Summer Road Trips: Charging No Longer a Major Worry
During the big summer getaways, the question of charging on long electric car trips often comes up. But according to an Appinio x Ionity survey of 250 French EV drivers—a small sample, but still noteworthy—82.4% said they planned at least one long trip during the 2026 summer vacation. That suggests taking summer holidays by electric car has become much less of an obstacle than it was just a few years ago.
Charging Breaks: Now Part of the Fun
More than half of respondents—55.2%—said they found charging breaks more enjoyable, or at least as pleasant, as stopping for gas. People use the time to recharge themselves, too: 57.6% get a coffee or meal, 30.8% catch up with their companions, 36.4% watch videos or TV series, and 26% read a book. The once-dreaded charging pause is now a chance to relax and reset during the journey.
Why Electric Makes Sense
There are real advantages to electric driving. For 31.6% of respondents, the main benefit is saving money compared to gas or diesel cars. The environmental aspect came second, at 24%, followed by the quieter ride, noted by 17.6%. Most surveyed drivers—64.8%—already had at least one charging subscription, pointing to more organized and experienced EV travelers.
Some Issues Remain, but Improvements Are Clear
Concerns haven't disappeared completely. 44.8% worry about charging stations being out of order, 42% still mention range anxiety, and 40% are concerned about lines at busy times. Still, charging network operators have made clear progress in recent years with better maintenance and managing traffic. Every summer, support staff are out in force to help road-tripping EV drivers.
“A figure that clearly shows how going on vacation by electric car is simply no longer a problem.”
To be fair, this hasn't been a big issue since at least the summer of 2024—maybe even earlier. Even smaller-range EVs, like the Seat Mii, can handle holiday trips without major worries.
One smart tip: it's often better to leave the highway for charging, to avoid lines and possible delays. Some travelers mention that major highway networks, such as those run by Ionity in Europe, haven’t always been the most reliable.
