What EV drivers value when looking to charge

Electric vehicle drivers care almost as much about convenience as they do about charging speed, according to a new study.

The survey from Konect, Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s EV charging division of 1,000 EV owners found that location and reliability are key factors when choosing where to charge. Nearly one-third of respondents said they prefer the closest charger, while 36 per cent avoid sites with unreliable equipment. Another 29 per cent favour locations with more than one charger on site to reduce wait times.

Detours are a dealbreaker for many drivers. About 21 per cent said they would not go 10 to 20 minutes out of their way to charge, and 37 per cent would not travel more than 20 minutes. Most drivers—93 per cent—said they would pay more to avoid a 20-minute detour, with an average price premium of 63 per cent.

“This survey makes one thing clear: People don’t just want fast charging, they want fast access to charging,” said Merrick Glass, managing director at Konect. “It’s not solely about charging speed anymore; it’s about where the chargers are, how easy they are to reach, and what the experience feels like when you get there.”

Amenities also matter. Free Wi-Fi topped the list of desirable features at 36 per cent, followed by clean restrooms (31 per cent), loyalty rewards (28 per cent) and on-site food and drink options (27 per cent). Even so, location remains critical — drivers said they would make an average 12-minute detour for a site with all their preferred amenities, but fewer than 1 per cent would travel more than 20 minutes.

“People are treating EV charging more like stopping at a convenience store and less like filling a tank,” Glass said. “They’re calculating time, comfort and experience, not just price per kilowatt-hour.”

The findings highlight growing pressure on charging providers to focus on reliability, integration with everyday destinations and a consistent user experience, what some in the industry are calling “Charging 2.0.”

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