BP Pulse has warned drivers to expect EV charging spikes this August bank holiday as it reveals the peak charging times over the weekend.

Demand for charging is set to increase by 5% over the bank holiday weekend, according to new data from the ultra-fast EV charging provider and drivers are advised to seek quieter times to charge their vehicles.

Based on analysis of last year’s charging activity, BP Pulse estimates it will deliver enough energy equivalent to powering over 2.75 million EV miles.

Friday and Saturday are likely to be the busiest days for EV charging during the bank holiday weekend, with peak demand typically occurring between 6pm and 8pm. Additional high-traffic periods include late mornings, particularly between 10am and 11am, as well as early mornings from 8am to 9am.

With this data in mind, the experts at BP Pulse are urging drivers to plan their journeys ahead of time.

Valerio Ferro, general manager at BP Pulse UK, commented: “The August bank holiday is always a busy time on the roads, and with EVs increasingly popular, we’re expecting to see higher demand for EV charging than ever before. However, the good news is that fast charging infrastructure has continued to grow significantly over the past 12 months, and BP Pulse’s network is available across the UK for EV drivers to stop off and top up their battery when they need it.”

Top tips from BP Pulse’s experts

• Plan your route in advance – including backup charging locations, to avoid potential delays.
• Charge during off-peak hours whenever possible – early mornings or late evenings often see lower demand.
• Look out for ultra-fast chargers – depending on your vehicle they can give you up to 80% charge in just around 20 minutes and will get you back on the road fast.
• Keep your battery between 20-80% – to optimise charging speed and reduce waiting time.
• Use real-time charger availability tools – to monitor queues and status updates.