Birmingham · est. 2017

The Chen Motors journal

Driving advice that's actually from Birmingham.

Weekly notes on routes, EV charging, airport runs, and everything we've learned running a small fleet in Birmingham for nine years.

AllRoutes & road tripsElectric & chargingVan hireAirport & travelHow-toPricing & plans

Latest · Routes & road trips

Best weekend drives from Birmingham by car — 7 routes under 90 minutes

From the Peak District's Snake Pass to the Malvern Hills — seven scenic drives you can do in a day, with rental tips for each.

22 April 2026·8 min·David Chen

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More from the journal

5 posts · updated weekly

Electric & charging

EV charging in the West Midlands — every rapid charger that actually works

We drove 340 miles testing 62 chargers across the West Midlands. Here's the honest list — what's fast, what's broken, and which apps to avoid.

15 April 2026 · 11 min

Hiring a van for NEC exhibitions — parking, access, and avoiding the ULEZ fine

If you're exhibiting at the NEC, here's everything about van access.

8 April 2026 · 6 min

Airport & travel

Birmingham Airport transfers — when hiring a car beats a taxi

Compare five transfer options from BHX to the city centre, Solihull, and Coventry.

1 April 2026 · 7 min

Renting a car for the first time — a plain-English guide for Birmingham

What each term actually means and what to watch for if you've never hired a car before.

25 March 2026 · 9 min

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The journal

Driving advice that's actually from Birmingham.

Weekly notes from nine years of running a small fleet here.

AllRoutesEVVanAirportHow-to

Latest · Routes & road trips

Best weekend drives from Birmingham by car — 7 routes under 90 minutes

From the Peak District's Snake Pass to the Malvern Hills — seven scenic drives you can do in a day, with rental tips for each.

22 April 2026 · 8 min

Electric & charging

EV charging in the West Midlands — every rapid charger that actually works

11 min · 15 April 2026

Hiring a van for NEC exhibitions — parking, access, and avoiding the ULEZ fine

6 min · 8 April 2026

Airport & travel

Birmingham Airport transfers — when hiring a car beats a taxi

7 min · 1 April 2026

Renting a car for the first time — a plain-English guide for Birmingham

9 min · 25 March 2026