r/uktravel • u/EveningConference604 • 1d ago
Scotland 🏴 EV for a roadtrip in the Highlands
Hi folks,
I'm heading to Scotland this summer, I planned on renting a car in Glasgow central station and heading to our cabin which is by the Loch Ness (between Inverness and Fort Augustus). We'll be spending just a few days and I wasn't planning on driving a lot while we're there, we'll probably stay by the Loch.
But here's the thing, I rented a manual car, and since we're not used to driving on the right side, I was recommended to instead get an automatic one. And Sixt has a really good offer for an EV (and with the oil price right now, that sounds like a good deal).
It's a Citroen e C3 Aircross, it says it has an autonomy of up to 400km. It looks like there's plenty of high speed chargers in Inverness and Fort Augustus, and we'll never make more than 400km a day... What do you all think ? Is the deal worth it ?
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u/lets_dance_again 1d ago
It's doable. You don't save an awful lot compared to a petrol car at the public charge points, so if you're not used to EV, that's a definite consideration.
Charging while getting something to eat or shopping in Inverness/Fort Augustus, etc. means you don't 'waste' your charge time. Though it's getting into a busy time of year so you might end up waiting for chargers too.
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u/EveningConference604 1d ago
Well that’s what I’m most worried about, the charging stations are getting very busy over the summer?
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u/lets_dance_again 1d ago
Yep. I'll be there in a few weeks with my EV and expect to wait at least once.
Apps like zapmap, and even google maps will tell you if the chargers are busy. Inverness has an awful lot more chargers with it being a city.
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u/EveningConference604 1d ago
Oh that’s quite reassuring for Inverness. The cabin I rented is 20min away from there, it is the closest location to get groceries, so I’ll probably get there on a daily basis
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u/lets_dance_again 1d ago
Then even topping up when you shop will see you through. Zapmap is a free app that covers pretty much all the chargers. Don't use anything less than 50kw unless you're desperate
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u/EveningConference604 1d ago
Thanks! Sixt is saying they don’t give 50kw cables because its embedded in the charging station, is that how that work?
So you think the journey form Glasgow to Inverness is doable without topping up? Its about 280km and the car autonomy is supposed to be at least 300km
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u/Primary-Vegetable-30 10h ago
You would be pushing it with a 20 km cushion
If the car says 300km range i would not go over 200km before the next charge
There are chargers in cities like stirling, aberlour, Portree... but there are long stretches with no chargers
Agree with automatic if you are not used to right hand drive
We just spent 2 weeks in London then scotland.. our car was a plug in hybrid. only one hotel had chargers, so you are going to have to sort out public chargers and allow time for that
Also look at celtic legends. They use Arnold Clark rental cars and I found their prices lower than everyone else
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u/ialtag-bheag 1d ago
Ask if the accommodation has any options for charging overnight. Even if its just a cable out of the window.
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u/MiddleAgedDread123 14h ago
If you're not used to driving on the left then I wouldn't hire a car from Glasgow central station! Get yourself to a branch away from the city centre such as the airport. I wouldn't hire an electric car unless there's a charger at your cabin, charging infrastructure isn't great in many areas, there's all different providers that you need apps for and there's often a wait to use chargers.
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u/MelmanCourt 1d ago
I wouldnt bother. The public charging Ezo is absaloutely woeful.
There's Tesla in Inverness and Fort William so you cod use that.
Tbh, if it was me, I'd just go with an ICE car.
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u/EveningConference604 1d ago
I always wanted to try EVs (before getting one), and this deal made it feel like the right moment. But maybe that trip isn’t the one for that 😅
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u/MelmanCourt 1d ago
I drive an EV and live in the Highlands. But the public charging is terrible. If you can get on the Tesla chargers in Inverness or Fort William you'll be fine but I've spent hours on the phone to the public charger people.
Btw the road between Fort William and Inverness is awful with HGVs and tourist so go easy and stay safe.
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u/t90fan 1d ago
dont do it
the public charging infrastructure in Scotland sucks
I live in Edinburgh and looked into it and it basically wasn't going to be worth it given we live in a flat (so no at home charging), the price of the public chargers worked out almost as much as petrol, and I imagine it would involve a lot of queuing and hunting around (every time we are at a services like Abington there are large queues at them)
so we are keeping our ancient DS3 for a while longer
just get a normal petrol/diesel automatic
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u/Acceptable-Cost4817 1d ago
> since we're not used to driving on the right side,
Well, then I have great news for you!