Electric vehicles (EVs) now account for around one in five new cars sold in the UK. With over 2 million EVs already on our roads, more motorists than ever are planning summer road trips and staycations with charging in mind.
To support this boom, the UK's public EV charging network has expanded rapidly, quadrupling from 20,000 devices in 2021 to over 90,000 in 2026. However, as 83% of these chargers are in urban areas, city drivers could find it harder to find charging points as they head out towards rural or coastal holiday spots on their summer holidays.
In fact, our latest research reveals that availability of charging points is the biggest concern for 31% of drivers when taking a long trip. Furthermore, with 50% of public chargers across the country rated at standard speeds (3kW to 8kW), a misjudged stop can easily add hours onto a long journey.
To help motorists plan their summer travels, we've analysed the UK's most EV-friendly seaside towns and national parks, ranking destinations based on charging infrastructure, EV-friendly accommodation, and access to public charging points.
We've also surveyed both drivers to uncover their attitudes towards staycations, from journey planning habits to the charging concerns that influence where they travel.
Alongside the findings, Amy Rootham, our car insurance expert, shares practical advice on choosing accommodation, planning charging stops, and making the most of your EV's range on holiday.
The UK’s most EV-friendly seaside towns
For many families, nothing beats the classic British summer holiday by the sea. However, packing up the car and heading to the coast could cause hesitation for EV owners, especially if they are unsure about the local charging options.
Our survey found that almost half (48%) of EV drivers have decided against a UK holiday because of concerns about charging their vehicle, highlighting the importance of reliable infrastructure when planning a staycation.
To help travellers choose the most stress-free coastal escape this summer, we’ve ranked the UK's most EV-friendly seaside destinations. Our index scores seaside towns out of 100 based on public charger availability and speeds, the growth of infrastructure across the wider local authority, and the number of holiday lets and campsites with private EV charging facilities.
The Top 10 Seaside Towns for EV Drivers
Rank | Seaside Town | Score out of 100 |
1 | Worthing | 61 |
2 | Bournemouth | 53 |
3 | Clacton-on-Sea | 51 |
4 | Southport | 50 |
5 | Ramsgate | 46 |
6 | Poole | 45 |
7 | Torquay | 45 |
8 | Bognor Regis | 44 |
9 | Lytham St Anne's | 42 |
10 | Paignton | 40 |
Worthing: 61/100 - While none of Worthing’s local campsites have chargers, and only 8% of holiday lets do (4 out of 53), Worthing's excellent public charger network means this shouldn't stop EV owners from visiting. The town boasts 69 public charging points within 5 miles of the centre, including 36 fast and 23 rapid chargers.
Furthermore, a significant 2,000% increase in public chargers across the wider local authority since 2021 (growing from 13 to 273) means you can plan a day trip to nearby sights, like High Salvington Windmill or Cissbury Ring, more easily.
Bournemouth: 53/100 - Bournemouth’s holiday lets sit above the studies average, with 7% offering EV plugs (42 out of 636), while 3 of the town’s local campsites are also equipped with chargers. The town has a brilliant public charging network of 138 public plugs, including 71 fast and 59 rapid chargers.
Thanks to a 510% surge in EV infrastructure across wider Bournemouth, holidaymakers can comfortably tour regional landmarks like the historic ruins of Christchurch Priory or the Hengistbury Head nature reserve.
Clacton-on-Sea: 51/100 - While only 2% of holiday lets in Clacton-on-Sea have EV chargers (3 out of 140), 2 of the town’s 9 local campsites (22%) offer EV chargers. The town’s impressive public charging network has 40 plugs, split between 18 fast, 9 rapid, and 13 ultra-rapid devices capable of 150 kW+ charging speeds.
Public plugs in the wider Tendring local authority have increased by 877% since 2021 (from 13 to 127), making it easy to plan day trips to nearby coastal sights like the historic Napoleonic Martello Towers at Jaywick Sands.
Southport: 50/100 - While only 6% of holiday lets in Southport offer EV facilities (8 out of 143), 2 of the town’s 6 campsites are fully equipped with EV chargers. The town itself has 29 public charging points, including 11 fast and 18 rapid plugs.
Wider charging infrastructure across the Sefton local authority has also seen a major 430% boost since 2021, climbing from 30 to 159 devices, giving visitors peace of mind when driving out to the stunning Formby Pinewoods or the famous Another Place statues at Crosby beach.
Ramsgate: 46/100 - While none of Ramsgate’s campsites offers EV charging, and only 5% of holiday lets do (6 out of 111), Ramsgate’s exceptionally fast public charging network makes up for this. The town boasts 56 public plugs, of which there are 19 fast, 19 rapid, and 18 ultra-rapid devices.
A wider 368% rise in public chargers in Thanet since 2021 (from 25 to 117), means that EV owners can freely explore nearby maritime landmarks, from the historic Ramsgate Tunnels to the iconic coastal cliffs of Margate and Broadstairs.
The UK’s most EV-friendly national parks
For many, a summer getaway means escaping for long hikes and remote adventures with family and friends. However, driving an electric vehicle into the UK's wilderness can often trigger charging anxiety. Our survey revealed that one in three (31%) drivers say finding a charging point is their biggest concern when taking a long journey, demonstrating that reliable infrastructure is so important when travelling to rural destinations.
To help EV drivers plan their next rural escape with confidence, we’ve ranked the UK's most EV-friendly national parks. Our index scores each park out of 100 based on the number and speed of public chargers within 10 miles of the parks, the growth of infrastructure in the wider local authority, and the availability of holiday let properties with private EV charging.
The UK’s Most EV-Friendly National Parks
Rank | National Park | Score out of 100 |
1 | Dartmoor | 65 |
2 | New Forest | 45 |
3 | South Downs | 42 |
4 | Cairngorms | 38 |
5 | North York Moors | 33 |
6 | Exmoor | 33 |
7 | The Broads | 33 |
8 | Pembrokeshire Coast | 31 |
9 | Lake District | 29 |
10 | Loch Lomond & Trossachs | 25 |
While a standard holiday cottage with a plug remains a rarity in rural areas, the rapid growth of the public charging network is helping to bridge the gap. Here is how the top five destinations performed in our index:
Dartmoor: 65/100 - 7% of Dartmoor’s local holiday lets offer dedicated chargers (74 out of 996), sitting nicely above the study’s average. The national park itself houses 18 public plugs, which include 1 slow, 10 fast, 3 rapid, and 4 ultra-rapid devices.
Furthermore, a 538% surge in wider local authority chargers since 2021 (growing from 24 to 153) means you can easily plan a day trip out to nearby historic spots like Castle Drogo or Buckfast Abbey with little range anxiety.
New Forest: 45/100 - The New Forest’s holiday lets also outperform the study’s average, as 7% accommodate EV charging (95 out of 1,453). The national park itself offers 105 public plugs, featuring 68 fast and 9 rapid chargers.
Total public chargers in the wider local authority have also risen by 254% since 2021, climbing from 57 to 202 in 2026. This allows holidaymakers to easily explore coastal landmarks just outside the park limits, like Henry VIII's historic Hurst Castle or the beaches at Lepe.
South Downs: 42/100 - While destination charging at holiday lets sits at 4% (92 out of 2,355), South Downs boasts the highest number of total public chargers in our top five. The park has 115 public plugs within its boundaries, including 91 fast, 14 rapid, and 6 ultra-rapid options.
Because the wider local charging infrastructure has seen a 337% boost (scaling from 256 to 1,118 devices), drivers should feel comfortable touring surrounding landmarks like the dramatic Seven Sisters cliffs or Arundel Castle.
Cairngorms: 38/100 - The Cairngorms offers the highest percentage of EV-friendly holiday lets in our top five at 8% (32 out of 377). Meanwhile, the park's visitors also have access to 85 public plugs, split between 51 fast and 34 rapid devices.
The surrounding regional charging network has also expanded by 337% since 2021, growing from 65 to 284. This extensive coverage gives drivers the freedom to travel to legendary Highland sights just beyond the central peaks, such as the royal Balmoral Estate or the Highland Folk Museum.
North York Moors: 33/100 - While only 3% of local holiday lets (79 out of 2,915) offer plug-in facilities, the North York Moors remains a highly accessible destination for EV drivers. Within the park boundaries, you will find 28 public plugs, all of which are fast chargers.
Meanwhile, the surrounding region has experienced a considerable 1,942% rise in infrastructure since 2021, with wider local authority chargers growing from 31 to 633. With so many charging points nearby, you can comfortably map out trips to beautiful spots, including the ruins of Whitby Abbey or the coastal paths of Robin Hood's Bay.
UK Driver Attitudes Towards UK Staycations
Public charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly; however, are all drivers' confidence levels growing in correlation with this? We surveyed people across the UK to uncover their habits, anxieties, and the realities of planning a getaway with an EV.
1 in 4 drivers plan charging well before setting off
Although some EV owners are happy to hit the road without a second thought, other drivers still build charging into their journey plans before they set off.
24% of drivers say they would always check charging availability before travelling, regardless of distance
18% wait until a journey reaches 25-49 miles before planning where to charge
Just over one in 10 (10%) only begin checking charging availability for trips of 100-149 miles
Meanwhile, 29% say they would never check charging availability before travelling
Charging concerns are still influencing staycation plans
Despite improvements to the UK’s charging network, concerns around charging continue to affect where many drivers choose to travel.
Almost half (48%) of EV drivers have decided against taking a UK holiday because of charging concerns
This includes 19% who say they've done so on multiple occasions
29% say they've avoided a UK holiday destination at least once because they weren't confident about charging availability
These findings suggest that charging provision is becoming an increasingly important consideration when choosing where to stay.
Finding a charger remains drivers' biggest concern
When asked what would be their biggest concern on a longer EV journey, finding a charging point topped the list:
31% said finding a charging point would be their biggest concern
16% said they had no concerns about travelling longer distances in an EV
13% cited charging time as their biggest worry
13% were most concerned about battery range
11% said the cost of charging was their biggest concern
9% were most concerned about planning charging stops
7% cited broken or faulty chargers as their biggest concern
Although our research shows Britain’s charging network is expanding, these findings suggest that confidence is still catching up, with many drivers wanting reassurance that charging will be convenient and readily available before setting off.
Planning A Staycation in an EV
Planning a successful EV staycation is much easier with the right preparation and research. Important factors to consider include choosing an EV-ready destination, understanding charging speeds and knowing how to protect your battery range if you get caught short on a long journey.
Check public charging availability before deciding on the destination: It’s helpful to research public charger availability before deciding on a remote or seaside destination.
Filter for ‘EV charging station’ when booking accommodation: If you are booking on a comparison site, filter your search results to 'EV charging station' to browse accommodation with charging facilities.
Check you’re covered before setting off: For ultimate peace of mind, check your policy or breakdown add-on includes out-of-charge recovery to transport you to the nearest working plug if you run out of battery on the road.
Understand your charger speeds and times: Know your kilowatts (kW) to budget your time correctly. To fully charge a car, slow plugs (under 7kW) usually take overnight, fast devices (7kW to 49kW) can take a few hours, while rapid (50kW to 149kW) and ultra-rapid (150kW+) hubs are built for quick route stops, boosting your battery up to 80% in under an hour.
Map out your en-route charging stops before you set off: Don’t wait for a low-battery light to find a station. Because only 9% of the UK’s public chargers sit at "enroute" motorway services, pre-planning your motorway pitstops is essential.
Use dedicated EV apps: Download multi-network platforms like Zapmap or WattsUp before you leave. These give you real-time visibility on live charger statuses, costs and connector compatibility.
Maximise your battery and have an emergency plan: Start any long road trip with 100% charge. If your range drops dangerously low in a remote area, immediately turn off the air conditioning, heating, and radio, and slow down your speed to safely reach a working plug.
Methodology and sources
Compare the Market analysed the 30 largest seaside towns by population (using the Office for National Statistics' Coastal Towns in England and Wales dataset) alongside all 15 National Parks to identify the UK's most EV-friendly staycation destinations. Each destination was assessed using three key factors:
Public EV charging infrastructure: Current charging data was sourced from Open Charge Map, analysing the number of public charging plugs and the mix of slow, fast, rapid and ultra-rapid chargers. For seaside towns, chargers within a five-mile radius of the town centre were included.
Charging infrastructure growth: Historic government data was used to calculate how much public charging infrastructure has grown since 2021 to 2026.
EV-friendly accommodation: Accommodation data from Booking.com, Pitchup.com and Hoseasons was used to assess the availability of places to stay offering EV charging facilities.
Each destination received a score across all three categories, which were combined to produce an overall EV Staycation Score and final ranking. Sources
GOV.UK: Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure statistics: January 2026
A survey of 399 UK electric vehicle (EV) drivers conducted by Censuswide between 3rd to 9th July 2026.
A nationally representative survey of 3,000 UK adults conducted by Censuswide between 3rd to 9th July 2026.
FAQs
How can I find EV charging points near my holiday destination?
Apps such as Zapmap can help you find nearby charging points, check charger availability and identify different charging speeds once arriving at your destination.
How can I find EV-friendly holiday accommodation?
Many booking websites allow travellers to filter properties by EV charging facilities. Checking accommodation and nearby public charging infrastructure before booking can help make journeys easier.
Do I need special car insurance for an EV staycation?
No, electric cars can be insured under a standard car insurance policy. However, some insurers may offer EV-specific features, such as cover for charging cables, battery damage, or access to specialist repair networks.
Looking for something else?
With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
What our expert says...
“For many EV drivers, staycations are becoming far easier to plan than they were a few years ago. Charging infrastructure has expanded significantly over the last few years which means destinations that may once have felt out of reach are now much more accessible, giving motorists more confidence to explore further afield.
That said, charging still isn't something you can take for granted when you arrive. Our research found that just 4% of holiday lets in seaside towns offer EV charging, while campsites are twice as likely to provide chargers (8%), so it's important to check what facilities are available before booking and familiarising yourself with nearby public charging options.
Ultimately, a small amount of preparation can go a long way. Thinking about where you'll need to charge along the way, filtering for EV-friendly accommodation when booking and planning charging stops in advance can help make for an overall smoother holiday trip”