48% of UK EV drivers have avoided holiday destinations over charging availability fears

Nearly half (48%) of electric vehicle drivers in the UK have skipped domestic holiday destinations because of concerns about charging availability, according to research by Compare the Market. One in four drivers (24%) always check charging availability before setting off, and 31% cite availability as their biggest concern when travelling in an EV. While public charging has grown by an average of 552% in seaside towns and 640% in National Parks since 2021, only 4% of holiday lets in leading coastal destinations offer dedicated EV charging, though campsites are twice as likely (8%) to provide on-site facilities.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a persistent infrastructure gap in tourist areas that may constrain EV adoption and signal procurement opportunities for hospitality operators and local authorities seeking to attract electric vehicle drivers. The disparity between rapid network growth and patchy destination charging suggests targeted investment in holiday accommodation and leisure sites could unlock latent demand.