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How to plan your holidays with an electric car
As Spain’s charging infrastructure expands, travelling across the country in an electric car is becoming increasingly common and easier. You can now drive with confidence, knowing that more charging points are available along your route. With proper planning, your holidays can be more sustainable and economical than ever.
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In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about planning your trip with an electric vehicle. We’ll show you how to map your routes, where to stop strategically for charging, what types of chargers are available, and the best navigation apps —plus many other useful tips to ensure your journey is both unforgettable and efficient!
How to plan your route with charging points
Preparation and logistics are key. Planning a trip in an electric car isn’t very different from doing so with a conventional vehicle. Still, there are some extra factors to keep in mind:
Types of chargers available in Spain
It’s important to know in advance the location of the charging points along your route and at your destination. Therefore, define your itinerary, calculate your vehicle’s real driving range (which may vary based on charge level, speed, and weather conditions), and identify both fast and slow charging points to plan your stops accordingly.
In Spain, there are three main types of chargers:
- Slow charging (AC–up to 7.4 kW): Ideal for home installation or overnight charging at a hotel or other accommodation. Charging time: 6 to 8 hours.
- Semi-fast charging (AC–up to 22 kW): Common in shopping centres and parking lots. Charging time: 2 to 4 hours.
- Fast charging (DC–up to 150 kW or more): Perfect for roadside stops due to their speed. Charging to 80% typically takes 20 to 40 minutes.
Strategic roadside stops
If you plan to stay at tourist accommodations, it’s best to book places that have charging points. Rest areas with food services, public bathrooms, green spaces, and EV charging points are must-use stops. Shopping centres or supermarkets with free chargers are also excellent opportunities —just don’t forget your compatible charging cables.
Spain has over 37,000 public charging points. Some recommended electric vehicle travel routes include:
- Autovía del Cantábrico: From Irún to A Coruña, with stops in places like Santander, Santillana del Mar, and Comillas.
- Costa Brava: A scenic route passing through Cadaqués, Blanes, and Portlligat.
- Madrid and surrounding areas: A wide network of fast chargers across the capital and nearby towns.
- Murcia and La Manga del Mar Menor: High concentration of accommodations with EV chargers.
Recommended apps
Use apps that let you see and locate charging points in real time, filter by connector type and power, and even reserve a spot. Some also allow direct payment via the app.
Here are the top apps for planning your electric road trip:
- Electromaps: Shows over 500,000 charging points across Europe with detailed info (power, connectors, real-time status). This app allows you to directly activate charging at compatible points, make payments, and read other users’ reviews.
- ABRP (A Better Route Planner): Useful for calculating efficient routes based on your car model, weather conditions, and available chargers.
- PlugShare: A user community that rates and reviews each charging point —helpful for real-world insights.
- ChargeMap: Ideal for long trips, with filters for connector type, power, and availability.
- Google Maps: This popoular navigation app includes charging point info along routes, with filters for charging speed and connector type.
- Endesa On Your Way: Endesa’s mobility app lets you manage all your EV charging —at home with your Endesa X Way charger, in the city, and on the road.
Endesa has one of the largest and highest-quality charging networks. With our app, you’ll have access to more than 250,000 charging points —wherever you are. Designed for a seamless and extraordinary user experience, it helps you locate, reserve, and manage charging in real time.
Key features include optimised route planning with charging points, exclusive offers and promotions for users, and the ability to customise your experience by entering your vehicle details for more accurate information.
Discover all the features of our Endesa On Your Way app, available for both Android and iOS:
Tips to maximise your electric car’s range
- Drive efficiently: Avoid sudden acceleration and maintain a steady speed. Accelerating smoothly and using regenerative braking reduces energy consumption.
- Charge during off-peak hours: Take advantage of night rates or solar energy and charge during cooler hours, as high temperatures affect charging efficiency —ideally at night or in shaded areas.
- Use ECO mode: Many EVs have an ‘eco’ setting that optimises performance, reduces energy use, and extends range.
Accommodations with EV chargers
Platforms for finding them
More hotels, cottages, and campsites now have charging points. To find them, you can use platforms like Booking.com (filter by ‘electric vehicle charging station’), Electromaps (shows places to stay and charge), and Tesla Destination Charging (available to other EVs with an adapter). Popular sites like Airbnb, TripAdvisor, Rusticae, and Cargatucoche.com also allow searches for accommodations with EV chargers.
Logistical advantages
You can charge your car while sleeping or resting, without stress or rush. You’ll save time, have more range for local excursions, and start your day with a full battery.
How much does it cost to travel in an electric car? (Cost per 100 km)
| Charging type | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Nighttime home charging | 1,53€ |
| Daytime home charging | 2,55€ |
| Public fast charging | 7,65€ |
| Fuel | 9,23€ |
Checklist for smooth holidays
Making a checklist will help you prepare everything for a safe, efficient trip without surprises —from mapping charging points to applying range-saving tips:
- What to bring: compatible charging cables, adapters, and installed and updated navigation and charging apps.
- What to check before leaving: battery level, tire pressure, brake condition, and all lights (front, side, rear, and interior).
- Safety tips: Avoid letting the battery drop below 10% and avoid charging from 0% to 100% repeatedly. Ideally, keep it between 20% and 80% to extend battery life. Reduce weight by leaving unnecessary items at home —extra load affects range. Emergency kit: vest, warning triangle or safety light, flashlight, water, and let someone know your planned route.
FAQ
- How often should I stop? It depends on your car’s range and the route. As a general rule, stop every 200–300 km for 30–40 minutes.
- Where are fast chargers located? Most are found at service stations, shopping centres, and motorway rest areas. Use our charging point map, compatible with the Enel On Your Way app, to find the most convenient one for you.
- What if a charger isn’t working? Use your navigation app to locate the nearest alternative, report the issue, and contact the operator’s technical support. Always have a backup charging option in your route plan.
With careful planning, you can enjoy a comfortable, affordable, and sustainable trip. By making the most of today’s technological tools, knowing where your charging points are, and following our tips, you can ensure memorable holidays!
Electric mobility isn’t just the future —it’s already a great option for many travellers this summer.
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You don't need to adapt to Endesa's tariffs because they adapt to you. If you go to our catalogue you can compare the different tariffs for yourself. Or if you prefer, you can answer a few questions and we will take care of comparing all the different electricity and gas tariffs and then make a customised recommendation.
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