Travelling from Sussex to Northern France as a family, especially when managing different needs and challenges, is always an adventure. This year, we decided to take it a step further by embarking on an all-electric road trip in the seven-seater Kia EV9. Our journey wasn’t just about exploring Eurocamp and Disneyland Paris; it was also a test of the viability of long-distance travel in an EV, especially when crossing borders into France.
While our trip was largely enjoyable and inclusive, it did present some unique challenges – particularly with the EV charging infrastructure in France. Along the way, we even had an unexpected encounter with Chris Harris, the former Top Gear presenter, who confessed to a secret fondness for electric vehicles. This blog details the highlights of our journey, the hurdles we faced with EV charging, and how the Kia EV9 impressed us throughout.
The Journey Begins: From Kent to Northern France
My wife, two children, and my in-laws started our trip from Kent, making the most of the Flexi Plus lounge at Le Shuttle. It’s a convenient way to cross the Channel, and the lounge offered plenty of snacks and drinks to take along for the drive.
Here, we had an unexpected encounter with Chris Harris.
While waiting in the lounge, Chris, the well-known TV personality and former Top Gear presenter, was fending off middle-aged men discussing horsepower and other “horse bi-products” As a man in my 50s, I couldn’t resist striking up a conversation with him. To my surprise, Chris revealed that he is secretly a fan of EVs – something he doesn’t often discuss publicly. He even owns one, though he joked about keeping that fact quiet. We soon reminisced about last year’s London to Brighton to Paris event, which celebrated electric mobility. Chris expressed interest in potentially joining future events, sharing his enthusiasm for the long- distance capabilities of EVs. It was refreshing to hear such excitement about electric vehicles from someone so connected to high-performance fossil hampered motors.
A shared frustration was the lack of EV charging on the UK side of the Flexi Plus area – an oversight given the growing number of electric vehicles making the trip. You can charge at the main terminal where Tesla chargers, now compatible with most new EVs, are available. But as we were committed to the posh lounge, we couldn’t top up. Going back through customs wasn’t an option, so we had to push forward, relying on the charging facilities on the French side. Fortunately, they were more accommodating. Unfortunately, I hadn’t fully charged the Kia EV9 the night before, so we limped to the first available charger in France, muttering a few choice words (in French, naturally). Once charged, we had about a three-hour drive ahead of us to Eurocamp’s popular family-friendly parc, La Croix du Vieux Pont.
Eurocamp have a huge amount of parks in and around Europe and all are fabulous value for money. A lot of them now have EV charging as standard and it will serve you well to have a quick look through their site.
Driving the Kia EV9
The Kia EV9, on loan from Tates of Brighton, was a joy to drive. With its 300-mile range, it handled all terrains with ease – essential for navigating some of France’s more rural roads. The EV9’s rapid charging capability, which can bring the battery from 0 to 80% in just 20 minutes, kept us on the move. The vehicle-to-load function was a handy feature, allowing us to stop and make a cup of coffee (or use hairdryers and straighteners, as my third-row passengers were quick to discover!).
The Challenges of Charging an EV in France
While the Kia EV9 was a pleasure to drive, navigating France’s EV charging infrastructure wasn’t without its difficulties. Finding charging points in rural areas was a challenge. The major cities and highways, including the Peage, are well-equipped, but chargers become increasingly scarce off the beaten path. Although many charging points appeared on our apps, some had been vandalised or were out of service.
Even when we found chargers, app connectivity was a frequent issue. UK charging apps often work in France, but they don’t always connect reliably, meaning we sometimes couldn’t start or complete a charge without a call to the support centre in “Franglais”. On a few occasions, the charging process froze, leaving us unable to disconnect. Thankfully, the Kia EV9 has a pull cord that allows you to manually release the charging cable – without it, we could easily have missed some critical stops, or worse, our train back to the UK.
Driving on the French Peage
The French Peage roads and the B C and D roads offer a smooth driving experience, and the Kia EV9 thrived on these highways. On the toll roads we covered about 120 miles for around €15, with shorter distances costing between €3 and €4. In terms of charging costs, it was comparable to the UK, though motorway services were steeper at around €40 for a full charge, while B-road stations were more affordable. However, the layout of some charging stations wasn’t always user-friendly, especially when designed for left-hand drive vehicles. Despite the fully loaded car and high speeds, the EV9’s range remained consistent. It comfortably cruised at 80 mph, and the advanced climate control ensured that everyone, including those with mobility challenges, remained comfortable.
Eurocamp: Sumptuous Cabins and Family Fun
Upon arriving at Eurocamp’s La Croix du Vieux Pont, we were delighted to find on-site 22kW EV chargers. This allowed us to charge the EV9 while enjoying the park’s fantastic facilities.
Eurocamp is a perfect destination for families with diverse needs. The well-appointed cabins we stayed in offered accessible ramps, and the park itself was packed with activities, from fishing and pedal boats on the lake to indoor and outdoor pools, health clubs, and a gym. Evening entertainment included a bowling alley, nightclub, multiple restaurants, and a pizzeria.
The pools, fitted with ramps and hoists, ensured that everyone could join in the fun, regardless of their mobility challenges. On one of our days, we made the short trip to Marne-la-Vallée, home to Disneyland Paris.
Disneyland Paris: Magical and Accessible
No trip to Northern France is complete without visiting Disneyland Paris. Just over an hour’s drive from La Croix du Vieux Pont, Disneyland offers accessibility features that made it a magical experience for our group.
Step-free access to many attractions, like “It’s a Small World” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” allowed our group to enjoy the rides. For our family member with autism, the AudioSpot mobile app was a game-changer, offering a guided experience and helping them manage sensory inputs.
Disneyland’s reserved spaces for disabled guests at parades and shows were also a great help, preventing long periods of standing for those with arthritis or limited mobility. Encounters with Disney characters were fully accessible, and the cast members were incredibly accommodating. The disabled parking is vast and close to the entrance and they’re fully set up for EV charging
Reflections on EV Charging in Rural France
Our trip showed that while EV charging in rural France can be challenging, careful planning and the right vehicle – like the Kia EV9 – can make all the difference. The vehicle’s impressive range and rapid charging capabilities helped us manage these hurdles with relative ease.
Although we experienced some frustrations with app connectivity and manual disconnection, the trip was a success. As EV adoption grows, the infrastructure will likely improve, making electric road trips across Europe even easier. Our journey was a valuable learning experience, and the Kia EV9 exceeded our expectations in terms of comfort, effciency, and performance.
If you’re planning an electric road trip, Northern France is well worth the drive, offering stunning scenery, inclusive destinations like Eurocamp and Disneyland Paris, and a growing EV infrastructure.
Fact Box
- Disneyland Paris Contact Details
www.disneylandparis.com - Le Shuttle Contact Details
To book your crossing with Le Shuttle go to:
www.leshuttle.com/ - Tates of Sussex
www.tatesofsussex.co.uk
Phone: +44 1273 263263
Available EVs: Kia EV9, Hyundai Kona Electric, Peugeot e-2008 - Eurocamp Contact Details
www.eurocamp.co.uk
Phone: +44 1606 787125
Email: customerservice@eurocamp.co.uk - Eurocamp Highlights
Eurocamp have 400+ parcs across Europe
Family-friendly and accessible accommodations
Kids’ clubs, pools, sports facilities, and entertainment for all ages
Weekly coach service to Disneyland Paris from La Croix du Vieux Pont - La Croix du Vieux Pont Key Facts
La Croix du Vieux Pont can be found here
Location: Vic-sur-Aisne, Aisne Valley, France 623 pitches, large parc
Nearest port: Calais (241 km)
Facilities: 4 pools, waterslides, lagoon, bowling, mini-golf, archery On-site 22kW EV chargers - For more information on driving an EV to any of the wonderful Eurocamps across the continent check out:
www.eurocamp.co.uk/information/travel/electric-car
About the author
Back in 2020 two Brighton friends, Bill and Tom, were chatting about The Big Lemon’s transition to an electric bus fleet. Tom mentioned that he’d like to do some kind of challenge to see how well the electric buses perform and Bill suggested inviting other vehicles to join the challenge. One thing led to another and the London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally was born.
