The Truth About Driving an EV Long Distance (No One Tells You This)

300 miles, multiple charges, and one very real reality check – oh, and make sure you’ve got extra cash in the bank!

So, I recently did what many EV evangelists will tell you is absolutely fine, totally normal, and nothing to worry about… I drove an electric vehicle from London to Bristol and back. Now before anyone sharpens their pitchforks or plugs in their keyboards to type an angry comment, let me say this upfront: this is not an anti-EV rant.

I like EVs. I really do. Around town, they’re brilliant – smooth, quiet, effortless, and occasionally smug. But take them out of their natural habitat and onto the open motorway, and suddenly things get… interesting. Let me walk you through what actually happens.

The Promise vs The Reality

On paper, EVs are impressive. The numbers look great. Manufacturers quote range figures that make you think you can drive from London to the Moon and back with a cheeky stop at the International Space Station services. But then you get in, head onto the motorway, and reality taps you on the shoulder and says,“Yeah, about that claimed range…”

Claimed vs Real-World Range

Metric	Claimed (WLTP)	Real-World (Motorway Driving)
Range	~180 miles	~120–140 miles
Usable (80% charging)	~140 miles	~80–100 miles

But here’s something worth remembering, you’re rarely using 100% to 0%. In reality:

• You charge to about 80%
• You start panicking at 30%
• You’re sweating at 20%

So in practice? You’re working with about 80 miles between stops (in this particular scenario). Let that sink in.

Petrol vs EV: The Journey Reality

Let’s compare like-for-like.

Journey Comparison – London to Bristol (~150 miles)

Factor	Petrol Car	EV
Journey Time	~2.5 hours	~4 hours
Refuelling Stops	0	1–2
Refuel Time	5 mins	25–45 mins
Planning Required	Minimal	Essential

In a petrol car, you just go but in an EV – you’re not just driving, you’re having to plan and strategise.

Charging: The Bit Nobody Explains Properly

Ah yes, charging – the part that’s always shown in adverts with a smiling couple, a latte, and a golden sunset. Reality is… different. Charging speeds advertised, 20%-80% times boasted about.

Charging Speed: Expectation vs Reality

Scenario	Advertised	Actual Experience
Fast Charger	150kW+	~40–70kW
10–80% Charge Time	~25 mins	30–45 mins
Final 20%		Painfully slow

That last 10–20% on an EV? You could age noticeably waiting for it. And if you’re thinking, “I’ll just charge to 100% every time”… Don’t. That’s how you end up spending half your life at service stations contemplating your life choices.

Range Anxiety Is Very Real

Let’s talk about the emotional side of this. Because nobody does.

• At 50% → You’re fine
• At 30% → You’re thinking about chargers
• At 20% → The car starts nagging you
• At 15% → You’re refreshing apps like a stock trader

And then you arrive at a charger and…

• It’s occupied
• Or broken
• Or both

Welcome to EV touring.

The Hidden Cost Nobody Mentions

Here’s a fun one. Charging isn’t just about cost per kWh – it’s about how you’re billed. Look, it’s not cheap. At a public charger you’re spending about as much as you would filling up a petrol car. The idea scenario is charging at home. At a public charger you’re paying high rates and tax on top (the government really needs to slash that for EV chargers methinks).

But the bit no one tells you about, is the money they put on hold on your bank account.

Item	Typical Cost
Charge session	£20–£25
Pre-authorisation hold	£40–£45
Multiple charges in a day	£100+ temporarily locked

Yes, really. You might only use £25 worth of electricity, but the system happily locks £45 per session. Do that a few times in a day and suddenly: £100+ is frozen in your account. And it can take a couple of days to process the correct amount. So until then, you’d better make sure you have sufficient funds in your account, and maybe skip the coffee and sarnie next time you stop to charge!

The Mental Load of EV Driving

Here’s the bit that surprised me the most. Driving an EV long distance isn’t physically hard. It’s mentally tiring. You’re constantly thinking about:

• Range
• Chargers
• Speed vs efficiency
• Traffic
• Availability
• Even whether you turn the heating on or off!

It’s like being a race director strategising for an F1 team!

Where EVs Are Actually Brilliant

Now let’s be fair – because this is important – EVs are fantastic in the right environment. Best use cases for EVs include:

• City driving
• Short commutes
• Stop-start traffic
• Home charging overnight
• Local errands

In those situations, EVs are unbeatable. Smooth, quiet, cheap to run, and keeping the air around you as fresh as daisies – or rather as fresh as any urban environment can be.

But What About the Future?

And of course, don’t forget that things are improving:

• Faster chargers
• Better infrastructure
• Larger batteries
• Better batteries
• Smarter route planning

And eventually, this will all feel as normal as filling up with petrol. But right now? We’re in the transition phase. And that means a little compromise.

Quick Summary: The Real EV Road Trip Experience

Factor	Verdict
Convenience	❌ Lower than petrol
Cost	⚖️ Similar (with quirks)
Time	❌ Significantly longer
Planning	❌ Essential
Comfort	✅ Excellent
City Use	✅ Outstanding – more economical than petrol!

So… Should You Buy an EV?

Here’s the honest answer. Yes — if it suits your lifestyle If you:

• Drive mostly in the city
• Can charge at home
• Don’t regularly do long motorway trips

Then EVs are brilliant. But if you:

• Do frequent long-distance journeys
• Rely on public charging
• Value convenience above all

Then you need to go in with your eyes wide open.

Final Thoughts

Driving an EV long distance isn’t impossible. It’s not even tough. But it is different. And that difference is something the glossy brochures, slick adverts, and enthusiastic salespeople don’t always fully explain.

This isn’t the future they sell you. This is the reality right now.

Over to You

Have you done a long trip in an EV? Was it smooth sailing… or a logistical puzzle worthy of NASA? Drop your experiences in the comments!

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