Ever since the first automobiles hit the streets, drivers have taken them on extended journeys, enjoying the unplanned adventures and shared experiences of the highway. However, spending hours behind the wheel reveals the clear drawbacks of conventional vehicles. Environmentally aware travelers point out that these cars need gasoline as fuel and, depending on the model, emit different amounts of harmful pollutants.
Electric vehicles may offer guilt-free travel © Lonely Planet
That led me to ask: does piloting an electric car bring a sense of moral ease to exploration, or does it introduce fresh headaches? During a recent journey across Britain, my worries faded fast. The vehicle's navigation system suggests charging stops and durations, and I discovered that the desire to take side trips grew stronger in a car clever enough to ensure you reach your destination with battery to spare.
Naturally, a journey isn't merely about reaching the endpoint; it's the pauses in between that matter. Yes, there will be moments when you're plugged in at the Charnock Richard service area on the M6, but I was back on the road before long.
Browsing the map uncovers cleverly placed charging stations at seaside hotels in Cornwall, charming pubs in the Lake District, and alluring hideaways in far-flung parts of the Scottish Highlands. In my mind, I rehearsed the sheepish phone call home: 'I'm actually in Torridon. What choice did I have? They have a charger here.' (Though I might lack cell service to place that call—some innovations advance quicker than others.)
Lonely Planet evaluated a Tesla during an epic drive through Britain's national parks © Lonely Planet
Just as I was finding it hard to identify any drawbacks of an EV road trip, I encountered one. Pulled over in the Peak District village of Castleton, I was surrounded by a determined group of car enthusiasts who peppered me with tough technical queries about the motor—wattage, downforce, torque. They also insisted on taking turns sitting inside, spinning the steering wheel, like toddlers playing with a toy car in a store. The quiet of the highway beckoned more strongly.
Tom Hall took the wheel of a Tesla for Lonely Planet's Epic Drives tour of UK national parks.
