The latest 2023 Global Driver Survey conducted by Borderless Access has revealed that drivers worldwide are seeking greater functionality in parking and charging services within their vehicles. The survey, completed by 5454 respondents across the US, Germany, France, UK, Italy, and Japan, highlighted the difficulties drivers face in locating parking spaces and EV charging stations, as well as their desire for features that assist in finding available parking and charging destinations and enable in-car payments.
Parking Challenges: The survey found that 92% of respondents globally encounter difficulties in finding available parking spaces, with 8% experiencing this issue every time they search for parking. In the US, 18% of drivers face parking challenges on every search, with variations observed among different states. The importance of parking information was emphasized, with nearly half of global respondents considering it extremely or very important. Around 77% of respondents expressed the desire for a vehicle that offers integrated parking services to navigate directly to parking locations.
EV Charging Concerns: Similarly, drivers expressed concerns about finding EV charging points away from home. Over 90% of EV drivers worldwide, including 91% in Europe and 92% in the US, feel anxious about locating charging stations. The survey revealed that 44% of EV drivers have run out of charge, and 22% have been stranded multiple times. In the US, nearly half of EV owners have experienced running out of charge, while one in five European motorists have faced the same situation. Furthermore, 92% of EV drivers struggle to find charging points away from home, with American EV drivers highlighting a significant need for technology to assist in locating suitable charging options.
Parking Fines and In-Car Commerce: The survey also addressed the issue of unexpected parking fines while charging electric vehicles. Nearly 58% of EV drivers have received unexpected fines, with US EV owners particularly affected. Respondents emphasized the importance of accurate parking and charging information, with many believing that more precise details could have prevented fines. In-car payments for parking and charging were highlighted as a solution to this problem.
The survey highlighted the increasing demand for in-car connected services, including the ability to locate parking and charging facilities, navigate to these destinations, and pay for services through the vehicle’s media system. Such features were considered essential for EV owners and heavily influenced their future vehicle choices.
The findings of the survey emphasize the need for automakers to address parking and charging concerns directly and provide accurate data and connected services to drivers. By offering trustworthy information and seamless services, the transition to EVs can be made easier and stress-free for drivers.
Pre-registration is available to receive the complete report of the 2023 Global Driver Survey.
