The holidays often bring the same questions for EV drivers or the EV-curious. Will the cold reduce my range? Will the chargers be busy? What if I get stuck somewhere between family visits and a long stretch of motorway?
The good news is that with a little preparation, an EV road trip during the festive season can be smooth, inexpensive and surprisingly enjoyable. First tip: if your EV offers timed pre-heating, make the most of it. Setting your car to warm up before you leave can reduce energy use on the road and prepare the battery for charging later.
Here is how to make your festive journey as simple as possible.
Know when to charge and when not to
In winter, the most important rule is to avoid running the battery too low. Batteries prefer moderate charge levels when temperatures drop. Most EV drivers find that:
Charging between 20% and 60% is quickest
Topping up more often keeps waiting times shorter
Slower winter charging is usually due to a cold battery, not a slow charger
Avoid common festive pitfalls
Charger demand often rises during the holiday period, especially at motorway service areas.
To avoid delays:
Charge before joining the motorway
Stop for a top-up when you reach 40% to 50% rather than waiting for a low battery warning
Choose charge points near supermarkets, retail parks or hotels, which are often quieter
Save an alternative charger location in Zapmap in case your first choice is busy
A little flexibility can save you from long queues, so you can focus on more enjoyable parts of the trip.
Choose destinations that work well for EVs
Many winter holiday spots now advertise their EV friendliness. This makes planning trips much easier, whether you are heading to a cottage in the countryside or a hotel near a town centre.
Travel sites such as Airbnb and Booking allow you to filter by EV charger, and route planners like Zapmap help avoid cold-weather surprises.
Plan your route with care
For longer journeys during the festive period, planning becomes essential. Whether you are driving from London to Edinburgh or visiting several relatives in one trip, mapping out your stops ahead of time creates a calmer journey.
Use EV planning tools or built-in navigation to:
Locate fast chargers along your route
Avoid busy locations
Find chargers near food and rest areas
Match your charging stops with meal breaks
When your charge stop fits naturally into your journey, the experience feels much more relaxed.
Winter charging tips for smoother driving
Cold weather does reduce range slightly. Modern EVs usually lose around 10% depending on the model. With good preparation, this shouldn't cause any problems.
For best winter performance:
Drive smoothly and avoid hard acceleration
Use heated seats when possible to save energy
Allow the car time to warm the battery before driving
Keep tyres properly inflated
Clear frost or snow to reduce drag
As EVs are futureproofed, your EV is designed to handle winter conditions far better than most people expect...
A festive reminder for new EV travellers
Most EV journeys, even during the holidays, finish with less stress and lower running costs than expected.
No last-minute detours. No stressful queues. No range panic on Christmas morning.