Bali EV Road Trip: Complete Family Guide to Driving Around the Island of the Gods

Bali is one of Asia's most beautiful islands, but its narrow roads, heavy traffic in the south, and hilly interior can make driving a challenge. Add EV range anxiety to the mix, and many travellers assume an electric car in Bali is a bad idea. The truth? Bali is surprisingly EV-friendly in 2026, and driving electric around the island is not only feasible — it's arguably the best way to explore.

With more than 80 public charging points across the island (up from just 15 in 2024), Bali now has a workable EV infrastructure. This guide covers the best routes, charging stations, family-friendly stops, and insider tips for a memorable electric adventure.

Key Takeaways

• Bali's core loop (Seminyak → Ubud → Kintamani → Besakih → Candidasa → Amed → Sanur → Seminyak) is 275 km and can be completed with 2 charging stops
• Total charging cost is approximately IDR 180,000–250,000 ($11–16 USD) for a full week of exploration
• The best EV for Bali is one with 300+ km WLTP range — the BYD Atto 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are the most common rentals
• PLN SPKLU and Ion (Casion) are the dominant networks, offering 50–150 kW DC fast charging
• Most critical charge stop: Ubud to Amed via Kintamani — the long climb drains battery fast

Route Overview: Bali's Classic EV Loop

Best EV Charging Stations in Bali

1. Ion Central Park Kuta — The Island's Fastest Charger

• Location: Central Parkir Kuta, Jl. Patih Jelantik, Kuta
• Chargers: 4× CCS2 up to 150 kW
• Cost: IDR 2,450/kWh
• Nearby: Beachwalk Mall, Kuta Beach, family-friendly food court
• Tip: This is the best charging hub in southern Bali. Arrive with under 20% and you'll be at 80% in 25 minutes. The mall has a kids' play area and cinema.

2. PLN SPKLU Besakih — The Mountain Top-Up

• Location: Besakih Temple Parking Area, Karangasem
• Chargers: 2× CCS2 50 kW
• Cost: IDR 2,200/kWh
• Nearby: Besakih Mother Temple, food stalls, temple market
• Tip: This is the ONLY fast charger on the east side of Bali. Plan your Ubud → Amed route to stop here for 30–45 minutes while you visit the temple. The climb from Ubud to Kintamani will drain your battery fast — recharge before descending to Amed.

3. PLN SPKLU Jimbaran — Sunset Charging

• Location: Jimbaran Hub Parking, near Jimbaran Bay
• Chargers: 2× CCS2 100 kW
• Cost: IDR 2,350/kWh
• Nearby: Jimbaran Bay seafood restaurants, Jimbaran Beach
• Tip: Charge here while enjoying sunset seafood dinner on the beach. Perfect for the Uluwatu leg.

4. Ion Sanur — Beachfront Charging

• Location: Sanur Beach Parking Area
• Chargers: 2× CCS2 60 kW
• Cost: IDR 2,450/kWh
• Nearby: Sanur Beachwalk, cafes, bike rentals
• Tip: Sanur is a great base for families. Charge by the beach while the kids play. This is also the departure point for Nusa Lembongan ferries.

Backup Chargers

Family-Friendly Bali EV Itinerary (5 Days)

Day 1: Arrive in Seminyak — Settle In & Charge

• Morning: Arrive at Ngurah Rai Airport. Pick up your rental EV (pre-booking recommended).
• First stop: Charge at Ion Central Park Kuta (10 mins from airport) before heading to your villa.
• Afternoon: Check into a family-friendly villa in Seminyak with EV charging. Recommended: Villa Seminyak Estate (has a wall charger) or The Legian Seminyak (dedicated EV parking).
• Evening: Walk to Seminyak Square for dinner. Try Sisterfields for excellent brunch-style food the kids will love.

Charging tip: If your villa has a standard wall outlet (Type G, 230V), a portable EVSE will add about 80–100 km overnight. Many villas now advertise EV charging — filter on Booking.com.

Day 2: Seminyak to Ubud (35 km)

• Morning: Drive to Ubud via the scenic Batubulan route. Stop at Tegenungan Waterfall on the way — IDR 20,000 entry, swim-friendly with shallow pools for kids.
• Afternoon (12–4 PM): Visit Ubud Monkey Forest (IDR 80,000 adults, 60,000 kids) — the highlight for children. Then explore the Ubud Art Market and Ubud Palace.
• Late afternoon (4–6 PM): Tegalalang Rice Terraces — a 15-min drive north. The sunset views are spectacular. Kids love walking the rice terrace paths.
• Overnight: Komaneka at Rasa Sayang or Maya Ubud Resort & Spa — both offer EV charging for guests.
• Charging: Top up at PLN SPKLU Pasar Seni Ubud overnight if your hotel doesn't have charging.

Day 3: Ubud → Kintamani → Besakih → Amed (125 km)

This is the most scenic (and energy-intensive) day of your trip.

• Morning (7–9 AM): Drive from Ubud to Kintamani via the Batur route. The road climbs from 200m to 1,500m — expect significant battery drain (around 15–20% more than flat driving).
• Stop: Mount Batur viewpoint — coffee shops line the ridge with stunning volcano-and-lake views. Your kids can toast marshmallows over volcanic steam vents at some cafes.
• Mid-morning (9–11 AM): Continue to Besakih Mother Temple — Bali's most important temple complex. Entry IDR 60,000. Guided tours (about 1.5 hours) are worth it.
• Charge: PLN SPKLU Besakih parking area — CCS2 50kW. Charge while you visit the temple. 30–45 mins gets you to 80%.
• Lunch: Warung Sari near Besakih — authentic Balinese food, IDR 30,000–50,000 per person.
• Afternoon (12–2 PM): Drive down to Amed — 40 km of winding downhill road. Your battery will actually GAIN range (regenerative braking recovers energy).
• Check in: Amed Beach Villas or Wijaya Mah Villas — oceanfront with pool. Basic wall charging available.
• Evening: Snorkelling at Jemeluk Bay — calm waters perfect for kids. Equipment rental IDR 50,000 per set.

Battery warning: The Ubud → Kintamani climb will cost you ~25% more range than the distance suggests. Start this day with 90%+ battery if possible.

Day 4: Amed to Sanur via Candidasa (65 km)

• Morning: Sunrise at Amed Salt Centre or a final morning swim. Try Japanese Shipwreck Snorkeling Point if the water is calm.
• Late morning: Drive west along the coast through Candidasa — a charming fishing village with a lagoon perfect for a short stop.
• Lunch: Vincent's in Candidasa — Western and Indonesian food, kid-friendly.
• Afternoon (2–4 PM): Arrive Sanur. Check into Sanur Paradise Plaza or Hyatt Regency Bali. Both have EV charging.
• Evening: Sanur Beach boardwalk at sunset. Rent bikes (IDR 30,000/hour), grab gelato at Gelato Secrets.
• Charge: Ion Sanur (60 kW) — park at the beach, get 80% charge while you walk the boardwalk.

Day 5: Sanur → Uluwatu (50 km) + Departure

• Morning: Drive to Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu) — entry IDR 50,000. The Kecak fire dance starts at 6 PM, but for families the cliffside temple views are the main draw.
• Before the temple: Stop at PLN SPKLU Jimbaran — 100 kW CCS2. Charge while you enjoy a lunch of fresh grilled seafood on Jimbaran Beach. Try Menega Cafe — book a table on the sand.
• Afternoon (2–4 PM): GWK Cultural Park — the massive Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is impressive. Kids can run on the open plaza.
• Evening: Head to the airport. By now you should have 50%+ range — plenty for the 30-min drive back.

Departure: Return your EV at the airport. Many rental companies accept returns at the departure drop-off zone. Charge to at least 50% to avoid surcharges.

Charging Cost Breakdown: 5-Day Bali Trip

Comparable petrol cost: IDR 1,200,000–1,500,000 ($75–95 USD) — EVs save 65–75% on fuel costs in Bali.

Essential Bali EV Apps

• SPKLU App (PLN) — The main network, shows real-time charger availability and pricing
• Ion App (Casion) — Private network, faster chargers at malls and resorts
• Charge+ — Backup network in southern Bali
• Gojek / Grab — For last-mile transport when you park in busy areas
• Waze — Best for real-time traffic in Seminyak/Canggu

Bali EV Road Trip Pro Tips

Driving Tips

• Avoid Seminyak-Canggu traffic between 4–7 PM — it's gridlocked. Plan your beach visits for morning or late evening.
• Use the Bali Mandara Toll Road (IDR 20,000) to bypass Kuta traffic when going between the airport and Sanur.
• One-way streets in Ubud centre — park at the Ubud Market parking lot (IDR 5,000/hour) and walk.
• Watch for scooters — they're everywhere and unpredictable. Drive defensively.

Charging Tips

• Charge at malls, not at remote stations — Ion Kuta, Ion Sanur, and SPKLU Jimbaran are in safe, well-lit areas
• Book chargers in advance via the Ion app — some stations allow slot reservations
• Bring your Type 2 cable — some older SPKLU stations don't have tethered cables
• Plan for regen — the descent from Kintamani to Amed can recover 5–8% battery through regeneration

Family Tips

• Car seats are mandatory in Indonesia for children under 12. Some rental companies provide them; request in advance.
• Motion sickness in Ubud — the winding roads to Ubud can upset young stomachs. Bring ginger candies or motion sickness bands.
• Rest stops with playgrounds — the rest area near Rumah Makan Ayam Betutu (Gilimanuk direction) has a small playground
• Swim nappies — many hotels sell them but bring your own for the beach

Best EVs to Rent in Bali

Recommended rental companies: TRAC (largest fleet in Bali), MPM Rent, and local 'Bali EV Rentals' on Instagram. Always check insurance covers battery damage.

FAQ

Q: Is it easy to find EV charging in Bali? A: Yes, especially in southern Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Nusa Dua). Ubud and Amed have limited but functional charging. The east coast (Besakih) has exactly one fast charger — plan around it.

Q: Can I drive an EV to the Bali airport? A: Yes. Ngurah Rai Airport has 2× CCS2 50kW chargers in the international terminal parking. The car rental return area also has standard outlets.

Q: Are hotel chargers reliable? A: In 2026, most 4-star+ hotels in Bali advertise EV charging. However, many have only 1–2 chargers for dozens of guests. Book your hotel's charger in advance if possible.

Q: What if I run out of charge in rural Bali? A: Call your rental company first — most offer roadside assistance. Alternatively, many warungs (small shops) in rural areas have standard outlets where you can trickle charge in an emergency. Offer IDR 50,000–100,000 for the electricity.

Q: Is Bali hill-driving hard on EV range? A: Yes. The Ubud-Kintamani climb can increase consumption by 30–40%. Always start mountain routes with 80%+ battery. The downhill regeneration compensates partially, but not completely.

The Verdict: Go Electric in Bali

Bali in 2026 is ready for EV road trips. The infrastructure isn't perfect — you still need to plan your route carefully, and you can't drive everywhere without checking charger availability. But for the classic loop (Seminyak → Ubud → Kintamani → Amed → Sanur → Uluwatu), the experience is fantastic.

The forced charging stops are a feature, not a bug. They encourage you to slow down, visit temples, eat at local warungs, and let the kids play on the beach while you wait. In a place like Bali, rushing defeats the purpose.

Charge up, roll down the windows, and enjoy the ride. The Island of the Gods is waiting.

👉 Browse EV Charging Stations in Bali 👉 Book EV-Friendly Hotels in Bali 👉 Related: Jakarta to Bandung EV Road Trip

This guide is part of our Island EV Road Trip series. Happy driving!

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