Everyone said it would be a disaster. Two kids, nearly 900 miles (each way), one electric car, and a family ski trip from London to the French Alps.
Spoiler: it wasn’t a disaster. It turned out to be one of our favourite family adventures yet. Here’s how it actually worked, what I learned along the way, and why the Polestar 4 turned a gargantuan journey into something I’d happily do again.
The Journey Begins
We set off from London with the all electric Polestar 4 fully charged at home on our myenergi zappi. Overnight charging on an off-peak tariff makes all the difference – waking up to 385 miles of range cost just a fraction of what a tank of petrol would have set us back.
From there it was straight to Folkestone for the Channel Tunnel. For anyone planning the trip, I’d recommend booking tickets in advance. There are four options ranging from the simple Saver ticket to the Flexi Plus package with priority boarding and lounge access. We went for the standard option and, as always, the kids loved the excitement of driving onto a train that disappears under the sea.
Navigating the UK
Our first stop was more of a “because we could” moment rather than a necessity. We dropped into a Tesla Supercharger near Folkestone just to test how the Polestar 4 would take it. Ten minutes later, we were back up at 90% battery and on our way.
Back home, we’d used Zapmap to plan the route and identify the best charging locations. It’s a brilliant tool for UK journeys, showing live availability and pricing. Having that peace of mind before crossing the Channel made the start of the trip far smoother.
Why Drive Instead of Fly?
It’s a fair question. Flying would have been quicker, but not greener. Driving the Polestar 4 was by far the most sustainable way to reach the Alps. No jet fuel, no endless airport queues, and far more flexibility when it came to packing. Freya had been packing for a week… and let’s just say the car’s generous boot space and front trunk (yes, the “frunk”) made that a lot easier.
Plus, there’s something about a road trip. Progress feels constant, you can enjoy the scenery and the journey becomes part of the adventure.
Charging on the Road
France is surprisingly well set up for EVs, although it wasn’t without its hiccups. We’d chosen a hotel halfway that advertised four 22 kW chargers, only to find them all occupied (two by cars that were already full). Luckily, we found a 150 kW rapid charger around the corner. Thirty minutes later, the Polestar was ready for the next leg.
That became a theme: public charging is easy when it works, frustrating when it doesn’t. But compared with filling up a diesel SUV, the savings were undeniable. My friend did the exact same journey in his Audi and spent £240 on fuel. Our total charging cost was a very palatable £150.
The Scenic Route
Tolls in France are expensive, but the roads are spectacular. At one point we decided to skip the motorway and detour through a national park. It added time, but the scenery alpine lakes, mountain passes, and quaint villages made it worth it.
Polestar has a saying: if you’re not willing to take the scenic route, you’re in the wrong car. I get it now.
Highlights Along the Way
One of the standout stops was Lake Annecy. The water was so clean it looked unreal, and for a while it felt like a holiday within a holiday. The kids loved it, and it was the perfect reminder of why we’d chosen to drive — having the freedom to explore places you’d never see from a plane window.
From there, the ascent into the Alps began. Steep climbs are energy hungry, but the Polestar handled it brilliantly. Quick top-ups at 150 kW chargers made sure we had plenty in the battery to reach our final stop: Bear Lodge in Les Arcs.
The Costs
Between tolls, hotels, food stops and charging, the trip wasn’t cheap. But compared to flying plus transfers, it stacked up. And for us, the memories from ping pong under the stars to Freya’s endless packing lists were priceless.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely. The Polestar 4 was a fantastic companion: comfortable, efficient, and spacious enough for all our gear (and then some). The kids enjoyed the journey, we avoided airport stress, and we cut our carbon footprint massively compared with flying.
Next time, we might even attempt the whole journey in a single day. Though whether the kids’ school will forgive us for missing another day… that’s another story.
Final Thought: If you’re considering a family EV road trip, don’t let range anxiety or charging myths put you off. With the right planning tools like Zapmap in the UK, an overnight home charge before you leave, and a bit of flexibility, it’s not just possible — it’s a brilliant way to travel.
