When asked which features make electric vehicle (EV) charging sites more appealing than others, almost a third (32%) of drivers said they would favor the chargers nearest to them, according to a survey of 1,000 U.S. EV owners commissioned by Konect, Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s EV Charging offering, which is operated by Vontier, based in Greensboro, North Carolina.
EV drivers also don’t expect to wait when they arrive. Thirty-six percent said they avoid locations with unreliable chargers, while 29% prefer to have more than one charger on site.
Detours of between 10 and 20 minutes are a dealbreaker for 21% of drivers, while almost twice as many (37%) won’t go more than 20 minutes off track to plug in, and they’re willing to pay for that convenience. Most respondents (93%) would accept higher charging costs to avoid a 20-minute detour, with an average price premium of 63%.
Survey respondents also prioritize convenience and sites with multiple chargers available.
At charging stations, WiFi is the most desirable feature, with 36% of consumers ranking it first. Next, consumers prefer clean restrooms (30%), loyalty perks (28%) and food and drink options (27%).
Charging station, port growth
The U.S. EV fast charging network is expanding, with newly opened U.S. charging ports surging by 23.3% in second-quarter 2025, according to Paren, an EV data and insights company based in San Francisco. As drivers prioritize convenience and added amenities, convenience-store and fuel site owners must consider these shifts to stay competitive in the evolving market.
While new EV station openings in the United States increased by 6.2% in second-quarter 2025, the rise in charging ports—where an EV can plug in—reflects a trend of major charge point operators building or expanding stations with eight to 12 or more ports, according to Paren. This means that at charging stations, the number of ports per charger is growing.
The total number of stations in the United States reached 11,687 in the second quarter, and ports climbed to 59,694, the data showed.
Fast charging ports in the United States are forecasted to grow by 19% year-over-year in second-quarter 2025, with 16,700 new fast charging ports expected despite regulatory and market challenges, Paren said.
That’s three times the number added in 2021, increasing the total direct current (DC) fast charging ports to 245%, according to Paren. DC fast charging delivers power straight to an EV’s battery, bypassing the vehicle’s onboard converter, allowing for much faster charging compared to AC (alternating current) options.
- Learn more about EV charging terms here.
At this growth rate, the United States could surpass 100,000 fast charging ports by 2027, according to Paren, though meeting long-term EV adoption goals will also require addressing infrastructure gaps in rural areas and congestion in urban ones, Paren said.
Most new ports are being driven by private investment, with the NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) program accounting for only a small portion, Paren said.
Other contributors in the EV charging channel include…
- Tesla: a high-speed charging network built by Tesla for its own electric vehicles, but it has also begun providing adapters in some areas, which allow CCS-equipped EVs to use Superchargers.
- IONNA: a high-powered EV charging network established by eight automakers, including BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota based in Durham, North Carolina.
- Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging: a global initiative to establish high-speed EV charging network based in New York.
- Blink: an EV charging infrastructure, installation, operation and maintenance company based in Bowie, Maryland.
- Electrify America: an EV charging network based in Reston, Virginia.
Consumer preferences
Eighteen percent of consumers have a positive attitude toward battery electric vehicles (BEVs), up from 16% the previous year, according to a survey of 1,203 American adults nationwide by the Transportation Energy Institute (TEI) in partnership with the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), both based in Alexandria, Virginia.
Positive sentiment was strongest among younger adults (18–49), urban residents, college graduates, high-income earners and commuters, according to the survey. Among those who elaborated on their positive views, the top reasons cited were environmental benefits, financial advantages and advanced vehicle technology.
Older adults, rural residents and those in the Midwest made up much of the 15% of survey respondents with a negative attitude toward electric vehicles, the survey found. The most common concerns were about charging infrastructure and convenience. Financial issues were the second most cited reason, followed by skepticism about environmental claims and battery disposal.
Nearly one-third (31%) of consumers reported a more positive attitude toward BEVs this year, with the biggest shifts among younger adults (45%) and higher-income earners (49%). In contrast, more negative shifts were seen among older adults (25%), Midwestern residents (28%), and those with a high school education or less (25%).
Consumers significantly overestimate EV adoption, TEI said, believing 28% of vehicles sold in 2024 were BEVs, when the actual figure was just 7.79%. Visibility of EVs varies by demographics, with younger, higher-income, urban and Western U.S. residents seeing them most, while older adults, rural residents and those with lower incomes see them least.
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