Travelling with an electric car in Europe: expert tips for planning your trip

It’s also useful to try out different charging payment options, such as the car manufacturer's charging service that’s integrated into the car app, allowing you to find charging points and pay for the charge. Most car manufacturers have contracts with major network operators – make sure you know all your options before you embark on a long journey.

When choosing a charging station, you'll notice that they are classified by maximum charging power in kilowatts (kW) and three types of chargers: slow (AC), fast, and superfast (DC). Fast chargers are the most common public chargers and can get your car’s battery from 10% to 80% in about an hour. Find out more about the different charging options for EVs in this video.

Matīss continues: "If your EV can cover at least 400 km in the summer, that's enough because you and your family will need rest and bathroom stops anyway. When you stop for a coffee, lunch, or a walk at a sightseeing attraction, you can use a fast or super-fast charging station and charge the battery in half an hour. Super-power chargers, such as 350 kW chargers, are becoming more common on the road, allowing you to charge quickly. You can make such stops even when the battery is not yet that low, making the charging stops work around your convenience and schedule."

The in-car system recognizes locations with suitable chargers and can select those that match the payment options from your car’s manufacturer.
The map shows all charging points, which can be filtered by station type and charging speed.

All charging points also offer payment through the charging provider app, which is often cheaper but more complicated, especially abroad.

Note that the charging stations available at accommodations usually offer slow charging, but you can charge your car overnight up to a sufficient level to continue your journey.

If your hotel or guesthouse doesn't have a charging point, plan a charging stop in the evening before you go to your accommodation. Matīss recommends combining charging with a visit to the shops or an evening stroll at a tourist attraction.

Although these differences won't be significant, consider them if you plan to travel to colder destinations. When travelling in freezing weather, make sure you plan more frequent or longer stops to charge your car.

Matīss also points out the benefits of driving an EV in winter: "In Norway's northern region, Finnmark, electric cars are a popular choice due to their reliability in cold weather. Unlike traditional combustion engines, particularly diesel, there's no concern about struggling to start the car in freezing temperatures. Moreover, the convenience of remotely activating the heating system while still at home adds an extra layer of comfort. Waking up to a warm car with defrosted windows is a delightful perk of driving electric in the chilly mornings."

• The cost of travelling by electric car is likely to be lower than that of an internal combustion engine car.
• You can drive safely in low-emission zones, which include the old towns and famous tourist attractions of many European cities.
• An electric car is family-friendly as it will be quieter and more pleasant to drive, reducing the risk of nausea in young children. Children can also plug the electric car into the charger themselves (under parental supervision) – it's safe, and hands won’t smell of fuel.
• Electric cars give you great power, more comfort, and peace of mind that your journey is not polluting the environment.