North Coast 500 tops wish list for UK electric vehicle drivers
The North Coast 500 is providing to be not just a draw for petrolheads.
The 516 mile circular route, which covers some of the most scenic locations in the Highlands, has also topped the wish list for more eco-friendly drivers.
A survey by commercial electrical services contractor Point Electrical has named the NC500 its top UK driving route for electric vehicle (EV) owners and drivers, based on general popularity, the EV charging station to mile ratio, and the number of hotels with EV charging stations on the route.
The top place in Point Electrical's top 10 list of the best UK driving routes went to the NC500, which already enjoys considerable international acclaim with publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and Now Travel Magazine hailing it as one of the best driving routes in the world.
The Brecon Beacons, Cotswolds, Norfolk Coast and Devon to Cornwall occupied the remaining top five places.
The North Coast 500 is described by Point Electrical as the best way to drive through the Scottish Highlands.
"Hugging close to the coastline of eastern, northern and western Scotland, you’ll be amazed by stunning scenery and countryside unlike anything else in the British Isles, with plenty of towns and villages on the way to make sure you can stock up on supplies. Prepare yourself for plenty of walks, too, as you’ll want to make the most of this amazing opportunity," it states.
The route, which begins and ends in Inverness, has more than just exciting scenery to offer EV drivers.
The study also found that the NC500 was well catered for with charging stations, despite its rural location, with an average of 18.4 miles per EV charging station. Although high compared with the Norfolk Coast, where EV drivers are only 3.3 miles away from the nearest charger, this compares well with two other routes in the Point Electrical top 10, Snowdonia and the North York Moors, where there are no charging points.
Joshua Gardner from Point Electrical said: “There's nothing quite like the freedom of the long open road. It has just been so unfortunate that we have needed to burn petrol to see the picturesque landscape of the UK.
"Fortunately, EVs have become ever more commonplace, which means lists like these will help stimulate more people to take EV road trips.”
For more information, visit www.pointelectrical.co.uk
