Two-thirds of EV drivers willing to make detours for charging

Two-thirds of battery electric vehicle (BEV) drivers are willing to make detours of up to three miles on motorways and A-roads during long journeys for charging, new data from the DfT shows.

Over half of drivers were willing to queue for up to 15 minutes at a service area to charge before considering the experience as poor or disruptive (53% motorways and 54% SRN A-roads), the analysis found.

The majority of BEV drivers reported charging their vehicle at least once on journeys of 121 miles or more, demonstrating a willingness to undertake longer trips that require on route charging.

However, only just over half of BEV drivers expressed overall confidence in undertaking long-distance journeys on England’s motorways (56%) and SRN A-roads (50%) given the current state of charging infrastructure, the research shows.

Rapid and ultra-rapid charger availability emerged as the most important factor influencing their confidence for these journeys. This suggests initiatives to expand reliable rapid charging are key to instilling greater confidence for long-distance BEV travel on the SRN. “However, a significant portion of drivers still expressed the desire for more rapid and ultra-rapid charging infrastructure along the SRN,” says DfT’s report.

“While range anxiety persists as a factor influencing vehicle choice for long journeys, BEV drivers demonstrate a willingness to make short detours and queue for a reasonable time to charge.”

The research highlights the importance of a robust and reliable charging network, with a preference for multiple providers at charging locations to mitigate concerns about charger availability and pricing.

EV Charging on England’s Strategic Road Network Research Report