Commissioned for World EV Day 2025, the survey of 5,500 battery-electric (BEV) and hybrid (including plug-in hybrid) vehicle drivers in Europe and the United States highlights a maturing market that’s demanding ever-higher standards from charging point operators (CPOs) while creating opportunities for forward-thinking fuel retailers.
Convenience is critical, with 40 percent of European BEV drivers claiming they would use the chargers closest to their location – it was the most common factor when choosing somewhere to plug in. More than half 54 percent would be put off by a detour of more than ten minutes, while 72 percent are unwilling to venture 20 minutes from their route. One in nine 11 percent were unwilling to make any detour at all.
Time efficiency has a value, with drivers willing to pay 36 percent extra for charging to avoid even a five-minute detour, while only 23 percent said high prices would deter them from using a specific location. American drivers, by contrast, were much more price sensitive – with only 51 percent put off by a 20-minute detour, and 46 percent by expensive charging.
The results also show drivers aren’t simply waiting to charge. Only 25 percent of European BEV drivers stay in their cars during a 15-minute rapid charge stop, with 39 percent using the toilet/restrooms and 74 percent visiting either on-site shops or restaurants for refreshments – footfall which can translate into extra revenue for fuel retailers.
When selecting a charging location, half 52 percent of European BEV drivers said they were seeking shops or restaurants, while toilets 36 percent and customer WiFi or workspaces 21 percent were also popular as drivers make use of longer dwell times. Demand for in-store payment options 34 percent and loyalty or reward schemes 32 percent suggest they expect to buy electricity like any other fuel.
However, with drivers only willing to make an 8.6-minute detour to get all of the amenities they want, while citing concerns about unreliable chargers 27 percent or sites with only one unit 24 percent as a reason to plug in elsewhere, providing robust and time-efficient charging is critical for this fast-growing market.
“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” comments Merrick Glass, President 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.”
With 160 years of industry experience, Gilbarco Veeder-Root is supporting fuel retailers to thrive in a more energy-diverse future. The Konect charging ecosystem integrates seamlessly with the forecourt environment, combining proven hardware and software with end-to-end support – from site surveys and project management to in-life maintenance by our Europe-wide field team.
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