beamish Museum, North Pennines  
West London – e.g. Windsor, Richmond, Kew Gardens  
The nature-inspired CPO has 39 ultra-rapid charging hubs across the UK, including locations in all of the survey’s top EV staycation destinations, and more than 440 across Europe, Fastned’s growing network is helping EV drivers go further and get to where they need to be.

Tom Hurst, UK Country Director for Fastned, added: “We’re seeing more people embrace staycations, longer road trips and electric vehicles, as a more sustainable, and indeed, affordable way to travel. We wanted to understand whether those trends are beginning to converge, and how they’re changing the way people think about summer journeys. 

“After all, the best road trips aren’t about standing still; they’re about where the road takes you next.” 

As more drivers embrace electric travel, access to reliable ultra-rapid charging will be key to unlocking more UK adventures. Fastned is helping communities and visitors alike stay connected by expanding its network of easy-to-use, safe and comfortable charging hubs across the UK. 

Designed for everyone, extra-wide bays make parking and manoeuvring user-friendly, including for drivers using wheelchairs or mobility aids, while suspended cable systems take the heavy lifting out of ultra-rapid charging. Fastned’s iconic yellow Solar Tree canopies make its hubs instantly recognisable, while smaller hubs feature distinctive wings. Some locations also incorporate a drive-through layout, allowing cars, vans and vehicles with trailers to charge with ease while providing shelter from adverse weather, including rain and shade from the sun. 

Many Fastned hubs also offer on-site amenities to make charging stops more convenient and comfortable, with facilities such as toilets, refreshments and nearby food options available at selected locations.

For more information on Fastned UK, visit: www.fastnedcharging.com.