EV road tripping across the world will soon get easier, greener and more luxurious

Attempting long trips by electric vehicle is still seen as somewhat risky and adventurous, but that should soon change once a wide range of initiatives around the world are put into place.

Governments and car makers are finally addressing the shortfalls that have prevented many drivers from adopting electricity, so let’s take a look at what’s going on around the globe to make EV road tripping more practical and enjoyable.

UK

New Public Charge Point Regulations require operators to have 99 per cent reliability, advertise their prices clearly and accept contactless payments. In addition every charging firm will need to offer a 24-hour helpline and provide live information on charger availability. It won’t be an overnight change, however, with operators being given a year to comply.

Some, however, are already marching forward with improvements, such as Gridserve which has just opened a 12-charger Electric Super Hub on the A30 in Cornwall, powered by a solar canopy to reduce reliance on the grid. Plans are also in place to build a neighbouring solar farm which could deliver up to four million zero carbon miles a year.

Europe

The European Union has just announced new laws that mean high-power EV chargers will have to be installed every 60km (38 miles) on the main roads of Europe by 2025. These chargers will have to provide at least 150kW of oomph, while every 100km (62 miles), and every 60km on motorways there will have to be 350kW units.

Drivers of Porsche’s electric cars will be able to charge in luxury at the company’s new roadside lounges in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The first one has just opened in Bingen am Rhein, providing six 300kW chargers and four 22kW devices, along with a first-class airline style lounge where drivers can relax or work while they wait for the cars to charge on renwable energy.

USA

Everything is bigger in the United States so it’s no surprise that the level of EV ambition is even higher. Seven of the world’s top car brands (BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis) have joined forces and pledged to build a whopping 30,000 chargers across North America. Every charger will be powered by renewables and situated in convenient locations providing canopies to protect users from the elements, along with food, shops and toilets. The network will be “a premier experience designed to showcase the future of charging” and would double the number of DC fast chargers currently available in the USA. The first stations are scheduled to open in 2024.

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