Over 70% of UK EV drivers use charging for ‘me time’
More than 70% of British EV drivers use EV charging sessions to indulge in “me time” such as relaxing, reading, and shopping, according to a recent survey from Jolt.
The study was carried out amongst 1,600 people, with 52.6% of respondents saying they use the time to shop nearby, providing the nation’s high streets with a much-needed dose of financial support.
The findings also showed that 27.4% used charging time to relax in their car, 20.1% watched videos, 17.9% scrolled social media, while 8.3% preferred to read or listen to an audiobook.
According to Jolt, 86.3% of motorists who switched from a petrol or a diesel car to an EV are no longer concerned about range or charger availability. For 48.9% of those asked, the issue disppears, while 37.4% have learned to manage.
Regarding the findings, Jolt UK country manager, John Rainford said: “We’re seeing a clear evolution in how UK drivers view EV charging. What was once perceived as a chore or a source of anxiety is quickly becoming an integrated part of daily life, even an opportunity for ‘me time’.
“This surge in confidence, coupled with the tangible economic benefit for local areas, is incredibly positive for the continued growth of the UK’s EV transition.”
“These insights underscore a growing maturity in the EV market, particularly in the UK. Jolt is committed to making charging convenient and integrated into daily life, and this research confirms that EV drivers are increasingly finding tangible personal and economic benefits during their charging sessions.
“As the UK continues its rapid EV transition, understanding these evolving habits will be key to shaping future infrastructure and services.”
Regarding the idea of ‘me time’, Jonny Smith told EV Powered that one of the things he cherishes about EVs is the downtime that comes with charging, and how he uses it to strengthen relationships and treats the experience as feeding into his notion of “mindful motoring”.
Since 2025 began, it’s been a bumper year for EVs in the UK. There are now over 80,000 chargers nationwide, and the SMMT found that one in four new cars buyers made the switch to EV in June.
