While most electric vehicle owners can charge their cars at home, a majority of them are also regular users of public charging facilities, a new report said.
The survey of 500 EV drivers in the U.S., conducted by ChargeLab, a provider of software for managing electric vehicle chargers, found 86% of the respondents have access to a home charger, but 59.6% still use public chargers weekly.
The company said that result “underscores the need for continued investment in public charging infrastructure.”
The report also looked at factors that impact driver satisfaction at public charging stations.
Speed: EV drivers prioritize faster charging, emphasizing the need for efficient DC fast chargers, ChargeLab said, noting that software that monitors chargers remotely can enhance overall speed and reliability.
Payment convenience: The report called flexibility in payment options, including mobile payments, “crucial,” and said off-peak charging discounts or other custom pricing plans can also foster user loyalty.
Accessibility and location: Map apps are the primary tool for locating EV chargers, with 67.1% of EV owners using apps such Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze to find public EV chargers. As a result, ChargeLab said, software supporting the Open Charge Point Interface, which connects mobility service providers and facilitates integrations with third parties, is critical to improving EV roaming.
Cleanliness and maintenance: Drivers expect charging stations to be clean and well-maintained. User feedback through dedicated support lines or apps contributes to station upkeep.
Brand reputation: Familiarity with brand logos influences EV drivers’ choices. White labeling charging stations to match established brands can attract more customers.
User interface and ease of use: Drivers prioritize an intuitive interface for an easy and efficient charging process. Smart software can enhance the user journey, making it accessible and user-friendly.
The study found EV drivers are willing to share data to improve the charging experience. Almost 70% said they would be open to sharing data about their vehicle and charging sessions, which ChargeLab said suggests there’s “meaningful consumer interest in getting EV charging right.” Only 3.4% expressed reluctance to share their data.
“There’s no shortage of news coverage on the problems with public charging, but what makes us excited about this survey is it reframes the issue as an opportunity,” ChargeLab CEO Zak Lefevre said. “These EV drivers are echoing the same stories we hear from our customers. Everyone is happy if you can make the charging experience fast, easy and affordable.”
The full report is available here.
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