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Motorway services topple supermarkets as most popular EV charging location

Home / Auto News / Motorway services topple supermarkets as most popular EV charging location

New research by Zapmap, the leading charge point mapping service, has revealed that motorway services and EV charging hubs have displaced supermarket car parks as the most popular charging locations in the UK.

This year, 55% of EV drivers they regularly stop at motorway services to charge, while 47% do so at EV charging hubs – these are up from 48% and 34% respectively last year.

This reflects the increasing number of charging hubs – which Zapmap defines as groups of six or more rapid or ultra-rapid devices – that are opening across the country.

At the end of November 2022, for instance, Zapmap data shows there were 99 open-access charging hubs, while at the end of November 2023 this more than doubled to 239.

In contrast, only 36% said they use supermarket car parks to charge their vehicles, down from 50% the previous year. The drop corresponds with the removal of many free-to-use chargers at supermarkets almost a year ago.

Jade Edwards, Head of Insights at Zapmap, said the “survey gives you a good indication of just how quickly the country’s charging infrastructure is developing”.

The research also showed that although 80% of respondents have a home charger, the vast majority of EV drivers continue to use public charging networks across the country.

Of these, national charge point operators Gridserve, Pod Point and InstaVolt are the most popular – with 36%, 34% and 34%, respectively, using them in the last six months.

As such, this year sees Gridserve has overtaken Pod Point in terms of being the network used by the highest number of respondents on a regular basis – although most used does not necessarily equate to highest satisfaction, as Zapmap’s recent charging network rankings demonstrate.

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Five most common driving offences revealed

Gareth Herincx

1 day ago
Auto News

Speeding remains the most common offence on British roads with almost 200,000 people caught between January and March this year alone, according to the latest data.

A Freedom of Information request by leading temporary car insurance provider Cuvva to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) highlighted the top five mistakes drivers made in the first quarter of 2023 that resulted in penalty points being added to their licence.

Most drivers issued with penalty points for exceeding the limit on public roads (156,457) were hit with an SP30 offence code – particularly worrying because speed is one of the main factors in fatal road accidents.

After speeding, the next most common offence was driving uninsured. Despite it being a legal requirement, the data shows a staggering 10,286 drivers took to the road without cover (IN10).

If you are caught driving a car uninsured in the UK, you could be faced with a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points. If the case goes to court, you could get an unlimited fine or even lose your driving licence.

In some cases, the police have the ability to seize or even destroy the car that is being driven uninsured.

Using a mobile phone at the wheel (CU80) is one of the fastest rising driving offences (35% up on the same period last year). This reflects a crackdown after changes to the Highway Code last year made it illegal to even touch your phone while driving. That includes browsing playlists when queueing in traffic.

The fifth most-common driving offence that led to penalty points was for car owners failing to give information regarding who was driving their car when an offence was committed (MS90).

Five most common road offences

SP30: Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road – 156,457 drivers
SP50: Exceeding speed on a motorway – 38,386 drivers
IN10: Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks – 10,286 drivers
CU80: Breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone – 7,135 drivers
MS90: Failure to give information as to identity of driver etc – 5,224 drivers

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Number of speeding drivers in the countryside accelerates

Nearly a half of all motorists admit to breaking the speed limit on 60mph country roads – the highest level since 2016, according to new RAC data.

Some 48% of the 3,102 drivers questioned for the RAC Report on Motoring say they have driven faster than the limit in the past year on these roads – up from 44% in 2021 and matching the highest figure ever seen by the RAC in 2016.

Eight per cent confess to having done this frequently, while 40% say they have done it occasionally on up to half of their journeys on these roads.

In 2021 514 people were killed in a total of 11,827 collisions on 60mph non-built-up roads – a fatality rate of 4%, which is higher than on motorways.

On motorways and high-speed dual carriageways, the UK’s fastest roads, as many as 60% of drivers say they have broken the 70mph limit, either on most journeys (16%), or on up to half of their trips (43%) in the last 12 months.

This is up by five percentage points compared to 2021 when 55% admitted to having exceeded the limit. The 60% figure is the biggest percentage seen by the RAC since 2017, when 66% owned up to this. However, it is still down on the record of 70% reported in both 2015 and 2016.

The percentage who speed on urban roads has changed very little in the past 12 months with 40% of drivers saying they have exceeded the 30mph limit at least occasionally, compared to 41% in 2021, while 46% have broken the limit on 20mph roads, a figure unchanged on the year before.

The most common reason drivers give for exceeding the motorway 70mph limit is that they are travelling at the same speed as other motorists (42%).

The same justification is used by 32% of those who break 60mph limits – the most popular explanation given for exceeding the limit on these roads.

Almost half of drivers who have exceeded the speed limit in 20mph zones say this is because they think the limit is inappropriate for that particular road.

Most drivers (69%) think motorists only adhere to 20mph limits when there is enforcement or physical traffic-calming measures in place, while 65% say that signs warning of speed cameras nearby help them stick to the limit.

And, half (52%) say they would be opposed to additional 20mph limits being introduced in their local area. However, a similar proportion (48%) believe some 60mph limits on unclassified rural roads should be reduced.

“The recent increase in the proportion of drivers admitting to speeding on 60mph rural roads is extremely worrying as more people lose their lives every year in collisions on these roads than on any other,” said RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams.

Do you suffer from ‘breakdown anxiety’?

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

The cost of fixing a car is the most stressful aspect of a breakdown for a third of motorists, according to new research.

The survey for Green Flag also found that being far from home (24%) and location (23%) were the other main breakdown concerns.

The breakdown provider reckons ‘breakdown anxiety’ affects an estimated 24.5 million motorists.

Most stressful aspects of a breakdown

Aspects of a breakdown	Percentage of those who found this stressful
The cost to fix it	31 per cent
That I was far from home	24 per cent
The location of a breakdown	23 per cent
Being late or missing an important meeting or appointment	14 per cent
Lack of phone signal	12 per cent
Weather e.g., raining outside	11 per cent
People staring while driving past	10 per cent
No one helping	10 per cent
That I had no food / drink with me	9 per cent
That there were children in the car	9 per cent

Source: Green Flag 2022

Interestingly, of those who did not find a breakdown stressful, two-thirds (66%) were rescued by their breakdown provider after the incident, highlighting the peace of mind provided by breakdown cover.

“Breaking down can be a stressful situation for drivers, especially if it happens on a motorway or an isolated country road,” said Katie Lomas, Head of Green Flag Breakdown.

“It is vital drivers know what they should do in these scenarios. The most important thing is for the driver and any passengers to be safe, remain calm, and do their best to ensure their car does not cause a danger to other road users.

“Prevention is always better than cure and we know that many breakdowns are avoidable if proper care is taken before and during a trip.”

Green Flag recommends drivers follow these steps if breaking down on a motorway:

Make sure you pull to the left as soon as there’s a hint of trouble: Pull onto the hard shoulder and use this to slow to a halt. Be careful not to run over any debris and as you come to a stop, switch your hazard lights straight on
Aim for an emergency phone: These are at one-mile intervals and will connect you directly to the police who will instantly know your location
Never try to fix it yourself: Whatever the problem with your car, you should never attempt to mend it yourself at the roadside
When your car is stationary: Turn the front wheels towards the verge. If the car is shunted by another vehicle this will ensure it moves away from the carriageway rather than into it. If it’s dark or visibility is poor, turn your side lights on
Get everyone out of the car: Leave the car through the left-hand doors and move away from the vehicle. If you have children with you make sure they’re being looked after by a responsible adult away from the roadside – potentially up the verge where possible.
Don’t display your red warning triangle: With fast moving traffic the risks far outweigh the benefits of doing this
Call for help: If you’re not near an emergency phone and you’ve got a mobile signal, ring either your breakdown provider or the police
Wait near your car for assistance: Make sure your vehicle’s locked and you’re standing safely away from any moving traffic

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10 alternative EV charging locations off the motorway

It’s the Great British Holiday season and millions of us will be taking to the roads for staycations and days out.

Motorway service stations are an obvious choice for drivers of electric vehicles looking for places to recharge on their journey, but car maker Lexus has researched some interesting alternative locations.

The EV charging locations suggested by Lexus are all a few miles from a motorway junction and offer more than a place to plug-in your car – providing a view, an activity, or a cafe, for a stop that is an enjoyable experience, rather than a necessary chore.

A30

Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, Lifton, near Launceston, four minutes from the A30 exit signposted Tavistock/B3362/A384

Anyone who has driven to Cornwall is likely to have encountered the A30, running through the heart of Devon and Cornwall, all the way to Land’s End.

Strawberry Fields is a family-run, award-winning Devon farm shop and restaurant, which includes a butchery selling home-produced meat, an artisan bakery, a jam room, and a well-stocked deli. During the summer months the popular ‘Pick Your Own’ strawberry fields are open.

This popular stop-off has two electric charge points.

Stockwood Discovery Centre near Luton, one mile from junction 10

Stockwood Discovery Centre features lots of open space for children to let off steam and a range of themed landscapes including an Elizabethan knot garden, a Dig for Victory planting, 17^th century Italian and Dutch gardens, and a Victorian garden. There is also a lovely café, serving sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks, a play area and a shop selling a range of gifts and artisan food products. If you have enough time, go and see the largest carriage collection in Europe, which is also housed here.

The centre is free to enter and is open from 11am to 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday during the summer and 11am to 4pm during the winter.

There are two EV chargers with four connectors in the car park.

Clifton Park Museum, Rotherham, Yorkshire: four miles from junction 33 or 34

For adults, Clifton Park has beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding a grade II listed Georgian house containing a museum, which will provide an interesting diversion while the car is charging. For those travelling with younger children, you might want to make a day of it, to take full advantage of the fun park, with its crazy golf, miniature funfair, water rides, bumper cars, and arcade games.

Clifton Park Museum is open every day except Monday (check the website for opening times).

There are two 22kW EV chargers with three connectors in the car park.

M11
Wimpole Estate, near Cambridge, eight miles from junction 12

This National Trust-owned estate is an all-year-round place to visit, reflecting the changing seasons, with something to captivate and inspire all visitors, including parkland and the Old Rectory Restaurant, as well as Wimpole Hall house itself. Parking is included within cost of entry to the Estate.

There are six devices with 12 connectors available.

M25
RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, three miles from junction 10

This is one of the UK’s most visited and best-loved gardens. Wisley was given to the RHS in 1903 and is now a hub of horticultural excellence with some of the largest plant collections in the world. However, if you don’t have much time, you can enter the Wisley garden centre for free, to browse the collection of indoor and outdoor plants, gardening tools, gifts and homewares, or visit the Coffee Shop at the entrance.

There are eight standard 7.2 KWH 32 Amp sockets available for re-charging

Cotton Lake and Wharf pub, one mile from junction 1

Cotton Lake is a small fishing lake which you can wander around, have a picnic, or visit the Wharf pub which has a carvery and bar where customers can enjoy views over the lake. There are two pay-as-you-go rapid charging points, suitable for all electric cars.

M3
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu nine miles from junction 3

The Beaulieu Motoring Museum houses a world-famous collection featuring 285 vehicles. You can see the cars that broke the land speed record, be star struck by Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and re-live some favourite TV moments in the World of Top Gear. There’s also a new adventure play area, Little Beaulieu.

There’s an electric charge point that has 3 devices and 6 connectors.

M4
Tredegar House, National Trust, two miles from Junction 28

Tredegar House is one of the architectural wonders of Wales and one of the most significant late 17^th century houses in the British Isles. Situated in 90 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland, this delightful red brick house provides an ideal setting for a stroll. It has a play area (with ice cream kiosk in peak months) and a cafe.

Tredegar offers a ‘pay and display’ car park with a 7.2KW EV charging point with connection mode three.

M40
British Motor Museum Warwick: 1.3 miles from exit 12

The British Motor Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of historic British cars, with more than 400 on display. It offers free tours and interactive family activities.

There are four charging points at the conference entrance, located at the back of the museum building, and six charging points to the rear of the museum’s visitor car park. Two of these have a 22kW charging socket, the others have 7kW charging sockets. You can charge your electric vehicle using the Shell Recharge app, or ad hoc using a QR code.

Bicester Village, three miles from junction 9

Bicester Village is home to more than 160 outlet boutiques from leading British and international fashion and lifestyle brands, all offering year-round savings on recommended retail prices. You can also dine at various restaurants on outdoor terraces, with menus offering a wide variety of choices from salmon poke bowls, to cream teas, and sushi.

There is free parking at Bicester village and there are seven charging devices with 14 connectors, providing a top-up service only.

M5
Clevedon Seafront & Pier – 1.9 miles (6 minutes) from junction 20

The seaside town of Clevedon is a quick hop from the M5. It’s low craggy coastline includes many fine shingle beaches and a lovely west facing cliff-top promenade – ideal for a stroll to stretch your legs, or to sit and relax and take in the sea air and spectacular views across to the Welsh coast.

There is parking at Clevedon Hall, which has four charging devices and four connectors available. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the Victorian pier.

M56
Quarry Bank | National Trust, National Trust: 1.5 miles from junction 7

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate is one of Britain’s greatest industrial heritage sites, home to a complete industrial community. Depending on how much time you can spare, you can explore the domestic life of the mill-owning Greg family in their home, Quarry Bank House, or walk to Styal village to see how the mill workers lived, or grab some food at the restaurant, café or mill shop.

Entry to this attraction is free to National Trust members; charges apply to non-members. The car park is open from 8am to 8pm, and parking is included with entry to Quarry Bank.

There are two devices with three connectors for EV charging.

M6
Rheged Centre two miles from junction 40

If you’re travelling to the west of Scotland, consider charging at the Rheged Centre, which is an ideal meeting place at the gateway to the Lake District, offering a gallery, café, shopping, and a cinema. Outside there is a large play structure designed to resemble a Roman fort with tunnels, slides, and ramparts to explore.

There are two charging devices with five connectors available in the car park, which is open daily from 8am to 8.30pm.

Helpful EV apps

Drivers who own a Lexus EV or PHEV can use the Lexus Link app on their phones. It has a map function that shows every charger covered and you can zoom in on locations to find charging stations nearby, or along the route, or can type them into the search box: Lexus charging network

The app can also be used to check the status of progress of battery re-charging, and to pre-set the cabin temperature, or to defrost the windscreen in winter. It also has some handy contact details, such as roadside assistance.