It’s About Time: EV drivers want convenient charging – and they’re willing to pay for it.
World EV Day survey reveals European drivers are avoiding detours and seeking opportunities to rest, refresh and re-connect while plugged in.
Fuel retailers are a vital catalyst for Europe’s fast-growing EV market, as drivers prioritise convenient rest, refresh and re-connect stops over cheaper charging, according to the results of a new survey by Gilbarco-Veeder Root, a Vontier (NYSE: VNT) company.
Commissioned for World EV Day 2025, the survey of 4,500 battery-electric (BEV) and hybrid (including plug-in hybrid) vehicle drivers in Europe 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% 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% would be put off by a detour of more than ten minutes, while 72% are unwilling to venture 20 minutes from their route. One in nine 11% were unwilling to make any detour at all.
Time efficiency has a value, with drivers willing to pay 36% extra for charging to avoid even a five-minute detour, while only 23% said high prices would deter them from using a specific location.
The results also show drivers aren’t simply waiting to charge. Only 25% of European BEV drivers stay in their cars during a 15-minute rapid charge stop, with 39% using the toilet/restrooms and 74% 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% of European BEV drivers said they were seeking shops or restaurants, while toilets 36% and customer WiFi or workspaces 21% were also popular as drivers make use of longer dwell times. Demand for in-store payment options 34% and loyalty or reward schemes 32% 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% or sites with only one unit 24% 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.
“With the latest International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast suggesting an almost four-fold increase in electric cars and vans in Europe between 2024 and 2030 – to 39 million vehicles – it’s a demographic no fuel retailer can afford to ignore.”
About Vontier
Vontier (NYSE: VNT) is a global industrial technology company uniting productivity, automation and multi-energy technologies to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving, more connected mobility ecosystem. Leveraging leading market positions, decades of domain expertise and unparalleled portfolio breadth, Vontier enables the way the world moves – delivering smart, safe and sustainable solutions to our customers and the planet. Vontier has a culture of continuous improvement and innovation built upon the foundation of the Vontier Business System and embraced by colleagues worldwide. Additional information about Vontier is available on the Company’s website at www.vontier.com.
About Gilbarco Veeder-Root
Gilbarco Veeder-Root is the worldwide technology leader for retail and commercial fueling operations, offering the broadest range of integrated solutions from the forecourt to the convenience store and head office. For over 150 years, Gilbarco has earned the trust of its customers by providing long-term partnership, uncompromising support, and proven reliability. Major product lines include fuel dispensers, tank gauges and fleet management systems. For more information, please visit: www.gilbarco.com.
