THE festive season is set to bring travel woes to millions of Britons, as heavy traffic is expected to cause long delays on five major UK motorways.

The M1, M5, M6, M25, and M60 have been identified as hotspots for congestion during the last weekend before Christmas.

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With close to 16 million cars expected to hit the roads on December 23 and Christmas Eve, drivers should brace for severe disruptions.

And the increasing popularity of electric vehicles adds a new layer to holiday travel challenges.

An estimated 300,000 new EV drivers have joined the roads this year.

This means that demand for charging bays at motorway service stations is likely to soar, leaving them as the most affected group of motorists.

While nearly half of the UK’s 114 motorway service stations now boast six or more high-speed 150kW chargers, the surge in demand during peak times could lead to long waits.

The problem mirrors scenes from Christmas 2022, where Tesla drivers queued for hours at South Mimms and Tebay service stations.

Adrian Fielden-Gray, COO of Be.EV, urged EV drivers to plan strategically.

He told the Express: “Charging queues should be the least of your worries.

“A small shift in how and where you charge can save time and frustration.”

Fielden-Gray highlighted the growing availability of EV charging points at supermarkets, retail parks, and restaurants near motorways.

These locations often provide a quieter and faster alternative to service station chargers, allowing drivers to run errands or relax while topping up.

Drivers are encouraged to consider nearby alternatives to avoid delays.

On the M60, for example, there are charging points at Sale Water Park and Decathlon Stockport.

Options along the M25 include Tesco Extra Lakeside and Miller & Carter Sevenoaks.

On the M6, NEC East Car Park in Birmingham and IMO Carlisle are viable alternatives.

And for those driving along the M1, Sainsbury’s Fosse Park in Leicester and Victoria Street Car Park in Nottingham are among the suggestions.

The combination of heavy traffic and the seasonal rush to spend Christmas with loved ones is set to test the patience of drivers nationwide.

Planning ahead, avoiding peak travel times, and considering alternative charging locations will be crucial for a smoother journey.

Check out the full list of recommended off-motorway EV chargers below for more options on how to dodge chaos on the road:

M60:

• Sale Water Park, Rifle Road, Sale, M33 2LX
• Decathlon Stockport, George’s Road, Stockport, SK4 1DN
• White City Retail Park, Chester Road, Manchester, M16 0RP

M25:

• Waitrose Cobham, 16 Oakdene Road, Cobham, KT11 1AF
• Shell Chiswell, 551 Watford Road, St Albans, AL2 3EH
• Tesco Extra Lakeside, Cygnet View, Grays, RM20 1TX

M6:

• NEC East Car Park 3, Birmingham, B40 1PW
• Birchley Island, Wolverhampton Road, Sandwell, B69 4RJ
• IMO Carlisle, London Road, Carlisle, CA1 2PD

M1:

• McDonald’s Meridian Way, Leicester, LE19 1WZ
• Hickory’s Smokehouse, Nottingham, NG16 1PT
• Sheffield Parkway Central Retail Park, Sheffield, S2 5AU