Electric driving in the Eifel: route, charging stops, and tips for EV drivers

I'll be honest: the Eifel isn't at the top of the list for many Dutch EV drivers. The Ardennes are better known, Germany feels further away, and the Nürburgring association makes people think the area is for petrolheads. Unjustly so.

Antoon and I have driven through the Eifel multiple times now, and I can tell you: this is one of the most beautiful areas for electric driving I know. Volcanic crater lakes, roads through dense forests, almost no traffic, and a landscape you simply don't expect so close to home.

This is what I would have wanted to know before driving there for the first time.

Why the Eifel works so well for an EV

The Eifel is less than an hour and a half's drive from South Limburg. That alone makes it special. You don't need a whole day to get there; you can just drive there early and enjoy it thoroughly.

What makes it so interesting for an EV is the elevation profile. From the river valleys at about 150 meters to the plateaus above 700 meters, you are constantly changing elevation. You use power on the ascents, but regenerative braking returns much of that consumption on the descents. My consumption in the Eifel is almost always favorable compared to a similar trip on the highway.

Plus: the silence. Driving an electric car through an empty Eifel valley, with only the sound of tires on asphalt, is simply a different experience than with an internal combustion engine. That might sound ethereal, but you really notice it.

How much range do you need?

A day trip through the Eifel typically covers between 200 and 280 kilometers, depending on how far you go and whether you take extra detours. What I use as a guideline:

• 200 to 300 km WLTP: easily doable with one charging stop; plan it during lunch so you don't lose extra time
• 300 km WLTP or more: you'll drive the day without worries, even without an intermediate stop
• Less than 200 km WLTP: depart fully charged and plan two charging moments; that's simply realistic

What many people underestimate is the effect of cold weather and highway kilometers when traveling to the Eifel. On the A61 at 120 km/h, you quickly lose 15 to 20 percent of your range compared to the WLTP value. Always factor that in before you leave.

The best charging stops in the Eifel

Good news: the Eifel has significantly improved for EV drivers in recent years. These are the locations I use myself or that our participants regularly mention:

Ionity A61 near Mendig
This is where I always charge when coming from the Netherlands. Directly on the A61, multiple fast charging points, and you're there as soon as you cross the border. Ideal if you want to keep charging outside the Eifel and just drive during the day itself.

Fastned Mayen
Mayen is nicely located in the center of the Eifel, and Fastned has a reliable presence there. Convenient as a stopover on a round trip, especially if you also want to include the Nürburgring area.

Gerolstein city center
Gerolstein is a nice stopover anyway. Central in the Vulkaneifel, a few charging points in and around the center, and the city simply has character. Easy to combine with a coffee or a short walk.

Tesla Supercharger Daun
For Tesla drivers, Daun is the standard. In the middle of the Vulkaneifel, always available, and you are literally among the crater lakes. Combine with a round trip along the Meerfelder Maar, which is a five-minute drive.

What I always do: set ABRP to hilly terrain, put a Type 2 cable in the trunk, and leave with a full battery. That's all you need.

The roads you don't want to miss

This is the part that excites me. The Eifel has a handful of roads you simply must know if you're driving there:

Around Daun and the crater lakes
The Vulkaneifel is the most special part of the region. Round lakes that used to be volcanic craters, surrounded by forests and roads that are just right for a sporty EV. The route along the Meerfelder Maar and the Pulvermaar is not long but very beautiful. And the road to it is too.

The B258 towards the Nürburgring
I know, the Nürburgring sounds like petrol territory. But the B258 is just a great road. Good width, beautiful curves, views over the Eifel plateaus. You don't have to go on the Nordschleife to enjoy what the area has to offer.

The Ahr valley towards Adenau
The Ahr is a small river, but the valley is spectacular. Narrow road, high walls, dense forest on both sides, and hardly any traffic on most days. One of my favorite stretches in the entire region.

Around the Rursee
The Rursee is on the border of the Eifel and the Ardennes and offers a slightly calmer kind of driving pleasure. Less sporty than the Vulkaneifel, but the view over the lake is worth it. Good as a closer to the day.

Eifel or Ardennes: what do you choose?

We often get this question at Tour Electric. My honest answer is that I find it difficult to compare them because they are simply different.

The Ardennes feel wilder. The roads are narrower, the bends sharper, and places like Malmedy and Spa give the day a specific Belgian character. If you're looking for maximum cornering intensity, the Ardennes win.

The Eifel is quieter. More space, fewer tourists, a more open landscape. The crater lakes give the region something unique that the Ardennes don't have. If you want to drive all day without crowds and with an occasional moment to simply stop and look, the Eifel is the better choice.

We do both. Also read our guide on electric driving in the Ardennes if you want to compare.

A few more practical things

Navigation
Set your navigation to scenic routes or avoid highways once you're in the Eifel. The shortest route is almost never the most beautiful. The A61 gets you there quickly, but after that, driving slower on the smaller roads is simply better.

Clothing and weather
The plateaus in the Eifel can be chilly even in August. Always bring an extra layer. In autumn, by the way, the Eifel is at its best: red-yellow forests, empty asphalt, and cool temperatures that your EV will appreciate.

When to depart
Early. The roads are empty in the morning, the charging stations are free, and the light in the Eifel valleys early in the morning is simply beautiful. We always start our tours early, and that's no coincidence.

Want to join Tour Electric?

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Antoon and I are organizing the Eifel Ignition. A full day of driving through the Eifel with a planned route, lunch along the way, a GPX file for your navigation, and a small group of drivers who are just as excited about it as you are.

We drive with a maximum of 15 cars. A large portion of the spots are already taken.

Want to be there? Check out the Eifel Ignition and reserve your spot.