Driving to Austria with an Electric Car: How to Do It?

Austria, the land of "wiener schnitzel" and "lederhosen", is also a favorite vacation destination for hiking, skiing, and cycling enthusiasts. With its excellent road network, Austria is perfect for a car trip. But is this network suitable for electric vehicles? Absolutely! Opt for a sustainable journey this year and discover everything you need to know for your trip to Austria.

Austria and Electric Vehicle Friendliness

Electric cars are a sustainable mobility solution. As they emit no CO², contributing to a greener future, many countries are promoting the transition to electric driving. The Austrian government is also encouraging e-mobility by offering various subsidies to individuals and businesses. By making green mobility more affordable, they hope more people will make the transition.

 

Currently, there are approximately 22,040 public charging stations in Austria, mainly located in Lower Austria, Vienna, and Tyrol, with numbers steadily increasing. In April 2023, 14,630 new EVs were registered in Austria, a 62.3% increase from the previous year.

On the way to Austria

When departing from Belgium towards Austria, you'll cross through Germany. Speaking of Germany, many think of unlimited speed driving! Contrary to popular belief, there are indeed speed limits on the German autobahns. The sections where you can speed up are limited and decreasing yearly, with the general speed limit being 130 km/h.

 

Good news! Germany has excellent charging infrastructure. All electric cars can easily recharge while in transit, often without leaving the highways. To get an overview of all charging stations in Germany, it’s advised to use the following apps:

 

For route planning, it’s best to use EV Navigation or A Better Route Planner. This way, you’ll always be informed of where you can or cannot go, the duration of your journey, and the length of your stops, etc.

Arriving in Austria

In Austria, finding a charging station is the least of an electric vehicle driver’s concerns. Along the highways, there are charging stations approximately every 80 kilometers. By 2030, the network will be expanded to have a charging station every 25 kilometers. In Austria, a charging station is called "E-Tankstelle".

 

On regular roads, it's also relatively easy to find charging stations, with one available approximately every 30 kilometers. The Austrian government aims to reduce this distance to a maximum of 15 kilometers by 2030.

  • Tip: You can also charge for free at many private charging points in Austria, like at supermarkets or restaurants.

 

The charging stations offer capacities of 50 kW, 150 kW, and sometimes even 350 kW, allowing cars to be charged in less than 30 minutes. To facilitate use by tourists, various payment options are offered, and instructions are available in multiple languages.

 

Information on charging points in Austria can be found via the above-mentioned websites, as well as through Place To Plug or an Austrian version like E-Tankstellen-Finder. These services are also available as mobile apps.

 

For more information on electric charging in Austria, you can check this website

Traveling Tips for Austria

When driving in Austria, be aware of the country's specific driving rules, including mandatory motorway vignettes, using winter tires during the winter season, and adhering to speed limits.

 

  • Vignettes and tolls: Vignettes are mandatory on Austrian motorways. You can choose between a traditional vignette, a sticker to be placed on your windshield, or a digital vignette linked to your license plate. More information on vignettes can be found here (please note the specific link wasn’t provided). You will pass through some toll stations on certain roads. Information on these toll stations can be found here (again, the specific link wasn’t provided).

 

  • Winter tires: During the winter period, you must use winter tires in Austria. From November 1st to April 15th, all vehicles must be equipped with winter tires when there’s snow, slush, or ice on the road.
  • Speed limits: Speed limits in Austria differ from those in Belgium:
  • Within built-up areas: 50 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas: 100 km/h
  • Motorways: 130 km/h

 

Trip example

Suppose we want to drive from Brussels to Salzburg with the BYD ATTO 3. According to EV Navigation, the journey should take approximately 11 hours, including five charging stops, each lasting between 20 and 35 minutes.

 

If you don’t want to stay in the car for too long, you can, of course, make a stop. After all, you're on vacation, which means it's time to enjoy. We recommend spending the night in Frankfurt, which is halfway through your journey. This way, you can experience the culture of this metropolis! A day in Frankfurt could include:

  • Visiting the beautiful old town
  • Discovering Frankfurt specialties
  • Exploring museums

 

After a day or two in the city, you can continue your journey to Austria. After 5 to 6 hours of driving, you’ll arrive in Salzburg, the jewel of Austria! Nestled in the heart of the Alps, this enchanting city offers a wonderful mix of natural beauty, rich history, and artistic treasures. What can you do here?

 

 

  • For shoppers: The historic center (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Wander through the winding streets and discover elegant Baroque architecture, charming squares, and graceful churches.
  • For music lovers: Visit Mozart’s birthplace, a museum dedicated to his life and work, and follow in the footsteps of this musical genius.
  • For nature lovers: Take a cruise on the Salzach River and admire the stunning Alpine scenery. Close to the city is the Salzkammergut, with crystal-clear lakes, hills reminiscent of 'The Sound of Music’, and charming villages.
  • For foodies : Taste the flavors of traditional Austrian cuisine, from hearty schnitzels to Mozartkugel, a delicious pastry.

Take away

Primarily, traveling with an electric vehicle is entirely feasible. This sustainable travel mode is increasingly promoted by governments across Europe. Significant efforts are made to develop a network that makes traveling with electric vehicles as easy and comfortable as possible. Let this inspire you to consider your (first) electric vehicle journey and become a pioneer!

 

We also recommend choosing a comfortable vehicle, and this is something we can assist you with. Check out all our cars, and who knows, perhaps you’ll be heading out with one of them this summer!