Word of mouth drives EV charging choices, research shows

New research from Driivz says EV drivers are increasingly relying on recommendations from other EV owners when choosing where to charge, with 91 per cent willing to go out of their way for a charger another driver vouched for. The survey of more than 3,000 drivers across North America and Europe also found that 76 per cent would avoid an entire charging network based on a warning from friends or family.

More than half of respondents said they would travel more than five minutes out of their way for a recommended location. The findings point to what Driivz describes as a “social layer” influencing charging decisions, where word of mouth carries more weight than traditional navigation tools.

“EV charging has become much more than a question of where the nearest charger is located,” said Shiri Levi‑Laor, CEO of Driivz. “Drivers are no longer just asking ‘where is a charger?’ They’re asking ‘is there a charger I can rely on?’ and increasingly, they’re trusting each other for the answer.”

Specialist charging apps and peer recommendations ranked ahead of satellite navigation tools as trusted sources for unfamiliar charging locations. The research also found drivers are vocal about their experiences: 79 per cent would warn friends or family after a poor session, 76 per cent would report issues through a charging app and 65 per cent would leave an online review.

Driivz says reliable charging experiences build trust and directly influence future charging decisions. Its 2026 State of EV Charging Network Operators Report found operators are prioritizing 24/7 network availability and seamless authentication, with 59 per cent now identifying charger utilization as their primary driver of profitability.