7 days ago

Switzerland is made for summer road trips. Think crystal-clear lakes, dramatic Alpine passes, vineyard terraces, palm-lined promenades and charming mountain villages, often just a few hours apart. Travelling by electric vehicle makes the journey even better: quieter driving, lower local emissions, smooth performance and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
An EV road trip in Switzerland is also easier than ever. The country’s charging network continues to grow. Based on Swiss federal figures, Switzerland counted 18,284 public charging points across 8,535 locations as of April 2026. Switzerland Tourism also promotes the E-Grand Tour of Switzerland, a scenic route designed specifically for electric vehicles.
That means a summer getaway by EV is not only realistic. It is one of the most comfortable, flexible and sustainable ways to discover Switzerland.
Whether you are planning a weekend escape, a family holiday or a longer Swiss road trip, these are some of the best summer destinations in Switzerland to visit with an electric vehicle.
Switzerland is compact, scenic and well connected. Distances between major destinations are manageable, roads are well maintained, and many hotels, public car parks, motorway service areas and town centres now offer EV charging.
For travellers who do not own a car, flexible mobility solutions such as Astara Move make the experience even easier. You can access an electric vehicle when you need it, enjoy the comfort of private travel and avoid the long-term commitment of traditional car ownership.
An EV is especially practical for:
With smart planning, your charging stops can become part of the holiday: a lakeside lunch, a village walk, a mountain cable car excursion or a coffee break with a view.
1. Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region
Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s best summer destinations for an EV road trip. Set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, it offers easy access to alpine views, turquoise lakes, hiking trails and famous places like Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch.
It works well for EV travel because Interlaken is a practical base with charging options in and around the town. You can park, charge and use short scenic drives, trains or mountain transport to explore the surrounding villages and valleys.
Best for: families, outdoor lovers and first-time visitors
Scenic route: Bern to Thun, then along Lake Thun to Interlaken
Top things to do: lake cruises, paragliding, hiking, Lauterbrunnen Valley, Jungfraujoch
EV tip: charge in Interlaken before heading into smaller alpine villages.
2. Lake Geneva and Montreux
Lake Geneva and Montreux are ideal for a relaxed summer EV getaway. The region combines lake views, vineyard terraces, elegant towns, cultural events and easy scenic drives between Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey and Montreux.
It is especially convenient for electric car travel because distances between towns are short and charging options are increasingly available in urban centres, hotels, public car parks and motorway service areas.
Best for: couples, culture lovers and foodies
Scenic route: Geneva to Lausanne, then through Lavaux to Vevey and Montreux
Top things to do: Chillon Castle, Lavaux vineyards, lake cruises, Montreux promenade, Vevey old town
EV tip: plan a charging stop during lunch or a lakeside walk in Lausanne, Vevey or Montreux.
3. Ticino: Lugano, Ascona and Locarno
Ticino brings a Mediterranean feel to a Swiss summer road trip. With palm-lined lake promenades, Italian-inspired food, sunny piazzas and beautiful villages, Lugano, Ascona and Locarno are perfect for a warm-weather escape.
The region is well suited to EV travel because the main destinations are close together. You can explore Lugano, Morcote, Bellinzona, Locarno and Ascona without long daily drives, while using larger towns as reliable charging points.
Best for: sun seekers, couples and slow travellers
Scenic route: Lucerne through the Gotthard route to Lugano, then onward to Locarno and Ascona
Top things to do: Lake Lugano, Monte Brè, Morcote, Ascona old town, Brissago Islands, Bellinzona castles
EV tip: charge in Lugano, Locarno or Bellinzona before visiting smaller villages or mountain valleys.
Before setting off, check the official Swiss EV charging infrastructure map (recharge-my-car.ch) . It shows public charging locations across the country and uses real-time data, making it a helpful tool for planning charging stops before and during your EV road trip.
For daily use on the road, apps such as Swisscharge, PlugShare or Chargemap can also help you find nearby chargers, check station details and plan convenient stops while travelling.