How electric car drivers can avoid charging queues when driving home for Christmas
More than 1.7 million electric vehicles will hit UK roads this Christmas, with over half of their drivers planning journeys of 100 miles or more. Concerns about range and charging availability remain, as a third of EV owners admit to worrying about their trips during the festive season.
The UK’s public charging network has expanded rapidly in the past year. Between October 2024 and 2025, the number of chargers grew by 23%, reaching over 86,000 nationwide. Of these, 17,356 are rapid or ultra-rapid units, with the fastest growth seen outside London.
The busiest times for rapid charging at service stations will likely fall between 11am and 1pm. Demand drops sharply before 8am and after 6pm, suggesting drivers prefer to charge during midday stops. Meanwhile, the M25, M6, and A303 near Stonehenge are expected to face the worst traffic congestion over the holidays. For those needing a quick charge, the Winchester Superhub—opened in 2025—offers one of the fastest solutions. As the UK’s largest EV charging forecourt, it can power a car to 80% in just 20 minutes. The site runs entirely on renewable energy, accepts contactless payments, and operates 24/7. Among charging networks, Tesla’s Supercharger remains the highest-rated large provider in the UK, followed by MFG EV Power. The surge in EV adoption mirrors trends in Germany, where nearly 600,000 new battery-electric cars are projected for 2025—a 41% increase from 2024. This growth has already led to longer charging queues in Germany, a pattern that could emerge in the UK as holiday travel peaks.
With record numbers of EVs on the road, the UK’s charging infrastructure faces its first major Christmas test. The expansion of rapid chargers and new facilities like the Winchester Superhub aims to ease pressure, but peak demand periods may still see delays. Drivers are advised to plan stops outside the busiest hours to avoid congestion at key locations.
