Cornwall is the UK's most popular holiday destination - and now it's fully EV-ready. With over 200 public chargers across the county and growing destination charging at hotels, B&Bs, and attractions, your electric road trip to England's southwestern tip has never been easier.
This guide covers everything you need: the A30 corridor rapid charging stops, coastal village destination chargers, scenic route planning, and accommodation with EV charging. You'll save £100-£180 vs petrol on a typical week-long Cornwall holiday.
Quick Reference: Cornwall EV Charging Facts
- Total public chargers: 200+ (2025)
- Rapid chargers (50kW+): 45+ locations
- Ultra-rapid (150kW+): 12 locations
- Destination chargers: 80+ hotels/B&Bs
- Free supermarket charging: Lidl, Aldi, Tesco Extra
- Average charge cost: £8-£15 per 80% charge
Getting to Cornwall: A30 Corridor Charging Strategy
From London/South East (280 miles)
Recommended Route: M4 > M5 > A30
Strategic Charging Stops:
Stop 1: Exeter Services (180 miles from London)
- Gridserve Electric Highway: 6 x 350kW ultra-rapid
- Cost: 65p/kWh
- Facilities: Costa, M&S, toilets
- Charge time: 15-25 minutes (20-80%)
Stop 2: Indian Queens, Cornwall (250 miles)
- InstaVolt: 4 x 125kW rapid
- Cost: 69p/kWh
- Location: A30 services
- Charge time: 20-30 minutes
Arrival Strategy: Most EVs arrive with 30-50% battery after Indian Queens. This is enough for 2-3 days of local driving before needing a charge.
From Birmingham/Midlands (220 miles)
Recommended Route: M5 > A30
Key Stops:
Taunton Deane Services (100 miles)
- Gridserve: 8 x 350kW
- Perfect mid-journey top-up
Bodmin (200 miles)
- Osprey: 4 x 150kW
- Last major rapid before North Cornwall coast
Destination Charging: Where to Stay
Hotels with EV Charging
Luxury (7-22kW chargers included):
| Hotel | Location | Chargers | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbis Bay Estate | St Ives | 4 x 22kW | Free for guests | Book charger with room |
| The Headland Hotel | Newquay | 6 x 7kW | Free | First-come, first-served |
| Fowey Hall | Fowey | 2 x 7kW | Free | Pre-book essential |
| Watergate Bay Hotel | Watergate | 4 x 7kW | Free | Tesla + Type 2 |
Mid-Range:
| Hotel | Location | Chargers | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Inn Newquay | Newquay | 2 x 7kW | Pod Point £0.24/kWh | 24hr access |
| Premier Inn St Austell | St Austell | 2 x 7kW | Pod Point £0.24/kWh | A30 convenient |
| Travelodge Bodmin | Bodmin | 2 x 7kW | Pod Point £0.24/kWh | Gateway to coast |
B&Bs with Charging (Growing Trend):
- Search "EV charging" on Booking.com - 40+ Cornwall properties now offer
- Typical rate: Free or £5-£10 per overnight charge
- Always confirm availability when booking
Self-Catering with Charging
Cottages with EV Chargers:
- Sykes Holiday Cottages: Filter for "Electric Vehicle Charging" - 60+ Cornwall properties
- Classic Cottages: 25+ EV-equipped rentals
- Airbnb: Search "EV charger" in amenities filter
Tip: Properties with 7kW chargers can fully charge most EVs overnight. Slower 3kW chargers need 10-14 hours.
Regional Charging Guide
North Cornwall Coast (Padstow, Newquay, Bude)
Rapid Charging:
Padstow:
- Padstow Car Park: 2 x 50kW (Cornwall Council)
- Cost: 40p/kWh
- Perfect for: Rick Stein lunch while charging
Newquay:
- Newquay Retail Park: 4 x 150kW (Osprey)
- Manor Road Car Park: 4 x 7kW (free, 4hr limit)
- Sainsbury's: 2 x 50kW
Bude:
- Crooklets Car Park: 2 x 50kW (Cornwall Council)
- Bude Haven Car Park: 4 x 7kW
Scenic Route: Padstow to Bude (45 miles) Charge at Padstow, drive coast road via Tintagel Castle, charge at Bude. Allow 3 hours with stops.
South Cornwall (St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth)
Rapid Charging:
St Ives:
- Trenwith Car Park: 4 x 50kW (Cornwall Council)
- Note: St Ives is pedestrianised - park and walk
Penzance:
- Wharfside Car Park: 4 x 50kW + 4 x 7kW
- Sainsbury's Penzance: 2 x 50kW
- Gateway to: Land's End (10 miles), Minack Theatre (9 miles)
Falmouth:
- The Moor Car Park: 6 x 50kW
- Quarry Car Park: 4 x 7kW
- Pendennis Point: 2 x 7kW (stunning location)
Land's End Route: Charge at Penzance (80%), drive to Land's End (10 miles), return with 50%+ remaining. Land's End has 2 x 7kW destination chargers but often busy.
Eden Project & Central Cornwall
Eden Project:
- On-site: 8 x 7kW (Pod Point, £3/session + parking)
- Nearby (St Austell): Asda 4 x 50kW, Tesco 6 x 7kW
Bodmin:
- Priory Car Park: 4 x 50kW
- Lidl Bodmin: 2 x 50kW (free while shopping)
The Lost Gardens of Heligan:
- On-site: 4 x 7kW (free for visitors)
- Perfect for: 2-3 hour visit = 15-20 miles added range
Cost Comparison: EV vs Petrol Cornwall Trip
Scenario: Week in Cornwall from London
Journey: London > Newquay > St Ives > Penzance > Eden Project > London Total Distance: 650 miles
| Cost Type | EV | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| Journey there (280 mi) | £22 | £52 |
| Local driving (120 mi) | £8* | £22 |
| Journey home (280 mi) | £22 | £52 |
| Total Fuel/Charging | £52 | £126 |
| Savings | £74 | - |
*Assumes mix of free destination charging and paid rapid top-ups
Additional Savings:
- Free supermarket charging (Lidl, Aldi): £15-£20
- Overnight B&B charging: £20-£30
- Total Potential Savings: £100-£130
Free Charging in Cornwall
Supermarkets (Free While Shopping)
| Store | Location | Chargers | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lidl Truro | Truro | 2 x 50kW | 1 hour |
| Lidl Bodmin | Bodmin | 2 x 50kW | 1 hour |
| Aldi Penzance | Penzance | 2 x 50kW | 1 hour |
| Aldi Newquay | Newquay | 2 x 50kW | 1 hour |
| Tesco Extra Truro | Truro | 6 x 7kW | 4 hours |
Cornwall Council Chargers (Subsidised)
- Cost: 35-40p/kWh (significantly below market rate)
- Locations: Most town centre car parks
- Payment: Cornwall Council app or contactless
Scenic Routes with Charging Strategy
Route 1: The Atlantic Highway (2 days)
Day 1: Bude to Newquay (50 miles)
- Start: Bude (charge to 80%)
- Via: Tintagel Castle, Port Isaac (Doc Martin village)
- Lunch: Padstow (quick top-up while eating)
- End: Newquay (overnight charging at hotel)
Day 2: Newquay to St Ives (35 miles)
- Start: Newquay (fully charged)
- Via: Perranporth Beach, St Agnes Head
- End: St Ives (destination charging or Trenwith car park)
Route 2: The South Coast (3 days)
Day 1: Fowey to Falmouth (25 miles)
- Start: Fowey (charge at hotel)
- Via: Charlestown harbour, Mevagissey
- End: Falmouth (The Moor car park charge)
Day 2: Falmouth to Penzance (28 miles)
- Start: Falmouth
- Via: Lizard Peninsula (Britain's most southerly point)
- End: Penzance (Wharfside charging)
Day 3: Penzance to Land's End loop (40 miles)
- Start: Penzance (80% charge)
- Via: Mousehole, Land's End, Sennen Cove, St Just
- Return: Penzance (still 30%+ remaining)
Apps You Need
Essential for Cornwall:
- Zap-Map - Real-time charger availability, user ratings
- Cornwall Council EV - Council charger locations and payment
- Osprey - Fast payment for Osprey network
- Pod Point - For Premier Inn and Pod Point chargers
- bp pulse - Growing Cornwall network
Money-Saving Tip: Set Zap-Map filters to show free chargers. Cornwall has more free charging than most UK regions thanks to council investment.
Seasonal Considerations
Summer (Peak Season)
Challenges:
- Chargers at popular spots (St Ives, Padstow) can queue
- Book accommodation with charging 2-3 months ahead
- Arrive at attractions early for charging spaces
Solutions:
- Charge during lunch/dinner (restaurants have destination chargers)
- Use supermarket chargers during off-peak hours (before 10am)
- Consider staying inland (better charger availability)
Winter
Benefits:
- Zero queues at chargers
- More accommodation availability
- Lower electricity rates (off-peak tariffs)
Challenges:
- Reduced range (expect 15-20% less)
- Some coastal attractions closed
- Shorter daylight hours
Strategy: Plan 80-100 mile range between charges (vs 120-150 in summer).
Real UK Road Trip Experience
Traveller: EV_FamilyUK, Zap-Map Community, August 2024
"Did 8 days in Cornwall with our Kia EV6 and two kids. Stayed at cottage in Perranporth with 7kW charger - never worried about range. Used Gridserve at Exeter both ways (£22 each), did one Osprey top-up in Newquay (£12), rest was free at Lidl/Tesco plus overnight cottage charging. Total charging cost: £56 for 580 miles. Petrol equivalent would've been £110+. Kids loved watching the charge while we grabbed ice cream."
Outcome: £54 saved, zero range anxiety, family approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I drive to Land's End and back from Penzance without charging?
Yes. Land's End is only 10 miles from Penzance. Even with the most inefficient EV, you'll return with plenty of range. The scenic route via Sennen adds 15 miles - still no charging needed.
2. What if chargers are busy at tourist spots?
Cornwall has excellent backup options. If St Ives Trenwith car park is full, Tesco St Ives (1 mile) has chargers. Zap-Map shows real-time availability - check before arriving.
3. Is there charging on the Isles of Scilly?
Limited. St Mary's has 2 x 7kW chargers at the Duchy of Cornwall nursery. EVs aren't common on the islands - most visitors use the ferry as foot passengers. Leave your car charged in Penzance.
4. How do I charge at Cornwall Council car parks?
Download the Cornwall Council EV app, create account, add payment. Alternatively, tap contactless on the charger. Rates are 35-40p/kWh - excellent value.
5. Can I do a day trip from Devon to Cornwall?
Easily. Exeter to Padstow is 80 miles. Charge at Exeter, drive to Padstow, top-up while having lunch, return. Total charging cost: £15-£20.
6. What's the longest stretch without a charger?
The B3306 coast road from St Just to Zennor (15 miles) has no chargers, but you'll pass through St Ives (chargers) at either end. No realistic route in Cornwall exceeds 30 miles between charging options.
Planning Checklist
Before You Go:
- Download Zap-Map and Cornwall Council EV apps
- Confirm accommodation has working EV charger
- Plan A30 charging stops (Exeter + one more)
- Check attraction charger availability (Eden Project, etc.)
Packing:
- Type 2 cable (if accommodation has untethered charger)
- Charger adapters (if using varied networks)
- Phone charger for navigation/apps
During Trip:
- Charge to 80% at rapids (faster, cheaper)
- Top up at supermarkets during shopping
- Overnight charge at accommodation when possible
- Use Zap-Map to report charger status (help fellow EV drivers)
Summary: Your Cornwall EV Road Trip
Cornwall is fully EV-ready for your 2025 holiday. With strategic charging on the A30, excellent destination charging at hotels, and free supermarket top-ups, you'll spend more time enjoying the beaches and less time worrying about range.
Key Takeaways:
- Two rapid stops on A30 gets you there from anywhere in England
- Book accommodation with charging for stress-free local driving
- Free Lidl/Aldi charging saves £20-£30 per trip
- Cornwall Council chargers are UK's best value at 35-40p/kWh
- No route in Cornwall requires more than 100 miles between chargers
Your Cornwall EV adventure awaits - and you'll save £100+ vs petrol getting there.
Last Updated: January 2025 | Charger data verified via Zap-Map and Cornwall Council
