Are UK holiday park operators jumping on the EV journey?
New study reveals two-thirds of UK holiday parks lack EV charging points
Our study analysing official ZapMap data reveals that the majority of UK holiday parks are not yet equipped to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging, with 61% of locations lacking onsite charging facilities. As EV adoption continues to accelerate, holiday park operators face an urgent need to upgrade and expand their infrastructure.
The study, which analysed over 113 locations from 16 of the best-rated UK holiday parks (identified by Which?), highlights a significant opportunity for the sector to attract eco-conscious travellers by investing in EV charging capabilities.
Center Parcs leads the charge
Center Parcs emerges as the leader in EV-friendly holiday parks, boasting over 512 charging sockets across all its UK sites. The top-ranked locations in Bedfordshire and Nottinghamshire alone offer 112 charging sockets each, setting a strong standard for the industry.
Warner Hotels in the Cotswolds, with 46 charging sockets, is another strong contender behind Center Parcs.
Adam Hall, Director at Drax Electric Vehicles, emphasised the competitive advantage for operators who invest in EV infrastructure: “As electric vehicles become the norm, holiday parks that provide EV charging options will benefit from a growing segment of eco-conscious travellers.
“While it’s admirable to see certain businesses make significant strides, there is room for improvement to make to meet demand. Our findings underscore the potential for holiday park operators to differentiate themselves in a competitive market by enhancing their EV facilities.”
Parkdean Resorts and Hoburne Holidays aren’t far behind in the ranking for most EV-friendly holiday park operators, with 90% of locations analysed offering EV charging onsite. However, they fall behind on the volume of charging sockets available.
Regional disparities highlight room for growth
The study also reveals substantial regional differences in EV charging availability. The South of England stands out, with over two-thirds of the top 20 EV-friendly holiday parks located in the region, including notable sites in Cornwall, Dorset and Hampshire.
Source: Drax Electric Vehicles
Adam Hall continues to share: “If hospitality businesses want to keep pace with their competitors, they should invest now in good EV charging facilities. It will help to attract new customers as well as better serving their existing ones.
“Customers are likely to spend more during their visit if drivers are there for longer, charging their vehicles. Combining this additional spend with any profits made for charging makes it easy to see the business benefits and return on investment.”
Calls for further EV charging expansion
While 75% of the holiday park operators analysed offer EV charging at some locations, half of these have installed fewer than 25 charging sockets across all their sites. This shortfall signifies the need for more comprehensive infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of EV drivers.
Naomi Nye, Head of Sales at Drax Electric Vehicles, urges holiday park operators to act now:
“There’s over a million EVs on UK roads with numbers set to rise. However, our analysis has found that the majority of hospitality businesses don’t yet have enough charging facilities in place to capitalise on the financial opportunities presented by this growing market.
Holiday parks who invest now will not only meet rising demand but also position themselves ahead of the impending ICE ban.”
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