Holidaying in Devon with an electric car: The complete guide

Holidaying in Devon with an electric car: Your complete guide

TL;DR: Can I take a trip to Devon in an electric car?

Devon is one of the best road trip destinations in the UK, even for electric cars.

It has a solid and growing network of rapid charge points, many hotels with on-site EV facilities, and public charging hubs spread across the county.

This guide covers the best charging stops en route, the top Devon hotels with EV charging, where to top up while you’re out and about, and what to do while you wait.

Devon is one of the best holiday destinations in the country

And yes, with Carparison HQ based in Exeter, we're a little biased.

But we have good reason to be.

Beautiful beaches, sweeping moorland, charming market towns, and a county that has embraced the electric revolution. Devon delivers on all of it.

Planning a trip in an electric car (EV) adds a few extra considerations to the usual holiday prep, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Between the charging hubs, hotels with on-site facilities, and a growing network of public charge points, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to keep your battery topped up while you get on with enjoying yourself.

And we’ve done the legwork for you.

From service station stops en route, to the best Devon hotels with EV charging, to public hubs, attractions, and everything in between: Here’s everything you need to plan the perfect electric road trip.

Charging device information obtained from Zapmap. Costs and availability might vary.

What to know before you go

The most important thing to know is that you almost certainly don’t need to worry as much as you think you do.

Devon is well within reach for most modern EVs, and with a little planning, range anxiety doesn’t need to feature. Here’s a rough sense of the distances involved:

• London to Exeter: Around 175 miles
• Bristol to Exeter: Around 90 miles
• Birmingham to Exeter: Around 145 miles
• Manchester to Exeter: Around 250 miles

If you’re making the trip from further north, a charge stop on the way is sensible regardless of what you drive.

Real-world motorway driving typically delivers around 15-25% less range than your car’s official WLTP figure, so you’ll want to bear that in mind when planning your route down (or up, if you’re coming from Cornwall).

For route planning, your car’s native sat nav can handle a lot of the heavy lifting.

Modern EVs can plan charging stops in automatically. If you want to do it yourself, Zapmap is an excellent app for finding charge points, and A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is worth downloading for more control over your journey.

Before you leave, check your charging network membership cards are in the car, get the apps downloaded, and have a rough idea of where you want to stop.

Best service stations with EV chargers on the way to Devon

With Devon being so far south, there’s a reasonable chance you’ll need at least one stop on the way down — and not just for your car. 

Luckily, EV chargers are standard fare at motorway services now, so you’re never far from a top-up and a coffee.

Membury Services (Westbound)

Lambourne, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 7TY

Devices: Eight Tesla CCS Superchargers (up to 150kW), plus five GRIDSERVE chargers including two CCS (up to 60kW), two CHAdeMO (up to 60kW), and one Type 2 (22kW).

A solid stop if you’re coming from the east. Grab a coffee, let the car charge, and get back on the road.

Gloucester Services (Southbound)

M5 (between junction 12 and 11a), Brookthorpe, GL4 0DN

Devices: 12 Evolt Network CCS chargers (up to 150kW) and eight Tesla Superchargers (up to 250kW)

Gloucester Services is our favourite motorway stop on earth, and we’ll hear nothing against it.

The farm shop is excellent, the café does a proper sausage roll, and the toilets are nicer than they have any right to be. Stopping here is a little treat on a long journey – though your bank balance might not agree.

Gordano Services

WelcomeBreak, M5, Bristol, BS20 7XG

Devices: Eight Tesla CCS Superchargers (up to 130kW), plus GRIDSERVE with one Type 2 (22kW), one CHAdeMO (up to 40kW) and one CCS (up to 40kW)

A straightforward M5 stop just before you hit Devon. Nothing fancy, but it does the job.

Cornwall Services 

A30, St Austell, PL26 8UF

Devices: GRIDSERVE with six CCS (up to 60kW), six Type 2 (7kW), and three CHAdeMO (up to 60kW)

Technically not on the Devon leg, but worth knowing about if you’re heading further west after your time in the county.

If you’re coming from the south-east via the A303 or M4: 

Leigh Delamere and Podimore both carry EV charging. You’ll want to check Zapmap for the current options on your specific route, especially if it’s mostly A-roads.

Best Devon hotels with EV charging

Devon has a strong selection of hotels with on-site EV charging, spread well across the county.

Here are nine of the best, from Exeter to Salcombe, Dartmoor to the South Hams.

Boringdon Hall & Spa, Plymouth

Colebrook, Plympton, PL7 4DP

Devices: Three Project EV Type 2 (7.3kW) chargers, two 13kW Tesla chargers

A five-star Elizabethan manor house with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a state-of-the-art spa, and four-poster beds.

If you’re planning a special trip to the South West, Boringdon Hall sets a very high bar indeed.

Lympstone Manor, Exmouth

Courtlands Lane, EX8 3NZ

Devices: Two Type 2 chargers

Michael Caine’s Grade II-listed Georgian Manor house sits above the Exe estuary with exceptional views, Michelin-starred food, and shepherd’s huts that are as lovely as you’d hope.

The Devon Hotel, Exeter

Matford, EX2 8XU

Devices: Four Type 2 (22kW) chargers

If you need a base in Exeter, The Devon Hotel is a reliable choice.

Classic hotel, solid dining, 22kW charging for guests, and easy access to both the city centre and the M5. It does what it promises and does it well.

The Palace Hotel, Paignton

Esplanade Road, TQ4 6BJ

Devices: Three 22kW Type 2 chargers and one 11kW Type 2 charger

A Torbay stalwart with a swimming pool, gym, beauty rooms, and four charging stations at the back of the hotel.

A proper seaside hotel that has been doing this for decades. 

And the seafront is only a short stroll away.

Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa, Newton Abbot

Ilsington, TQ13 9RR

Devices: Two Type 2 (7kW) chargers

A beautiful country house hotel on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, with wooded grounds, a lovely spa, and genuinely warm service.

It’s a good base for exploring the moor, with charging available to guests and day visitors alike.

Thurlestone Hotel, Kingsbridge

Thurlestone, TQ7 3NN

Devices: Four Type 2 (7kW) chargers

A family-owned hotel in 19 acres of sub-tropical gardens close to Salcombe, with golf, tennis, a spa, and sea views that do most of the persuading.

Dart Marina, Dartmouth

Sandquay Road, TQ6 9PH

Devices: Four 22kW chargers

The Dart Marina Hotel makes a bold claim: That these are possibly the finest EV charging views in the country. 

Standing in front of the chargers, looking out over the River Dart estuary, it’s hard to argue.

South Sands Hotel, Salcombe

Bolt Head, TQ8 8LL

Devices: Two Type 2 (7kW) chargers

A contemporary hotel right on the South Sands beach, which is one of the best beaches in the South Hams.

Dog-friendly, with New England-style rooms and alfresco dining on local crab linguine.

The Pig at Combe, Honiton

Gittisham, EX14 3AD

Devices: One Type 2 (22kW) and one Type 2 (7kW) Tesla Destination charger

The Gloriana of the Pig collection: A Grade I-listed Elizabethan manor in the peaceful Otter Valley with gorgeous interiors, a kitchen garden menu done properly, and the relaxed atmosphere the Pig hotels do so well.

Best public EV charging hubs in Devon

If you need a top-up mid-adventure, Devon has a solid spread of public charging hubs across the country.

Moto Exeter (Exeter Services)

M5, Junction 30 Sandygate Roundabout, EX2 7HF

Devices: 32 Tesla-only CCS Superchargers, plus GRIDSERVE with 36 CCS chargers (up to 350kW), two Type 2 (11kW) and 12 CHAdeMO (up to 100kW)

One of the larger charging sites in the South West, with serious speeds and all your usual service station food options.

A useful first stop when you arrive or a final top-up before heading home.

Exeter EV Hub

Marsh Barton, EX2 8NJ

Devices: 10 Source EV chargers including eight 150kW CCS and two 160kW CCS

A dedicated fast charging hub with no frills and no queue. Close to the M5 and A30, useful if you’re based in Exeter and need a quick, reliable top-up.

Darts Farm

Topsham, EX3 0QH

Devices: Tesla Public Supercharger network with 12 devices and 20 CCS connectors

Darts Farm is a proper charging stop, and not just because of the chargers.

This is a working farm with a good farm shop, a café, a restaurant, and animals for younger visitors to enjoy while the battery sorts itself out.

By the time you’ve worked your way through the cheese counter, placed an unnecessary order at the café, and said hello to the pigs, your car will be fully charged and you’ll have armfuls of produce.

Happy days.

Salmons Leap Hub

Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0JR

Devices: 16 Osprey charging stations including 16 CCS chargers (up to 300kW) and 16 CHAdeMO (up to 50kW)

One of the largest dedicated EV charging hubs in the South West: 16 bays including extra-wide disabled access spaces and extra-long bays for towing vehicles.

A farm shop on site means there’s something to do while you charge — and we've never been ones to turn down a farm shop-shaped opportunity.

Haven Road, Exeter

58 Haven Road, EX2 8DA

Devices: Two Wenea Type 2 (2.5kW) and two CCS (up to 30kW)

A handy option if you’re visiting Exeter Quay.

Park up, go for a walk along the river, and come back to a fuller battery.

EV charging at Devon attractions

Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Exeter

Sidmouth Road, EX5 1DR

Devices: Four Clenergy EV 22kW Type 2 chargers

Devon’s biggest theme park, with rides, camping, glamping, and hot tub lodges.

Four on-site chargers mean you can spend a full day here knowing your car will be ready when the kids run out of their battery.

Diggerland, Cullompton

Verbeer Manor, Willand, EX15 2PE

Devices: Three Tesla Destination Type 2 (11kW) chargers

Diggers, trucks, go-karts, and safari rides.

Three chargers on site, which is exactly as many as you need while you spend a day watching your children operate heavy machinery.

National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth

Rope Walk, Coxside, PL4 0LF

Nearby charging: Two Wenea 100kW CCS chargers at Exchange Car Park

The UK’s largest aquarium, with 5,000-plus marine animals and the deepest viewing tank in the country.

Charging is at the nearby Exchange Street Car Park rather than on-site.

Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay

Hampton Avenue, TQ1 3LA

Nearby charging: Four Wenea CCS chargers (up to 100kW) at Hampton Avenue Long Stay Car Park.

Four acres of award-winning gardens with over 13,000 miniature residents and some charming details.

Charging is at the long stay car park nearby.

Devon has a way of getting under your skin

People come here for a long weekend and start browsing local estate agents by Wednesday. We’re not promising that’ll happen to you — but we’re not not promising it either.

What we can say is that getting here in an electric car is considerably less complicated than it used to be, and the infrastructure keeps improving.

Plan your stops, download Zapmap, and be on your merry way.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the county. Just don’t blame us if you end up staying longer than planned.

Your Devon EV questions answered

Can you drive from London to Devon in an electric car?

Yes, comfortably. London to Exeter is around 175 miles, well within range for most modern EVs.

Many drivers can do it on a single charge.

But you’ll likely be making a stop anyway, so you can tie it in with a quick charge so you don’t arrive on empty.

Is Devon well-served for EV charging?

It is in the more built-up areas, like Exeter, Plymouth, and Torbay.

Coverage thins out in more rural spots, Dartmoor especially, so it’s worth charging before you head onto the moor, rather than hoping for the best once you’re out there.

How do I plan an EV route to Devon?

Your car’s native sat-nav is an easy starting point — most modern EVs will plan in charging stops automatically.

For more control over your journey, A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is excellent. ZapMap is the best tool for finding charge points once you’re here.

Is range anxiety a problem on a Devon holiday?

Much less so than it used to be.

Most new EVs offer well over 200 miles of real-world range, and Devon’s charging infrastructure has grown.

Plan your stops before you leave, book a hotel or campsite with on-site chargers, and you’ll barely think about it.