GARO: EV Owners Will Pay More to Reduce Charge Wait Times

Britain’s EV owners are increasingly prioritising convenience over cost when it comes to charging times, with 90% willing to pay an extra £10 to £20 (US$12.89-$25.78) per charge if it could significantly reduce waiting times, according to a recent survey by GARO Electric Limited, a prominent developer and manufacturer of EV charging solutions.

GARO, which focuses on providing high-performance charging solutions for both businesses and fleet operators across the UK and Ireland, has tapped into the growing need for efficient EV infrastructure.

Its recent poll of 500 UK-based EV owners shows a resounding demand for faster charging.

Nine in 10 respondents said they would gladly pay more per kilowatt-hour (kWh) if it could cut waiting times by as much as 15 minutes, exposing the prioritisation of convenience over cost.

In Cardiff, demand for speed is particularly high, with 55% of EV owners willing to pay more for faster charging times. Northern Ireland follows closely, with 49% expressing the same preference.

However, not all regions have the same appetite for speed. Only 17% of EV owners in the southwest of England are inclined to pay extra for quicker charging, highlighting regional differences in attitudes toward EV use and charging accessibility.

Beyond regional preferences, GARO’s survey reinforces a growing desire for a quicker, more efficient EV experience nationwide.

While expanding the network of charging stations may help address availability, only ultra-fast equipment can truly cut down on charging time. These high-powered units support faster turnaround, enabling more drivers to use each bay throughout the day.

Charging network development lags behind growing demand

Despite this demand for speedier solutions, the UK’s charging infrastructure still has a long way to go.

According to data from Zapmap in April 2024, there were about 60,000 public charging stations available, but most of these are slow chargers, rated between 3kW and 8kW, and representing 59% of all charging devices. Ultra-rapid options are few and far between, leaving many EV drivers frustrated by slow charging times.

This shortage of rapid charging solutions has left EV owners in a difficult spot, as they try to balance busy lifestyles with the need to wait for their vehicles to charge.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has indicated that at least 2.3 million charge points will be needed by 2030 to meet the projected demand, yet the Government’s target remains at just 300,000 public charge points. Given this significant gap, the pressure is on to accelerate the pace of infrastructure development.

“The UK is making great headway in building the necessary electric vehicle infrastructure, but EV owners are clearly becoming frustrated with the lack of rapid charging solutions available and extended waiting times," comments  Conor Charnley, GARO’s e-Mobility Manager for the UK. 

Sustainability remains key for younger EV owners

In addition to a call for faster charging options, GARO’s survey found that most EV drivers are also interested in using renewable energy sources to charge their vehicles.

A strong 82% of respondents indicated that they would prefer renewable energy options, with this preference even stronger among younger drivers.

Among those aged 17-24, 89% expressed a preference for renewable energy, a figure that rose to 92% among 25-34-year-olds. This trend highlights an emerging generational shift towards not only electric vehicles but also green charging solutions.

GARO, known for its scalable and flexible charging stations that incorporate renewable energy integration, is well-positioned to support this transition.

The company’s solutions provide dynamic load balancing, remote monitoring, and in-depth analytics, helping fleet operators optimise their operations while also catering to a broader push for sustainable practices. With its focus on innovation, GARO is already at the forefront of creating charging infrastructure that aligns with the eco-conscious preferences of today’s EV drivers.

As the UK works toward a more comprehensive EV infrastructure, GARO’s survey serves as a timely reminder of the importance of investing in not just more charging points, but in faster, more efficient options.

The rapid growth of EV ownership highlights both the successes and the challenges of the UK's shift towards sustainable transportation.

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