Top 10 electric activities to enjoy this summer – Move Electric
As part of a new series exploring electric mobility in all its forms, we've compiled a list of some pure-electric activities you can partake in this summer...
Summer is here and the British weather is finally improving (well, fingers crossed). So it’s time to plan a spot of holiday fun.
Since we love everything electric, we’ve picked out nine exciting pure-electric experiences that you can enjoy across the UK in the coming months – and a tenth option if you fancy heading beyond these shores.
Converted electric classic VW Camper Van from eDub Trips (Yorkshire, England)
Fancy being one of the first people to unearth some of the United Kingdom’s hidden gems in a fully-electric Volkswagen Camper van? You don’t have to wait for the camper version of the new Volkswagen ID Buzz, because there’s an EV version of a ‘classic’ camper already available.
Based in Yorkshire, ‘Indie’ is a 1973 classic with a modern twist – no emissions, no fuel, just electrified fun and practicality. The bright green camper, created by the team at eDub, has a 65kW motor with a 26kWh battery and is available to hire from £150 per night, meaning you can go sightseeing during the day before charging up overnight at a local campsite ready to hit the road again.
Velis Electro Plane experience from Into The Blue (Essex, England)
If you fancy taking to the air on electric power alone, head to Essex for a flight experience in the Velis Electro – a fully certified electric light sports aircraft. It’s the first of its kind in the world, with a next-generation liquid-cooled battery providing a 50-minute flying range.
Starting from £179 for an hour-long experience, you’ll even get the chance to fly the plane yourself courtesy of a set of dual controls (don’t worry, a trained pilot will do most of the flying). It charges in the same way as an electric car, emits zero CO2 and doesn’t need warming up like a conventional plane. It’s just switch on, go, and enjoy the views.
ScooTours Ultimate London Guided tours (London, England)
Trying to tick off London’s landmarks in one day can be a tiring job, especially on a hot sunny day. ScooTours, in association with Dott, has an ideal solution. It provides groups of up to 10 people at a time the chance to tour the Capital via e-scooter. Priced at £50, you’ll have the chance to see the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament – covering approximately 7.5 miles over 3.5 hours.
Foil Ride eFoil First Flight experience (Menai Strait, North Wales)
An eFoil is a silent electric surfboard that rises above the water using a hydrofoil wing. If you don’t mind getting a bit wet and like the thrill of trying something new, the First Flight experience from Lift eFoil is the experience for you.
Based in the sheltered Menai Strait, North Wales, the £220 experience lasts three hours with a safety briefing and expert tuition.
GoBoat Canal experience (Birmingham, England)
Powered by a near-silent Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 electric outboard motor, GoBoat offers self-drive fully-electric boat hire, from Brindley Place in Birmingham. Suitable for all the family (including dogs), up to eight people can fit in a GoBoat, with an hour-long taster session starting from just £95. Customers can also explore the historic port loops during a two-hour session, which works out at £17 per person. Route maps, instructions, life jackets and buoyancy aids are all supplied, but you’ll need to bring your own picnic.
Vineyard e-bike tour from UK Electric Bike Centre (Biddenden, Kent)
How’s this for a relaxing trip: an e-bike ride through a quintessential Kent village, a pub garden lunch and a visit to the oldest vineyard in the county. Sounds good, right? It’s one of a number of food-and-drink-related e-bike trips on offer. Half-day electric cycle hire starts from 10am until 1pm, costs £35 and features a visit to the Balfour Winery on the Hush Heath Estate – and it’s a great way to try an e-bike for the first time in quiet surroundings.
Glencoe Segway Tour from Scottish Segway Centre (Oban, Scotland)
It’s breath-taking, romantic and the perfect venue for a Segway tour, either on your own or with friends and family. The Glencoe tour (between Oban and Fort William) takes you through the picturesque Dragon’s Tooth Golf course, before entering the stunning greenery of the Glenachulish Forest. These all-electric off-road Segways are suitable for all abilities and perfect for the terrain, with an adult session lasting 50 minutes and costing £35 inclusive of all equipment. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is available for £120.
Electric indoor Go Karts from TeamSport Indoor UK Karting (Farnborough, England)
The Great British weather means the odd rain-drenched day is a given – so here’s an indoors option. TeamSport Indoor UK Karting in Farnborough offers fully electric karts for you to put to the test indoors and is perfect for the whole family, groups of friends or just as a solo driver looking for some EV fun. The 800m track extends across two levels and features a host of crazy corners, while the electric karts can hit 40mph on the straights. A weekend 50-lap race costs less than £50, while taster sessions are even more affordable.
QuadQuest Electrifying Farm Ramble (Cotswolds, England)
What better way to explore The Cotswolds’ rolling hills and meadows than on an electric Quad Bike. The Challenger, organised by QuadQuest, is an old quarry course featuring a track full of twists, turns, humps and ditches. Starting from £85 per person based on two people booking, the one-and-a-half hour experience operates whatever the weather, so be sure to dress appropriately. If you just want to watch your children have a go, you can book the Rider package, which takes on a small loop around some simple obstacles.
Further afield
E-Grand Tour of Switzerland with Switzerland Travel Centre
The Swiss might have a reputation for things running like clockwork, but the country has also developed a special touring route for electric cars: the E-Grand Tour of Switzerland. Like Scotland's North Coast 500, it's open to all, but if you want the hassle taken out Switzerland Travel Centre will set you up with a Tesla for the 1000-mile trip.
A dense network of charging stations and hotels across the route, which runs from Bern to St. Moritz, guarantees comfortable, scenic and clean driving pleasure. The road trip is packed full of stops, with 46 top attractions, 22 lakes, five Alpine passes and 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites spread across eight stages. With a starting price of £2,659, Switzerland Travel Centre's package isn't cheap, but the nine-day, eight-night package includes Tesla hire and four- or five-star hotels throughout.
All details correct at time of press. Move Electric and What Car? are not responsible for the experiences included in this list and their appearance here is not an endorsement
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