Travelling around Spain in an electric car: charging and a plan B
A guide to preparing an electric road trip with compatible stops, checked price and payment information, and alternatives for incidents.
Key points
A long trip in an electric car is prepared by checking three layers of information: WLTP range as a type-approval comparison reference, the features and status of each charging point, and a compatible alternative before setting off. Planning should verify the connector, published power, opening hours, price and payment method for the selected stops.
The short answer: plan the charging and the contingency too
Planning an electric car trip requires more than looking at the type-approval range. Prepare a route with stops whose compatibility you have checked, review the published conditions of use and note an alternative for sections where an incident could alter the journey.
WLTP range is useful for comparing vehicles. The WLTP procedure records electric range and electricity consumption results in different phases and in the combined cycle; it does not constitute a consumption promise for a specific trip.
The practical rule is not to rely on a single station for a crucial leg. Before setting off, choose a main stop and a compatible alternative, and keep their location, connectors, opening hours, price and payment details.
Section references: Reglamento (UE) 2017/1151: procedimiento WLTP ↗
- Map out the main stops and an alternative for every crucial leg.
- For each point, note the location, connectors, current type, published power, opening hours, price and payment method.
- Save the route and alternative details in the navigation system or on your phone before starting the trip.
- Review the publicly available information before deciding on an important stop.
Which charging details affect each stop
Start by checking the specific connector at each point and whether it is compatible with the vehicle. Also distinguish whether the point supplies alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC), and whether its format is socket — an outlet — or plug — a cable integrated into the equipment. These are different characteristics that should be checked before choosing a station.
The published maximum power alone is not the same as the power a particular car will receive. Spanish regulations define it as the maximum rated power at which the point can operate under normal conditions for a given connector. Power is therefore useful for comparing points, but it should be read together with the connector and charging type.
WLTP range serves a different purpose: it is a result of the type-approval procedure. It can be used as a comparison reference, whereas choosing a stop requires checking the published characteristics of that specific point.
Section references: Orden TED/445/2023 ↗ · Reglamento (UE) 2017/1151: procedimiento WLTP ↗
- Check the station's specific connector and its compatibility with the vehicle.
- Distinguish the charging type: AC or DC.
- Check the connector format: socket or plug.
- Compare the published maximum power together with the connector and current type.
- Use WLTP range as a type-approval and comparison reference, not as a promise for a specific journey.
Find infrastructure, but check the stop conditions
For initial filtering in Spain, you can use the open data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO). Its scope is nationwide and includes points on public roads, charging hubs, service stations and shopping centres. The information makes it possible to check the location, operator details and features such as connector and power.
The public Ruta-e app adds filters by vehicle type, connector and opening hours; it shows addresses, opening hours, available connectors and power ratings, and includes a route planner based on the preferences defined by the user. It can help preselect a station and alternative options along the itinerary.
MITECO's REVE map provides dynamic status data — available, occupied, reserved or out of service — as well as price, maximum power and payment method. Check this data before deciding on an important stop and keep a documented alternative.
Section references: Mapa REVE y datos dinámicos de recarga ↗ · App Ruta-e ↗ · Datos abiertos: puntos de recarga de vehículos eléctricos ↗
- Check that the published address and access fit your itinerary.
- Filter by connector and opening hours before choosing a stop.
- Review the dynamic status, price and payment available for the selected point.
- If a location has several connectors, validate the characteristics of the connector you intend to use.
Compatibility, price and payment: the list that avoids surprises
Before setting off, turn each stop into a short record. It should include the address, exact connector, AC or DC, socket or plug format, published maximum power, opening hours, applicable price and payment method. This check helps distinguish a location that appears useful from a station with a confirmed compatible connector and charging format; published power remains information about the point.
Also save the price and payment method, especially when comparing several alternatives. Spanish regulations define the ad hoc price and state that it must be expressed, at a minimum, in euros per unit of energy or time. European regulations specify that, before an ad hoc charge of at least 50 kW, the price per kWh and, where applicable, the occupancy fee per minute must be shown. Below 50 kW, components are shown in this order: kWh, minute, session and others.
Do not assume that all points are paid for in the same way. At public points of 50 kW or more deployed from 13 April 2024, ad hoc charging must be possible using a payment instrument widely used in the Union. Below 50 kW, an internet-connected device, such as a QR code, may be used for a secure transaction. Check the stated method for the station before including it in the plan.
Section references: Mapa REVE y datos dinámicos de recarga ↗ · Orden TED/445/2023 ↗ · Reglamento (UE) 2023/1804 sobre infraestructura para combustibles alternativos ↗
- Connector: confirmed as compatible with the vehicle.
- Current type and format: AC or DC; socket or plug.
- Power: published maximum for the point's connector.
- Cost: €/kWh and, where stated, charges by time, session or occupancy.
- Activation: payment method identified for the selected station.
Design each stop with a documented alternative
Plan B means selecting another station before setting off, not merely looking for one when an incident arises. For every important stop, note an alternative and check its location, opening hours, connector, charging type, format, published power, price and payment method.
Prioritise alternatives with published, checkable details on location, connector, opening hours, price and payment method. Ruta-e can locate points according to vehicle, connector and opening-hour preferences, while REVE reports statuses such as available, occupied, reserved or out of service, as well as price, maximum power and payment method.
Before changing a stop, check the publicly available information again for both the main station and the alternative. The aim is to decide between points with published data on compatibility and conditions of use, rather than relying on a single option.
Section references: Mapa REVE y datos dinámicos de recarga ↗ · App Ruta-e ↗
- Main stop: location, compatibility, cost and activation identified.
- Alternative: address, opening hours, connector, current type, power and payment noted.
- Dynamic information: check the published status for relevant options.
- Decision: compare the main station's and alternative's characteristics before choosing.
What each source provides and how to decide during the trip
Planning is more robust when a single source is not expected to answer everything. WLTP provides a type-approval reference for electric range and electricity consumption; public infrastructure tools help identify and check stations; and REVE's dynamic data allow you to consult the status and conditions of use published on the map.
The table summarises what each piece of information can help you decide and its limitation. Use it as a sequence: filter and preselect before leaving, validate the connector, charging type, price and activation, then check the available dynamic data before deciding on a relevant stop.
| Information source | Data it provides | Decision it helps you make | What it does not confirm on its own |
|---|---|---|---|
| WLTP | Electric range and electricity consumption results from the type-approval procedure, including phase and combined values. | Use a type-approval reference to compare vehicles. | The conditions at a specific station, its published status, price or payment method. |
| Public infrastructure data and Ruta-e | Location, operator details, connectors, power and, in Ruta-e, address, opening hours, vehicle and connector filters. | Preselect points and alternatives according to their published characteristics. | The dynamic status of a station at a specific moment. |
| REVE map | Available, occupied, reserved or out-of-service status; price, maximum power and payment method. | Check the dynamic data and published conditions for a relevant stop. | Whether the connector is compatible with a particular vehicle. |
Section references: Mapa REVE y datos dinámicos de recarga ↗ · App Ruta-e ↗ · Datos abiertos: puntos de recarga de vehículos eléctricos ↗ · Orden TED/445/2023 ↗ · Reglamento (UE) 2017/1151: procedimiento WLTP ↗
- Before departure: preselect stops and alternatives using infrastructure data.
- Before choosing a station: validate the connector, charging type, format, price and payment method.
- For a relevant stop: check the dynamic status published in REVE.
- On arrival: check the conditions shown for the point before starting the charge.
Should I calculate the trip using WLTP range?
Use it as a type-approval reference to compare vehicles. The WLTP procedure records electric range and electricity consumption results, but it does not constitute a consumption promise for a specific trip.
Will a high-power charger always charge my car at that power?
Not necessarily. Published power is the maximum rated power at which the point can operate under normal conditions for a given connector. Also check the connector, current type and socket or plug format.
What should I save about an alternative stop?
At a minimum, the address, opening hours, exact connector, AC or DC, socket or plug format, published power, price and payment method. Ruta-e can help preselect options using filters by vehicle, connector and opening hours.
How do I know whether I can pay without an app?
Check the payment method stated for that point. For public points of 50 kW or more deployed from 13 April 2024, ad hoc charging must accept a payment instrument widely used in the Union; at lower-power points, an internet-connected device, such as a QR code, may be used.
