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91% of EV Drivers Would Go Out of Their Way for a Recommended Charger, New Research Finds

VNT
  • New global research by Driivz reveals a "social layer" where word-of-mouth recommendations now outweigh traditional navigation tools for EV charging decisions.
  • A survey of over 3,000 drivers across North America and Europe found that 91% would detour to charge at a location recommended by another driver.
  • 76% of drivers would avoid a charging network entirely based on warnings from friends or family.
  • 55% of respondents stated they would travel more than five minutes out of their way for a recommended charging spot.
  • When finding unfamiliar locations, drivers trust specialist charging apps (33%) and peer recommendations (32%) more than satellite navigation apps (27%).
  • 79% of drivers would warn friends or family after a poor charging experience, while 76% would report issues directly through an app.
  • 42% of drivers are likely to talk about charging sessions that exceeded expectations, compared to 39% who discuss sessions that fell short.
  • CPOs are prioritizing 24/7 network availability (47%) and seamless authentication (43%) to build the trust required for positive recommendations.
  • 59% of charge point operators cite charger utilization rather than network expansion as their primary driver of profitability.
  • The study indicates a shift in competitive advantage from the quantity of chargers to the number of drivers who vouch for existing infrastructure.
  • Younger drivers act as early adopters of this social layer, while older drivers tend to stick with trusted networks.
  • The research suggests future industry success will depend on drivers exchanging reviews, warnings, and recommendations before plugging in.