Listen to podcast
#12 Taking an electric car on holiday: making travel easy
Shaping Mobility – The Volkswagen Podcast – Episode 12

The podcast hosts Verena Geyer and Ralf Blasig talk to experts about taking an electric car on holiday. With us on the podcast: Elke Temme, SVP “Charging & Energy” at Volkswagen Group Technology, Silke Bagschik, Head of Volkswagen’s E-Cars Series, Robin Schmid, YouTuber (Robin TV) and Matthias Vogt, ADAC.

Is taking an electric car on holiday feasible? Yes, with more than 300,000 charging stations in Europe alone and ranges for everyday use, travelling is made easy. Volkswagen’s electric cars have a very spacious interior, are sustainable to drive, and provide support with driver assistance systems. But where do I find the nearest available charging station? How does rapid charging work? And what is the best way to prepare for taking an electric car on holiday? We provide tips and answer the most important questions in the podcast.
Talking with experts, podcast hosts Verena and Ralf learn the following:
- Don’t worry about not having enough range: modern e-models are suitable for longer journeys as well. The car battery isn’t the only factor, the main factor is (rapid) charging options on the route and at the holiday destination.
- VW’s electric cars are comfortable, sustainable and digitally connected. The journey is not only smooth and environmentally friendly, it is also user-friendly thanks to the e-route planner and the lane departure warning system.
- Plan ahead: charging stops can be optimally combined with breaks from driving. Also important: the vehicle check before the holiday and enough supplies for the journey.
The experts
We already have significantly more than 300,000 charging stations throughout Europe. It doesn’t take long to find a charging station on popular routes.
Elke Temme is Senior Vice President of Charging & Energy at Volkswagen Group Technology. She is also CEO of Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH (Elli). As a Volkswagen Group brand, Elli provides solutions where e-mobility and the energy revolution meet – such as wallboxes or Volkswagen Naturstrom. Before joining Volkswagen, Elke Temme was employed by energy company RWE/innogy.
Driving an electric car is very calming. Top tip: switch on Travel Assist and relax while cruising.
Dr. Silke Bagschik is head of the electric MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) series at Volkswagen. This means she is responsible for the modern electric cars of the ID. family. The industrial engineer is tasked with helping e-mobility make its breakthrough and getting customers excited about the new technology. Silke Bagschik was previously head of Sales and Marketing for the e-mobility series.
Rapid charging is more important than a really long range. You don’t need to worry about range.
Robin is the founder and creative mind behind Robin TV. He is passionate and full of character as he shares his convictions when it comes to electromobility and sustainability with his audience. Almost 50,000 subscribers regularly watch Robin TV’s videos.
Before going on holiday: check congestion forecasts. Avoid peak travel times where possible.
Matthias Vogt has been the electromobility and charging infrastructure expert at the ADAC technical centre in Landsberg for almost four years now. Before that he was a consultant for innovation, trends and technologies for five years, where he was involved in the accompanying and impact research of the electromobility showcase.