Going on vacation in an electric car is now a far cry from what we imagined just a few years ago. Range has improved, there are more charging stations, apps are more reliable, and drivers now have more experience with long trips.
Yet the question always comes up when planning a vacation: Is it really that easy to take a long trip in an electric car? Can you drive across France without spending all your time looking for a charging station? Do you need to allow for much more time? And most importantly, how much will it cost to charge the car along the way?
The answer is quite reassuring: yes, going on vacation in an electric car in 2026 has become entirely feasible. But it’s not yet a trip you can completely wing, especially during peak travel periods.
Electric cars have changed, and so have our commutes
For a long time, electric cars were seen as an ideal solution for daily commutes, but less so for vacations. That perception is changing. Newer models often have a range of several hundred kilometers, and the charging network continues to expand along major highways, in commercial areas, near hotels, and in high-traffic areas.
In France, the public network had 192,008 publicly accessible charging stations as of the end of March 2026, according to the latest Avere-France survey. Since the beginning of the year, 6,505 new charging stations have been deployed across the country. This doesn’t mean everything is perfect everywhere, but the trend is clear: long trips are becoming easier and easier to plan.
The biggest change is the way we travel. With a gasoline-powered car, we often wait until the tank is almost empty before stopping. With an electric car, we learn to think in stages: we set out with a full charge, identify two or three possible stops, and use those breaks to recharge while we rest.
The real question is no longer “Is it possible?”, but “How can we organize ourselves effectively?”
By 2026, the question is no longer really whether you can travel long distances in an electric vehicle. The answer is yes. The real issue is logistics.
Planning a road trip for vacation is a little different. You need to check your vehicle’s actual range, locate the fast-charging stations available along the route, have a backup plan in case a station is occupied, and avoid arriving at a charging station with only 3% battery remaining.
It may seem like a hassle at first, but in practice, these habits quickly become second nature. Many electric vehicle drivers even come to appreciate this routine: a break every two or three hours—a coffee, a few errands, a trip to the restroom—and the car has regained enough range to hit the road again.
The goal, then, is not to turn every driver into a charging expert. The goal is to make the journey clear, smooth, and reassuring enough so that driving an electric car is no longer a source of stress when it’s time to set off.
How much time should I set aside for charging while on vacation?
This is often the first concern. No one wants to spend an hour in a parking lot in the middle of a trip.
In reality, it all depends on three factors: the charging station’s power output, the vehicle’s charging capacity, and the battery level at the time you plug in. At a slow-charging station, charging can take several hours. At a fast- or ultra-fast-charging station, a 20- to 30-minute stop may be enough to restore a comfortable range.
A good habit is not to always charge your battery to 100%. On long trips, the most efficient range is often between about 20% and 80%. Beyond that, the charging speed generally slows down. It’s therefore better to do a shorter charge and get back on the road, rather than waiting unnecessarily for the final few percent.
This is also where charging stations located in convenient spots really come into their own. A charging station in a hotel parking lot, shopping center, or service area turns charging time into a real break. You don’t “waste” 20 minutes—you make the most of them.
The cost of the refill: a pleasant surprise or a nasty one?
The cost of recharging has become a real concern, especially at a time when households are keeping a close eye on energy prices. EDF reports that, as of February 1, 2026, electricity prices under the regulated rate will generally remain at the same level, with variations depending on the rate plan and price components.
But when it comes to a road trip, there are several scenarios to consider. Charging at home is often the most economical option. Charging at a fast or ultra-fast charging station is generally more expensive, as the service covers power, infrastructure, operations, maintenance, and network availability.
This higher price should be viewed for what it is: not just a price per kWh, but the price of a mobility service. When you fast-charge on your way to your vacation destination, what you’re really buying is time, convenience, and peace of mind.
That is why the energy model behind charging is so important. At Dream Energy, our approach is based on an integrated model: generating renewable electricity, supplying it, and operating charging stations. This end-to-end control allows us to offer fast charging powered by renewable energy, with a pricing model that is both sustainable and competitive.
Do you have to plan your entire trip in advance when driving an electric vehicle?
Not necessarily everything, but you need to plan at least a little.
Before setting out, it’s helpful to review the key points of the route: the distance, areas with plenty of fast-charging stations, potential bottlenecks, and charging options at your destination. A charging app or the vehicle’s built-in route planner is often enough to provide a reliable foundation.
Ideally, you should plan to use a main station and have a nearby alternative. This way, you can avoid dealing with a busy station, a long line, or temporary unavailability. During the holidays, having this little buffer makes all the difference.
You should also think about where you’ll be staying. A hotel, an apartment complex, a campground, or a well-equipped city can make your entire trip much easier. Charging your device overnight or while you’re out and about means you won’t have to scramble to find a charging station at the last minute.
The best strategy is simple: never let your battery get too low, always have a backup plan, and make charging a natural part of your trip rather than seeing it as a hassle.
You can also check out our previous practical tips for long-distance travel in an electric car.
Are high-profile departures still a sensitive issue?
Yes, let's be honest. The start of the summer season can still cause congestion at certain stations, especially during peak hours and on heavily trafficked routes.
It’s the same principle as at gas stations or highway rest stops: when everyone leaves at the same time, the infrastructure is under greater strain. The difference is that charging takes longer than a typical refueling, which makes planning ahead even more important.
However, there are a few simple steps you can take to avoid much of the stress: leave early, charge your vehicle before rush hour, avoid arriving with the battery nearly empty, and don’t limit yourself to the most obvious charging stations. Stations located in parking lots at shopping centers, hotels, or busy areas can offer attractive alternatives, especially when they’re accessible 24/7.
Once again, it’s not just about the number of charging stations. It’s about their location, their power capacity, their availability, and the overall user experience.
And what about the environmental impact?
For many drivers, switching to electric vehicles isn’t just a matter of economics or convenience. There’s also a desire to reduce the environmental impact of their travel.
An electric car emits no CO₂ while in use, but its environmental benefits also depend on the source of the electricity used to charge it. This is a point that is often overlooked. The more carbon-free or renewable the electricity is, the more environmentally sound the vehicle is.
This is precisely one of Dream Energy’s goals: to view charging not simply as plugging into an outlet, but as a link in an energy ecosystem. Generating renewable electricity, supplying it, and then using it to power charging stations helps give greater meaning to the transition to electric vehicles.
So going on vacation in an electric car isn’t just about switching engines. It’s also about thinking about the energy we use to get around.
So, will it really be possible to go on vacation in an electric car in 2026?
Yes. And for many drivers, the experience will actually be easier than they imagine.
But there’s one thing you have to accept: driving an electric vehicle requires a different approach to planning your trip. It’s not necessarily more complicated, but it does require more advance planning. You don’t drive exactly the same way as you would in a gas-powered vehicle. You plan your route in stages, take advantage of breaks, choose your charging stations, and leave yourself a little leeway.
By 2026, electric cars will be perfectly suited for vacations—provided you know what to do. Infrastructure is improving, usage patterns are maturing, and charging networks are becoming more visible, faster, and better integrated into everyday life.
Perhaps the real change, when it comes down to it, lies here: charging is no longer just a technical stop. It’s becoming a break in the journey.
And if this stop is quick, reliable, conveniently located, and powered by renewable energy, then going on vacation in an electric car really makes sense.
