A reporter is driving a Mini from London to Scotland using only public charging points.

The electric Mini will be driven from south to north and recharged using only public charging points.

BBC journalist Brian Milligan is undertaking a challenge to drive an electric Mini across the country using only public charging points. The plan is to challenge the government’s announcement that 2011 would be the year of the electric car and see if this really is a feasible option for the everyday motorist.

The issue of access to recharging points is crucial in the argument for electric cars as many drivers find it difficult to find electric charging points in their area. Furthermore, the lasting power of the electric car is yet to be fully determined.

According to reports, the electric Mini being tested is designed for short trips and isn’t intended to take on the 484 mile journey from London to Edinburgh. However, this excuse will not wash with drivers who expect to be able to travel on long trips when required.

There are around 500 car charging points in the UK , but surprisingly the exact number isn’t known by the government office for low emission vehicles. After leaving London the four day journey takes pit stops at Milton Keynes, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, York, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham and Wark before finally arriving in Edinburgh.

The journey across mainland England is expected to be reasonable in terms of charging point access but the journey from Northumberland to Scotland is far trickier where the gap is approximately 87 miles.