These are the good, bad and ugly motorways if you drive an EV, according to The Solar Co.

The Good: The research found that the M42 offers the highest proportion of ultra-rapid charging, with 98 per cent of its motorway charging points capable of delivering speeds of 150kW or more. The M1 and M4 follow closely, with 93 per cent of their charging points meeting the 150kW+ threshold, while the M25 and M62 both record 90 per cent.

The Bad: Only 67 per cent of the M27’s charging points offer speeds of 150kW or more. The M6 follows at 80 per cent, while the M5 and M40 both record 89 per cent.

The Ugly: The M60 has no conventional motorway service area, so it has no on-route charging points to assess. Meanwhile, the M5, used by an estimated 5,186 EVs daily across the bank holiday weekend, has the longest 150kW+ charging blind spot, with southbound drivers facing an 87-mile gap between Michaelwood Services and Exeter. The M4, estimated to be used by 5,218 EVs each day, has the second-longest gap, at 61.1 miles between Magor and Membury services. In comparison, the M62 and M40 offer the shortest gaps between ultra-rapid charging locations, at 23.9 and 24 miles.

George Penny, EV charging expert and director at The Solar Co, advises, “Public charging demand can peak around 11am to 1pm, so charging earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon could help you avoid the lunchtime rush.”

He also advises that locating off-motorway service stations and charging points can help, with a short detour often providing easier access.

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