New data reveals charging habits of EV drivers

New data has revealed the charging habits of electric vehicle drivers across the UK, including where and when they're most likely to charge their EV.

Last year, as part of a £30 million investment from the company, Arnold Clark opened its own ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging network – Arnold Clark Charge.

There are now 50 Arnold Clark Charge hubs across the UK, giving the public even more access to ultra-low rapid EV charging.

And now, new findings from Arnold Clark have unveiled how and when the public are using the new charging network.

With tens of thousands of charging sessions analysed across over 50 charging hubs located in the UK, the data highlights the importance of 24/7 access, weekend flexibility, and early morning readiness.

Most popular EV charging times by hour

The busiest time across the network was between 11am and noon, with 9.5% of all charging sessions logged during this hour alone.

Looking into the data, this suggests drivers are stopping to charge during their normal day, likely over lunch breaks.

Peak charging times continue until around 3pm.

If you are stopping to charge your EV during lunch, remember that Arnold Clark Charge customers can enjoy free tea and coffee while they wait or grab a bite to eat at Cafe 1954 located within certain branches.

What day of the week is most popular for EV charging?

Weekends are the most popular time for EV drivers to charge their cars, with Saturday topping the list.

This surge in charging could reflect increased leisure travel or longer journeys over weekends for people who work Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.

There are also many drivers without access to home charging who may use their free time over the weekend to top up.

In contrast, Tuesday is the quietest day at charging hubs, suggesting that many drivers still have sufficient charge from their weekend visits.

Are EV drivers taking advantage of 24/7 access to Arnold Clark Charge?

The business hours for Arnold Clark Charge are classed as 8am – 8pm. However, around 13% of charging sessions take place outside of these hours.

The data validates the need for our investment in 24/7 ultra-rapid charging infrastructure to ensure availability outside regular business hours.

Pablo Levi, Group Sustainability Manager at Arnold Clark, said:

This data demonstrates why our investment in ultra-rapid charging is so important for communities across the UK.

We’re seeing drivers rely on Arnold Clark Charge not just during the day, but at weekends, at night, and in locations where home charging simply isn’t an option.

By making charging accessible, reliable, and convenient, we’re helping more people make the switch to electric easy.”

On average, how long do EV drivers take to charge their cars?

From Sunday to Thursday, the average time of a charging session is around 35 minutes. However, this rises to 38 minutes on Fridays and 39 minutes on Saturdays.

This could again suggest that drivers are less time-constrained on weekends, allowing for longer charging sessions.

The proportion of charging sessions longer than 15 minutes appears to be relatively stable across the week, with slightly fewer on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Where are the most popular Arnold Clark Charge sites?

While Arnold Clark Charge sites span the UK from Aberdeen to Southampton, our data reveals that charging activity is highest in the Central Belt of Scotland, which is not surprising given Arnold Clark’s footprint in this area.

These locations, which are often embedded within residential communities, play a vital role in supporting drivers who lack access to off-street parking and home charging, like in the West End of Glasgow for example.

For many drivers, these hubs are not just convenient, they’re essential.

This trend highlights the importance of placing infrastructure where it’s most needed, not just pursuing destination and journey charging.

Our other locations see different charging behaviour.

Carlisle Motorstore, located just off the M6, a major motorway, sees high footfall from long-distance travellers and commercial drivers.

Aberdeen Mazda, positioned at the entrance to the city, serves as a gateway for both urban commuters and regional traffic.

Meanwhile, Milton Keynes Car & Van Rental, with its proximity to London and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), likely benefits from higher EV penetration and policy-driven adoption.

Jamie Green, Head of Arnold Clark Charge, said:

Electric vehicle adoption depends on reliable infrastructure, and these insights highlight the essential role Arnold Clark Charge plays in communities across the UK.

By investing in ultra-rapid charging where it’s needed most, we’re not only supporting drivers today but also driving forward the UK’s journey towards a low-carbon, sustainable transport future.”