According to Gilbarco Veeder-Root, a new study of 5,500 European EV drivers reveals that 40% would pay extra to use the nearest public charger rather than drive to a cheaper option further away.
The survey found that convenience trumps cost for many electric vehicle owners. 36% of drivers said they’d pay higher charging rates to avoid a detour of just 8.5 minutes.
How Drivers Spend Their Charging Time
During a typical 15-minute charging session, driver behavior splits into three main categories:
- 25% stay in their vehicles
- 39% use restroom facilities
- 74% visit shops or restaurants on-site
For longer charging sessions, drivers prioritize different amenities when selecting locations.
52% look for shops and restaurants when choosing where to charge. Another 36% want restroom access, while 21% seek customer WiFi or dedicated workspaces.
Payment Preferences Mirror Gas Station Experience
The study shows EV drivers want charging to feel like traditional fuel purchases. 34% demand in-store payment options similar to gas stations.
Another 32% want loyalty programs and reward schemes.
“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.”
UK Drivers Turn Charging Into Productive Time
In the United Kingdom specifically, 70% of EV drivers use charging sessions for various activities. Shopping leads at 52%, followed by watching videos (20.1%) and social media browsing (17.9%).
About 8.3% use the time to read or listen to audiobooks.
The findings suggest charge point operators need to improve their offerings beyond just faster charging speeds. Drivers want reliable charging infrastructure combined with quality amenities.
UK-based charge point operator MFG is responding to this demand by adding seven rapid-charging hubs with 300kWh-400kWh chargers to its existing 150-location network.
The company has invested approximately £170 million in 2025 alone upgrading its forecourt network to better serve EV drivers’ expectations.
