Roda Golf Resort Adds EV Charging Points for Autumn Guests

"Electric cars and a Spanish golf holiday don't mix." I've heard that one from visiting golfers more times than I can count, always said with total confidence. Roda Golf Resort has now added EV charging points for autumn guests, so this is a good moment to take the myths apart one at a time. I'll be blunt about it, because most of the worry comes from people who've never tried it.

Myths about driving electric around the Mar Menor

Myth: the distances will leave you stranded

Reality: this is one of the most compact corners of Spain. Cartagena, Murcia city, La Manga and the salt flats at San Pedro del Pinatar are all within about an hour of the resort. Most of the driving is flat, and much of it is short hops between Los Alcázares, Santiago de la Ribera and Lo Pagán.

A typical week for our guests is golf most mornings, a beach run, a Wednesday market wander and one big day out. That barely dents a modern battery. If you're worried about range, you're picturing a road trip across Spain. That isn't what a stay here looks like. Our guide to the Roda Golf area shows how close everything is.

Myth: autumn weather ruins your range

Reality: autumn is the best time of year for it. Batteries dislike extremes, and August's 35 degrees with the air conditioning flat out is harder on them than a mild October afternoon in the mid-20s. Cool mornings and warm middays suit an electric car very well.

The one weather warning is the autumn storms. When the heavy rain arrives, slow down and stay well away from any dry riverbed crossing. That advice applies whatever you're driving.

Myths about the new charging points at Roda Golf

Myth: you just plug in and forget about it

Reality: chargers at a resort are shared, and autumn is when the place fills up with golfers. Be considerate. Move the car once it's charged, and don't treat a bay as a parking space.

Many Spanish public chargers also want an app or a card before they'll do anything. I can't tell you how the resort's system works, and I'd rather say that than guess. Ask reception how access works before you travel, not while you're standing in the car park with a flat battery and a tee time in twenty minutes.

Myth: any plug will fit any car

Reality: Europe's standard AC connector is Type 2, and most cars sold here use it. The trap is the cable. It often isn't included with a hire car, and turning up without one is the most common mistake I see. Check with your hire firm when you book. Ask about the cable, and ask which app or card their car works with.

Airport hire fleets also don't always have many electric cars. If you want one, reserve it early.

Myth: you need to charge every single day

Reality: you don't, and the golf helps. A round takes four hours or more, plus a leisurely lunch afterwards. Plug in at the first tee, unplug when you've finished, and you've used dead time. It's a much better arrangement than the petrol station detour I used to make on the way to the airport.

If you're playing a couple of rounds, have a look at the golf courses at Roda Golf and plan your charging around your tee times rather than the other way round.

Myths about rentals and getting organised

Myth: your villa or apartment will have a charger

Reality: most don't. Charging at holiday homes in this part of Murcia is still the exception. Some properties list an EV charger among their amenities, but don't assume. Look at the details on each listing when you browse holiday rentals near Roda Golf, and if it isn't mentioned, ask. A quick message through our enquiry page will get you a straight answer before you commit.

Even without a charger at the property, you can manage perfectly well if the resort has points and you plan sensibly. But it's much nicer to know than to hope.

What I'd sort out before you arrive

• Confirm with the resort how the charging points work and whether you need to book or register.
• Check your hire car's connector type, and make sure a cable is included.
• Download the charging app or order the card your car needs, and set it up at home on decent wifi.
• Charge fully before the bigger days out. Cartagena is an easy drive, but I'd still rather set off with a full battery.
• Ask your host whether a charger is on site if you're renting privately.

One last piece of local advice. Spain does lunch late and slowly, and a chiringuito by the water isn't a place to rush. If you're heading to Santiago de la Ribera for a long seafront lunch, a charger nearby is a bonus, but don't build your day around it. Enjoy the fish, take your time, and let the car sort itself out.

The honest truth is that the reluctance about electric cars here is mostly habit. The distances are short, the weather in autumn is kind, and now there's a charger where you're staying. I'd stop worrying and start booking.