Charging, driving, discovering: an EV journey across 10 European countries

Charting our electric course across Europe

Our European EV adventure kicked off in the Netherlands. With its famously efficient infrastructure, it was the perfect place to begin. Leaving Amsterdam behind, we quickly found that charging was a breeze. Each stop became an opportunity for a coffee or a quiet moment watching local life unfold, serving as a gentle introduction to the unique rhythm of electric travel on the continent.

Belgium

Crossing into Belgium felt almost seamless. We made our way to Brussels and found a charger just a short walk from the magnificent Grand-Place. Parking Eva there, surrounded by centuries-old architecture, really brought home one of our journey's central themes: the beautiful clash between the ancient and the modern. Thankfully, the practical side of things, like navigating new charging networks and road signs, went off without a hitch thanks to the E-Flux app.

France

Heading south into France, the whole landscape shifted. For the long hauls on the motorway, a bit of planning was key. We obviously hit Paris, but we made sure our trip covered a mix of different regions too. Sometimes we had to hunt for a charger using the E-Flux app, but the fast-charger network was good enough to get us all the way to Spain. The best stop? Watching Eva top up her battery next to a classic château in the Loire Valley.

Spain

Crossing the border into Spain brought with it an immediate shift in scenery and the welcome embrace of a warmer climate. We found that charging often happened at convenient spots like supermarkets or petrol stations, turning practical needs into moments of exploration. We even navigated the bustling streets of Barcelona to find our hotel, which was complete with its own charger. A surprisingly calm and successful taste of city EV logistics.

Italy

From Spain, Eva hugged the Mediterranean coastline, dipping briefly back through Southern France before crossing into Italy. The driving instantly became more spirited. In regions like the stunning Cinque Terre, getting to a charger sometimes meant tackling tight, winding roads, but the reward was a charging spot in a breathtakingly scenic location. A key lesson here was getting to grips with the ZTLs (Limited Traffic Zones), which are a serious consideration even when you're in a zero-emission vehicle.

Austria

Leaving Tuscany behind, our journey took us north into the heart of the Alps and across the border into Austria. This is where the EV truly came into its own. The instant torque made light work of the steep climbs, while the regenerative braking was a huge benefit on the way back down. We found the charging infrastructure in Austria to be excellent and reliable, with the added bonus of plugging in at some stunningly scenic Alpine spots.

Germany

Coming down from the mountains, we rolled into Germany, another seamless border crossing. On the Autobahn, we stuck to a sensible speed and noticed fast chargers were everywhere. Germany turned out to be incredibly EV-friendly, charging the car was just another simple task on the to do list.

Denmark

From Germany, our journey continued north into Denmark. After the impressive crossing of the Storebæltbrug, we explored Copenhagen and found it to be a very welcoming city for electric vehicles, with plenty of convenient places to charge.

Sweden

A drive across the iconic Øresund bridge brought us into Sweden. The scenery immediately felt wilder and more rugged. While charging in the south of the country was straightforward, heading further north required a different mindset. Planning our next charge became an essential part of the adventure, a true reflection of what it means to explore remote landscapes in an electric vehicle.

Norway

Our final destination was Norway, a nation at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution. Here, EVs were part of the everyday scenery, and chargers were everywhere, from the bustling streets of Oslo to the tranquil edges of the fjords. The ease of using the E-Flux app and finding charging points, even on the car ferries, truly showcased how deeply integrated electric travel has become in Norway.

Home sweet home

After an adventure that spanned 10 different countries, Eva brought us safely home, having performed flawlessly. Our journey proved that a grand European tour by electric vehicle is not just possible, but is a unique and modern way to connect with the incredible diversity of the continent's landscapes and cultures. Read more about our challenges and highlights here.