EVwire brief: Coffee, not charging, is what most EV drivers are thinking about during a road trip stop.
That's one of the key findings from a new survey commissioned by European charging network IONITY, which asked 1,000 EV drivers across France, Germany, Sweden and the UK what they actually do while their cars recharge.
According to the survey, 57% of respondents grab a coffee or a meal during a charging stop, making it the most common activity across all four countries. Other popular choices included stretching their legs, shopping, taking a restroom break and even squeezing in a quick nap.
Turns out the real universal charging standard is coffee. (Source)
As IONITY CEO Jeroen van Tilburg put it:
"When asked what they actually do during a charging stop on a long summer trip, most EV drivers said coffee, food or a quick freshen-up. That is what a charging stop should be. Part of the break, not the whole break."
The survey also highlighted some interesting national differences. French drivers were the most likely to freshen up or visit the restroom (49%), Swedes led the way in shopping (44%), while Germans were most likely to go for a walk (43%), exercise (38%) or even take a power nap (37%).
Give an EV driver a charging stop and they'll show you their whole personality. (Source)
One statistic stood out from the rest: 34% of both British and German EV drivers admitted they answer work emails while charging, compared with just 16% in France and 14% in Sweden.
The survey was conducted by Appinio on behalf of IONITY in May 2026 and included 1,000 EV drivers, with 250 respondents each from France, Germany, Sweden and the UK.
"Out of office" is apparently more of a suggestion than a rule for EV drivers. (Source)
Context:
As charging speeds continue to improve, many charging stops are increasingly aligning with the natural breaks drivers already take during long-distance travel.
Modern high-power charging networks, including IONITY's, are designed to add hundreds of kilometers of range during a short stop, giving drivers enough time to grab a coffee, eat a meal or stretch before continuing their journey. The survey suggests that, for many EV owners, charging has become less about waiting for the battery and more about making the most of a break they would likely take anyway.
Source: Jeroen van Tilburg on LinkedIn
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