To determine just that, new by Compare the Market has compiled a list of the most popular road trips around the world, by analyzing Instagram posts to reveal which of them are the most EV-friendly routes. This was calculated based on EV charger availability and the average number of charges needed to complete each trip.
According to the findings, the 12 most EV friendly road trips across the globe are as follows:
Rank | Country | Road trip | No. of Instagram posts | Km | Miles | No. of EV chargers available | No. of charges needed* |
1 | Italy | Amalfi Coast | 3,201,064 | 64 | 40 | 99 | 0.11 |
2 | USA | Big Sur | 1,442,376 | 139 | 87 | 78 | 0.23 |
3 | Romania | Transfagarasan | 144,522 | 170 | 106 | 38 | 0.28 |
4 | Australia | The Great Ocean Road | 1,376,224 | 237 | 147 | 69 | 0.39 |
5 | England | The Atlantic Highway | 3,314 | 288 | 179 | 298 | 0.48 |
6 | Norway | The Atlantic Road | 25,523 | 308 | 191 | 84 | 0.51 |
7 | Germany | The Romantic Road | 33,303 | 338 | 210 | 160 | 0.56 |
8 | Scotland | NC500 | 349,456 | 708 | 440 | 97 | 1.18 |
9 | South Africa | Route 62 | 39,925 | 790 | 491 | 27 | 1.31 |
10 | USA | Route 66 | 1,958,773 | 3,415 | 2,122 | 89 | 5.67 |
11 | Argentina | Ruta 40 | 194,537 | 4,912 | 3,052 | 51 | 8.16 |
*Based on the average range of Tesla Model 3, the bestselling EV model for 2021 (374 miles)
Taking the top spot as the most EV-friendly route is the Amalfi Coast road trip in South Italy. Known for its blue waters and picturesque steep hill cliffs with pretty pastel houses, it comes as no surprise that #amalficoast has amassed more than three million Instagram posts. The scenic journey which strings together the peninsula’s seaside towns with glamourous beaches is the most EV-friendly route with almost 100 available EV chargers along the way. Travelers who want to take this route will need less than one charge to complete the entire trip.
Coming in second place is the popular strip of California highway on the coast, Big Sur! With almost 1.5 million Instagram posts Big Sur is an iconic piece of the Californian coast with beautiful ocean views along with rocky cliffs, quiet beaches, tons of hikes, and marine life. With 78 chargers along the 87 miles route, Big Sur is an ideal option for EV drivers who want to explore California with their car.
Across the pond and in fourth place, is the 147-miles coastal route of Great Ocean Road in Australia known for its dramatic cliffs, windswept beaches, lush rainforests, and the almighty views over the Pacific Ocean. What’s more, the Great Ocean Road is a great option for an EV road trip as it can be completed with less than one full charge, given the high number of EV charger availability across the route.
Lesser-known routes in European countries such as the Transfagarasan route in Romania which appears in third place and the Atlantic Highway in England which completes the top five make for superb alternatives for anyone who’s looking for a sustainable way of traveling. With less than one full charge needed to complete both trips, travelers can enjoy each country’s unique scenery and avoid range anxiety!
Ruta 40 in Argentina is the least EV-friendly road trip on the list with almost 10 charges needed to complete the route. In fact, Ruta 40 is the longest road trip on the list, stretching over 3,052 miles. The other US road trip on the list that spans across eight states is the iconic Route 66. With 89 chargers available across more than two thousand miles, travelers would need to charge their EV almost six times to complete this route.
Commenting on the research, Stephen Zeller, General Manager of General Insurance at Compare the Market, says: “Since the 1960s, road trips have been a popular way of traveling and exploring near and far in an affordable way. As borders begin to reopen, taking a road trip in the comfort of our car may be preferable to traveling internationally by public transport.
“Travelling long distance with an electric vehicle can be deemed challenging due to the availability of charging stations and may result in range anxiety. Thanks to improved EV batteries and planning, you can now go further than ever before. Not only that, but it’s better for your wallet and more environmentally friendly. If you’re thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle it’s also important to consider the costs of charging it when weighing up your options as this can vary depending on the energy tariff in your location.”
Tags: Compare the Market
