28 April 2026
Ask someone who doesn’t drive electric where EV drivers charge, and you’ll get a fairly limited picture: motorway services, supermarket car parks, the odd car park. Ask EV drivers the same question, and the picture is very different, and much more interesting. So we did just that.
Here’s a stat that might surprise non-EV drivers: the UK now has more than 119,000 public chargers – nearly twice as many as fuel pumps. A recent Government survey found that 71% of UK adults didn’t know that.
Among EV drivers, the picture looks very different. Survey after survey shows high satisfaction, with around 9 out of 10 drivers saying they would recommend going electric, including both recent Government research and our own drivers’ survey. In our data, 7 out of 10 also say public charging has improved in the past year. And the numbers back that up, with an extra 13,281 chargers installed in 2025 alone!
That gap between outside perception and lived reality is something EV drivers know well. And range anxiety, that concern cited by people who haven’t yet made the switch? It rarely comes up in conversations with people who actually drive electric.
What does come up is something more interesting: where they like to stop.
The technology is fast advancing and ultra-rapid chargers can now charge a car to 80% in 20 to 30 minutes. But it’s not just the speed that’s changed, it’s the variety of locations.
A few years ago, public charging mostly meant motorway services and supermarket car parks. That’s still part of the picture, but the network has since spread into farm shops, hotel car parks, leisure centres and National Trust sites – places where drivers are already stopping as part of their journey.
While nearly 2 in 5 adults surveyed by Government didn’t know you could charge at scenic tourist destinations, EV drivers already do it regularly. Last summer, we put the spotlight on EVA England member Andy Stodart, who drove from John O’Groats to Lands’ End to show that EVs can handle long trips – and that the network is there to support it.
And just last month, the Department for Transport teamed up with motoring expert Jodie Kidd, to spotlight 26 charging locations to showcase just how far the network now reaches and encourage drivers to take an electric road trip across the country, from scenic sites to shopping spots.
We asked our members to share their favourite charging spots, and some of their nominations now appear on that map. so, before we get to what the campaign entails (and what you can win if you take part), here’s what our members told us:
Some charging locations earn their place not because they’re the fastest or the cheapest, but because they are worth going out of your way for.
All the members who nominated Land’s End praised the scenery. But one driver also made a practical case that we loved:
“A great way to park near the Land’s End entrance instead of the far end of the busy car park: charge and do touristy stuff.”
The Angel of the North is one of the most-visited public artworks in the UK, and the charging hub here is also one of four sites given special vinyl wraps as part of the DfT’s Electric Road Trip campaign.
“Just off the A1, a great spot to charge and enjoy a landmark!”
The chargers here mean the full length of Britain is now bookended by reliable, rapid charging, which is a genuinely remarkable thing. One driver nominated it specifically as:
“a very useful location for the start of a John O’Groats to Land’s End EV record attempt”
A level of ambition we fully support!
We didn’t create a farm shop category, it just formed itself. Several members independently nominated chargers at farm shops, and their enthusiasm for the combination of good food, pleasant surroundings and a reliable charge is consistent enough to constitute a genuine travel recommendation.
Nominated for being reliable and having great facilities, this is a favourite amongst EVA England members.
” Although Gloucester Services are just down the road, this is a lovely alternative, and I find the Osprey chargers really easy to use. Just hope too many people don’t go as there are only 6 chargers and I want to use one of them.”
This one also ticks all of the boxes in terms of convenience and location, which is why it also features on the Electric Road Trip map.
“Lovely location next to the River Dart. Close to the tourist attractions of the South Devon Railway and Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies Centre.”
It also won our members’ hearts thanks to the trailer and caravan spaces, a useful detail for EV drivers who tow.
“Great charging facility, with spaces for long vehicles or trailers and multiple units (16). Really great farm shop outlet onsite with locally made food. Couldn’t be a better stop over for charging.”
Two members nominated Gloucester Services on the M5, highlighting the food. We’re definitely noticing a theme…
“Wonderful farm shop and good wholesome food in their restaurant.”
Honourable mention to Teals Farm shop, located off the A303, for its fresh local produce and great coffee (and they’re dog friendly!)
Not every charge stop needs to be scenic. Sometimes you need a dependable charger on a route you drive regularly, one that just works, every time. These are the ones our members trust:
“Love the location, the setting and the use of renewables.”
The renewables point matters to a lot of EV drivers so we’re glad to see it highlighted.
“Brilliant stop when commuting back and forth to West Midlands – for work or leisure. Bit pricey and not picturesque but always reliable, well signposted, easy to use, and of course a good coffee from Costa or the Hotel Chocolat shop next door.”
A refreshingly honest comment about the trade-offs.
“Lots of chargers – a Nando’s, a McDonald’s and an M&S.”
A straightforward nomination for a charging location that is eliable and useful in equal measure.
“So close to the airport parking – a quick rest break and coffee while charging, then park up and holiday, ready to get back home fuss-free.”
Pre-holiday and post-holiday charging sorted in one stop.
“I won’t tell you my favourite charging point until there’s at least one more unit there including a Chademo connection.”
There is a member out there sitting on a hidden gem, and the key to unlocking it is a Chademo connector. Dear member, if you are reading this and are willing to let us know the location, we’ll try to bargain this with the charge point operator for you!
Several of the locations above are featured in the Department for Transport’s Electric Road Trip campaign, turning the UK’s public charging work into a nationwide road trip map.
As part of the campaign, the Department for Transport is also running a prize draw with Zapmap:
No Instagram? You can also enter by emailing your photo. Entries close 23:59 on 30 June 2026. T&Cs apply – see here for details
We want our list of driver-recommended chargers to keep growing. If you have a charge point you genuinely rate – for the scenery, the reliability, the farm shop next door, or any other reason – we want to hear about it.
Your nominations do two things. They’re also useful signposts for drivers who are new to electric and wondering whether the network is ready for them.
But they also sit alongside our ongoing work to ensure chargepoints are reliable, accessible, and fairly priced. We champion these great examples because they help us define what good looks like and inform our conversations with government and industry about what EV drivers actually want from the charging network.
The good stories and the hard conversations aren’t separate. Every time we can point to a charger that’s reliable, accessible and reasonably priced, we’re also making the case that these things should be the baseline, not the exception.
EVA England exists to represent EV drivers in the conversations that shape the charging network. When we push for better reliability standards, more accessible charge points, or fairer pricing, it’s our members that funds that work and their experience as drivers that informs it.
And because this work is driven by our members, we make sure there’s value in being part of EVA England too. So it’s worth highlighting that as a member benefit, you can receive 90 days of Zapmap Premium free, covering route planning, real-time charger status, and discounted payment across most networks. See here for more details.