European EV drivers prioritising convenience when charging
A study of 5,500 European EV drivers found that given the choice, 40% of those asked would prefer to use a public charger nearest to them and would be willing to pay for the convenience.
The survey, commissioned by Gilbarco Veeder-Root, found that 36% of drivers would be happy to pay for more expensive charging to avoid a detour of just over 8.5 minutes.
Moreover, 25% of those using the European EV charging network remain in their cars during a 15-minute top-up charge, with 39% using restrooms, and 74% visiting on-site shops or eateries.
When choosing a charging spot, 52% of motorists said they were looking for shops and/or restaurants, while 36% sought out toilets, and 21% prioritised customer WiFi or workspaces when charging for a longer period.
Meanwhile, a 34% demand for an in-store payment option and a 32% demand for loyalty and/or reward schemes suggest that those reliant on the European EV charging network are looking to pay for electricity as they would pay for petrol or diesel.
Overall, the findings from the study shows suggest given the reluctance of drivers willing to drive further than 8.5 minutes, charge point operators (CPOs) are urged to improve the facilities they can offer to drivers during charging periods, and provide reliable, time-efficient charging.
“Challenges with public charging have long been cited as hurdles for electric vehicle adoption – and our survey shows drivers rightly expect this to be as simple as filling with fuel,” said Merrick Glass, president of Konect eMobility at Gilbarco Veeder-Root.
“Forecourts are perfectly placed to raise the bar, with locations close to major routes and facilities where drivers can rest, refresh and re-connect while they’re plugged in.”
In the United Kingdom, it was found that 70% of EV drivers use charging as a time to engage in activities such as shopping (52% of those asked), watching videos (20.1%), social media scrolling (17.9%) or reading/listening to an audio book (8.3%).
In terms of upgrading charging sites, UK-based CPO, MFG, is looking to add seven rapid-charging hubs with 300kWh-400kWh chargers to its existing 150-strong network. In 2025 alone, it has already spent around £170m in upgrading its forecourt network.
