Land’s End to John O’Groats in an EV? No problem

At the time of year when many of us start thinking about road trips, we want to celebrate the glorious one from one end of our wonderful island to the other – Lands’ End to John O’Groats. Because we believe time well spent on the open road can give you a fresh perspective on many things, including what you can do in an EV. So read on to get in the mood for an epic EV adventure in the UK – even if you don’t fancy heading all the way to where you run out of tarmac.

Go big

Land's End to John o' Groats (or the opposite way if you prefer) is a journey across Great Britain between two extremities, in the southwest and northeast. Land's End, Cornwall, is mainland England's traditionally acknowledged extreme western point. John O’Groats, Caithness, is usually considered the most extreme northern point in mainland Scotland. The challenge is to join the two dots.

The trip’s distance is roughly 874 miles, but by taking A and B roads, you can make the journey a bit shorter (although probably a bit longer time-wise).

Henry Stanley and Richard Asley are believed to be the first people to make the journey by car in 1897. They took about 3 weeks – and probably had a pretty bumpy ride.

Since then, people have strived to make the journey in all kinds of ways, including running, cycling, walking, swimming, skateboarding, stand-up-paddle boarding and EV driving.

The first drive completed between the two points in an EV, using only charging stations, was in 2011. As EVs have advanced, people have started attempting the drive in the fewest charges possible. In 2021, a Ford Mustang Mach-E smashed the record, making the journey with just one charging stop of 43 minutes.Guiness World Records

It’s on

This kind of trip can cause EV drivers range anxiety – worrying about how far their vehicle will go on one charge. But it’s becoming easier to stay relaxed about range. The UK’s top three selling EV models – the Tesla Model Y, the Tesla Model 3, and the Kia Niro – claim ranges of up to 353 miles, 436 miles and 285 miles, respectively. We like to stress that range can be affected by several factors, including weather temperature, traffic conditions and battery capacity. But depending on the make and model of your EV, if you schedule your charging right, you could potentially go the distance in a few stops. Plan like a pro with our charging tips for long journeys.

Across the UK, you can also be confident of having more places to charge. According to a UK government survey, there are more than 73,000 EV charging points in January 2025. That’s up from around 60k in April 2024. We’re doing our bit – around 75% of the UK live within 5 miles of a bp pulse rapid or ultrafast charger. So with more powerful chargers readily available, you can spend less time charging and more time enjoying the journey. Find chargers near you or an upcoming trip you plan (no matter what distance) on our live map.

Do it your way

Take a well-driven route or blaze your own trail – it’s up to you. With a bit of planning and a closer look at potential charging locations, you can work out where to charge to get the experience you’ll enjoy the most. Route depending, you’re likely to wind your way through some of the UK’s stunning national parks – like Exmoor, the Lake District and the Cairngorms. And again, depending on which way you go, there’s plenty of sights to see, like Exeter Cathedral, Lancaster Castle or Old Trafford. To find chargers on the way – and filter by availability and speed, download the bp pulse app.

Plan places to power up and power on

Know your charging options can be the difference between an experience you forget or remember forever. And, bear in mind, how many times you need to charge can be affected by weather temperature, your EV’s make and model and battery capacity. Until you know what route you’ll take, it’s hard to pinpoint precise chargers for you. But on our infographic below there are some common charging stops on the journey to consider.

So there you have it. Your lowdown on EV road tripping the length of the country is complete. Maybe one day, it will inspire you to do it. Maybe tomorrow…