Motoring expert and electric vehicle enthusiast Jodie Kidd has teamed up with the Department for Transport (DfT) to launch The Electric Road Trip, showcasing the wide range of locations in the UK where drivers can now charge their electric vehicles, from iconic landmarks to scenic rural hotspots.
The Electric Road Trip follows the launch of the ‘Get That Electric Feeling’ campaign in January by the Department for Transport. This campaign supports the Government’s mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower and accelerate the UK to net zero – helping drivers make the switch to electric ahead of the phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
New research of 2,000 adults in the UK released today shows many drivers underestimate how extensive the UK’s charging network has become, with more than 118,000 public chargers now available nationwide – nearly twice as many as fuel pumps. Over two-thirds (71%) of adults surveyed thought there were more fuel pumps than EV chargers. The poll also found that nearly 2 in 5 (39%) of adults in the survey didn’t know they could charge up at scenic tourist destinations, such as Land’s End. Furthermore, nearly a quarter (22%) thought chargers were limited to motorway services and supermarkets.
With over a third (35%) of non-EV drivers citing easier access to charging as a key factor in making the switch, The Electric Road Trip offers a direct response – demonstrating just how far the UK charging network reaches.
Filmed at its start point at the iconic Land’s End, The Electric Road Trip has been curated by Jodie Kidd to showcase the breadth of chargers across the country – from scenic sites to shopping spots.
Special chargers have been vinyl wrapped at Osprey’s Land’s End and Abergavenny locations, BE.EV’s Sale Water Park and Fastned’s Angel of the North charging hub. Additional partners including Believ, Gridserve, PodPoint, Source, RAW Charging and Total Energies are also signposted with ‘The Electric Road Trip’ stickers, showcasing the wide variety of locations where drivers can charge their EVs, helping them feel confident about driving electric anywhere in the UK.
Commenting on the campaign, Jodie Kidd said, “I’ve always loved road trips and driving an electric vehicle has made them even better. There are chargers even at the most beautiful, unexpected places – you stop, take in the view and you’re back on the road. Once you realise how vast the UK charging network is, going on an electric road trip is smooth and easy – the whole country is open for an electric adventure.”
Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said, “Industry asked us to back the EV revolution and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Just last year, we announced £600 million to rollout hundreds of thousands of chargers across the UK, building on the 118,000 already available – that’s nearly twice as many chargers as fuel pumps.
“We’re also making it more affordable than ever to make the switch, with our Electric Car Grant cutting the upfront cost of EVs by up to £3,750, helping households access savings of up to £1,400 on running costs.”
And for those still on the fence, the most persuasive voices may be closer to home than they think as around 9 out of 10 of EV drivers (88%) would recommend it. Encouragingly, half (46%) of non-EV drivers surveyed also say hearing about these positive experiences first-hand from EV drivers they know has made them more interested in switching themselves.
Click here to find out more on how to make the switch to electric vehicles.
