Electric vehicle drivers are markedly moving to using out-of-home charge points in response to fast-improving public and destination charging facilities.

Only 56% of EV owners now charge at home; down from 78% in 2021

A YouGov survey has revealed that only 56% of EV owners now charge at home (down from 78% in 2021), with 20% charging at shopping centres, 20% at work, 11% at hotels and 8% at restaurants.

And a total of 17% charge at petrol stations, but only 7% give this as their preferred place to charge, while 12% actually say that not having to visit petrol stations is their favourite thing about EV ownership!

The research was conducted on behalf of vehicle charging specialist CTEK, which said the analysis shows availability of public charging is now far less of a concern for EV owners. Only 8% cite a lack of local charging facilities as their biggest frustration, compared with 30% in 2021. This resonates with latest figures from Zap Map, which show that, as of the end of August, the number of public charge points has risen by 34% since last year.

However, almost three-quarters (71%) of UK motorists still feel that more charging infrastructure is needed to meet growing demand for EV charging.

And although this percentage has reduced slightly from 78% in 2021, it remains the highest level in Europe.

The research also reinforces the importance of out-of-home charging; 44% of UK motorists say that availability of public charging makes them more likely to buy an EV. In addition, half (50%) of drivers say they’re more likely to buy an EV if they have charging facilities at work, and this rises to 81% amongst former EV owners.

The research also shows reliability of out-of-home charging remains an issue with 9% of UK EV owners, while 7% are frustrated by complexity of payment and 59% feel that lack of EV roaming, which would allow drivers to access different providers’ chargers and networks, is a major frustration.

Interestingly, this is an even greater issue in Germany and France, where 67% and 62% of drivers respectively are frustrated by lack of EV roaming. But it’s less of an issue in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, where EV roaming is better established.

CTEK said it was extremely encouraging to see that the availability of public and destination charging facilities is stepping up to meet the growing demand – but warned that reliability remains an issue.

Cecilia Routledge, global director, energy & facilities, continued: “This is an aspect that needs additional focus, along with steps to reduce the complexity of payment and industry-wide commitment to rolling out EV roaming, which would give EV drivers better access to charging stations, in the same way that mobile phone users can simply access different networks as they travel around the globe.”

Other findings from the survey include:

• A quarter (25%) of current EV owners now cite lower running costs as their favourite thing about EV ownership, ahead of 21% stating environmental benefits.
• UK EV owners remain the most environmentally conscious in Europe, with 33% giving concern for the environment as the main reason for purchasing an EV, compared with an average of 23% in the rest of Europe, where lower running costs are the main reason for purchase.
• For non-EV owners, lower running costs have become more important than access to charge points, and the purchase price of EVs remains the biggest barrier for motorists considering the switch.
• 64% of drivers feel that government subsidies are essential to encourage more people to buy EVs; this is the highest level in Europe.
• 30% of drivers said they were confused by all the information available on EVs, 45% said they wouldn’t know where to go to find out about EVs, and 17% of drivers said that knowing more about EVs and how they work would encourage them to purchase one.

The full report, with findings on electric vehicle take up and ownership across Europe (UK, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway), is available online.