One-third of EV owners worry about Christmas range; some plan to drive petrol instead, poll finds

A new Auto Express poll shows that range anxiety remains a factor for a significant subset of electric-vehicle owners as Christmas travel approaches, with about one-third of EV drivers expressing concerns they may not have enough range to get home for the holidays. The survey of 2,253 drivers found that 34% of respondents own an EV, and while more than two-thirds said they planned to drive during the festive period, a notable share are considering alternatives to avoid a potentially stressful journey.

Among all respondents, the longest trip lengths varied considerably. A quarter said their longest trip would be 50 miles or less, but the majority were preparing for journeys longer than that. Almost half expected to travel over 100 miles, and 28% had routes planned that would exceed 200 miles. When isolating EV drivers, more than half anticipated a 100-mile or longer trip. One in five expected their longest journey to be between 100 and 200 miles, and a third planned at least one single trip of 200 miles or more.

A third of EV owners making 200+ mile single journeys reported major range concerns ahead of Christmas. Among those who do not feel anxious, 22% still express apprehension about 100-mile trips, rising to 33% for 200-mile journeys. In response to concerns, more than a quarter said they would take another car, opting for a petrol or diesel model for the trip. Paul Barker, editor at Auto Express, noted that while range anxiety remains present for some, the underlying issue is often a mismatch between perceptions and the recent improvements in charging networks and travel habits.

During the festive period, the RAC estimates there will be 37.5 million leisure trips in the days leading up to Christmas. With Christmas falling midweek in 2025, drivers are expected to set off early to avoid weekend congestion, the breakdown provider said. The RAC forecast anticipates the main wave of travel beginning Friday with 3.6 million trips, rising to 4.1 million on what it calls “Snarl-up Saturday.”

Longer trips by EV drivers could stress charging networks, potentially producing queues at rapid-charging points at motorway services. The experience of the 2022 festive week—when Tesla owners and others faced multi-hour queues to access chargers—remains a cautionary memory. Since then, the charging network has grown substantially, expanding from about 34,000 chargers in December 2022 to more than 86,000 today. In the last year alone, 17,356 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers have been added, particularly at motorway services and in areas with high traffic.

Experts say charging etiquette will play a major role in how smoothly long Christmas trips unfold. Barker urged drivers not to wait to charge to 100% at rapid chargers, noting that charging speeds slow substantially after around 80%. He advised topping up to roughly 80% and continuing the journey, arguing that this approach can save time and money while remaining practical for long trips if the route is planned around the next charging stop. Public charging works best when used as a quick top-up rather than a full tank.

As the festive period stretches over a long weekend, the latest projections suggest a busy travel period on UK roads. For EV owners, preparation—route awareness, charger locations, and efficient charging practices—will be essential to mitigating range anxiety and keeping travel plans on track.