Two of our wonderful customers hired a Renault Zoe for an epic road trip across the country. Here we will share the story from Susan and Grant (not their real names). We hope you enjoy reading about their endeavours as much as we did.
Susan and Grant’s 46-day British adventure offers a brilliant insight into long-distance electric motoring, and the Renault Zoe sits right at the heart of their story. Their journey with an EVision Electric Vehicles hire car stretched from Edinburgh to London, covering around 3,000 miles of scenic roads, bustling towns and the occasional challenge. It’s a tale full of useful observations, unexpected discoveries and thoroughly entertaining travel anecdotes.
A Renault Zoe Grand Tour Powered by Electricity
When the couple set off from Edinburgh in a Renault Zoe, they were already experienced EV drivers at home in South Australia. Even so, they quickly noticed that the UK provides a rather different motoring environment. Narrower roads, heavier traffic and a more diverse set of charging systems created a learning curve that was equal parts fascinating and occasionally frustrating.
Their first two weeks took them from Edinburgh to Benderloch, with a charge stop at Dunblane’s railway station. They hopped over to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull before continuing towards Fort William. The Western Isles Hotel’s 7kW charger kept the Zoe energised while they enjoyed the harbour views. This simple combination of scenic exploration and easy charging set the tone for much of their early travel.
The Charging Patchwork: A Traveller’s Perspective
Charging an electric car in Britain can be a bit of a mixed bag, and Susan and Grant discovered just how varied the landscape can be. Modern rapid chargers operated smoothly with tap-and-go payments, yet older units sometimes demanded patience, and occasionally an app that didn’t behave.
In Fort William, they topped up at Crianlarich before driving through Glencoe to Troon. A mixture of car park chargers and a dealership rapid charger at Ayr kept them going. Moving onwards to Hexham, they found dependable 7kW charging close to their accommodation at the Sun Inn, even though chargers were also available at the Roman sites of Birdoswald and Vindolanda.
These early experiences revealed a key theme of UK EV travel: flexibility wins. With a variety of apps and networks in use, being willing to adapt makes the journey far smoother.
Scotland to the South-West: Scenery, Charging and Plenty of Miles
Once their Scottish explorations came to an end, Susan and Grant pressed southwards, weaving through northern England, the Midlands and finally into Cornwall. Their itinerary included frequent two-night stays, allowing them to combine sightseeing with convenient overnight charging.
From Hexham they moved to Keswick, Ulverston and Heptonstall. The pattern repeated: scenic routes, comfortable stops and a charging network wide enough to keep the Renault Zoe topped up without too much trouble.
Liverpool, Leighton Buzzard, Cheltenham and Leigh-on-Mendip followed. Each destination added new impressions of Britain’s landscapes, Lake District lakes, Pennine stone villages or Cotswold architecture, while also offering new encounters with the patchwork of EV infrastructure.
By the time they reached Truro and later Winchester, they had fully settled into the rhythm of British EV travel. They planned routes with care, considered backup chargers and managed charging sessions with a calm, practical mindset.
When Charging Gets Challenging: The Long Road to Canterbury
No long trip in a Renault Zoe EV is complete without at least one tricky day, and theirs arrived near the end. The journey from the Kidderminster area to Canterbury, around 200 miles, turned into a ten-hour test of persistence.
Motorway traffic slowed to a crawl and operational chargers proved elusive. Some were unavailable, some were occupied, and others were hard to access. This experience highlighted a crucial truth: battery buffer matters. Travellers should always enter motorway stretches with comfortable reserves, two or three charging options and the expectation that plans may need to change.
The M25, famously unpredictable, added further delays. Still, the Renault Zoe handled the long day well, and eventually they rolled into Canterbury with energy to spare and a story worth sharing.
Counting the Costs: EV vs Petrol on a Long Trip
Across almost 3,000 miles, Susan and Grant charged the Zoe 26 times, spending around £470 on electricity. They didn’t track every kilowatt-hour but estimated a typical cost of 79p/kWh, suggesting they used roughly 600 kWh across the trip.
For comparison, they calculated that an equivalent petrol car would have achieved about 38 mpg, costing significantly more overall given current fuel prices. Driving at home, their Hyundai Kona averages 15.8 kWh/100 km on long, open roads; in Britain, narrower roads and slower traffic nudged consumption up slightly, but the Zoe remained impressively efficient throughout.
Comfort, Capacity and Charging Wisdom
One of the most revealing aspects of their review is how well the Renault Zoe performed as a touring vehicle. Despite its compact footprint, it carried all their luggage for seven weeks, delivered comfortable daily drives and proved both economical and easy to handle.
Their advice for future travellers is clear and practical:
- Always plan charging ahead of time. Identify several options before setting out.
- Maintain a generous battery buffer. Not every station will be available or functioning.
- Know the differences between old and new charging hardware. Modern rapid chargers offer tap-and-go convenience; older units may take trial and error.
- Be aware of car park charges. Some sites require parking fees on top of charging rates.
- Expect energy prices to vary. High-speed chargers may be costly in busy areas.
These tips reflect real-world experience rather than theoretical advice, making them invaluable for anyone considering an EV holiday in Britain.
EVision’s Role: Seamless Support from Start to Finish
Hiring an electric vehicle from abroad could seem daunting, yet Susan and Grant found EVision’s service exemplary. Communication from Australia was smooth, delivery to Edinburgh was punctual, and collection from Canterbury happened exactly as arranged. Every phone call received a helpful response, and the prepaid insurance excess was returned promptly.
Such reliability matters even more during a long, multi-stop journey. Knowing that the rental company is responsive provides peace of mind and allows travellers to focus on the adventure rather than logistics.
A Recommendation from a Renault Zoe Experience
After thousands of miles, dozens of stops and a full immersion into Britain’s EV landscape, Grant finished his review with unreserved praise. The Renault Zoe from EVision proved a trustworthy companion, and the company’s support stood out at every stage.
For Australians planning UK travel, or anyone considering an extended EV road trip, this account demonstrates what’s possible with preparation, patience and the right vehicle. Britain’s charging network may be varied, but it is entirely navigable, and an electric adventure offers a wonderfully quiet, low-impact way to explore towns, cities and coastlines.
Final Thoughts on the Renault Zoe Adventure
Susan and Grant’s journey shows that an EV road trip across Great Britain is not only feasible but also deeply rewarding. Their Renault Zoe carried them from the highlands of Scotland to the historic streets of Canterbury, proving that electric travel offers comfort, economy and a sense of discovery.
Whether you’re a seasoned EV driver or considering your first electric hire, their experience highlights the joys and occasional quirks of Britain’s charging ecosystem, and confirms that with a bit of planning, an EVision hire can take you just about anywhere you want to go. Even in a small electric car.
*All information correct as of 23 December 2025
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