Revealed: UK’s most EV friendly motorways

New research has found that the M74 in Scotland is the most electric vehicle-friendly motorway overall, with the shortest average distance between charging point locations.

Yet, the nearby M8 which connects Glasgow to Edinburgh, is the least prepared for the EV revolution, with just one service station and no charging points across its 60-mile length, despite being Scotland’s busiest motorway.

Similarly in England, the 32-mile M60 Manchester ring road lacks any EV charging facilities at its motorway service stations.

Most EV-friendly motorways by miles per charging location

	MOTORWAY	LENGTH (MILES)	No. OF CHARGE POINT LOCATIONS *****	AVG. MILES PER CHARGE POINT LOCATION
1	M74	40	3	13.3
2	M6	232	16	14.5
3	M5	163	11	14.8
4	M1	194	12	16.2
5	M4	189	11	17.2
6	M40	89	5	17.8
7	M42	40	2	20.0
8	M27	25	1	25.0
9	M80	25	1	25.0
10	M20	51	2	25.5
11	M2	26	1	26.0
12	M62	107	4	26.8
13	M6 TOLL	27	1	27.0
14	M18	27	1	27.0
15	M25	117	4	29.3
16	M3	59	2	29.5
17	M56	33	1	33.0
18	M60	36	0	36.0
19	M11	55	1	55.0
20	M8	60	0	60.0

The M6, which is the UK’s longest motorway and connects the West Midlands to the North West of England, is a favourite among EV owners, coming second with a charging point location on average every 14.5 miles along its 232-mile route.

According to the study for automotive shopping site CarGurus, the M25 (which is often named among the nation’s least favourite and busiest motorways), has just four charging locations along its 117-mile length.

“While many EV drivers will do the majority of their charging at home, there are most likely still times when charging mid-journey will be essential, particularly on long motorway runs,” said Chris Knapman, Editor at CarGurus UK.

“As such, it is reassuring to see just how frequently you’ll be able to find a charge point on the UK’s various motorways.”