EV drivers on long trips use fast chargers and on-site amenities when charging
In a survey of some 40,000 EV owners in Canada and the U.S., FLO, found that most EV drivers rely on DC fast chargers for extended trips, and over half will use the on-site amenities where the chargers are located while charging.
According to the survey, DC fast chargers are needed for most EV drivers, with 42% of respondents indicated they use them at least once a month and 60% reported they rely on them for extended or multi-city trips. A key finding of interest to gas bar and c-store operators who are looking to provide EV charging at their locations, charging time is not idle time. In a question asking what activities drivers engage in while their vehicle is charging at a fast charger, 51% of EV drivers said they engage with on-site amenities. When asked which activities they prefer to do while charging, 60% of drivers said they use this time to eat or buy refreshments while 19% said they use nearby retail stores to shop.
This highlights the need for a robust and available public charging infrastructure to be put in place in the coming years. The survey finds that 29% of EV owners in the survey did not have a charging station installed at their residence, highlighting the need for reliable public infrastructure.
The survey finds a diverse use of charging station types, with 35% of users primarily using Level 2 stations, 27% mainly using DC fast charging stations, and 31% relying on a mix of both. This variety underscores the need for a comprehensive network that offers both quick top-ups and longer-stay charging solutions and is designed for drivers who live in a range of building types.
Most EV drivers stay local and within the range provided by a single overnight charge. 30% of Canadian respondents reported driving 151 to 250 kilometers per week and 37% of American respondents reported driving between 100 to 200 miles per week.
"FLO's survey demonstrates the need for more robust charging solutions across North America, enabling drivers to plug in wherever they are—at work, home, or on the go." said Louis Tremblay, president and CEO of FLO. "Hearing from almost 40,000 EV drivers is extremely informative and points towards the effectiveness of both at home and public charging networks in supporting the day-to-day lives of most EV drivers and providing the best charging experience one session at a time."
