Forecourt EV Strategy: Navigating Global Vehicle Uptake and Network Uptime Dynamics

Global EV Growth and Market Trajectory

Global electric car adoption expanded significantly in 2025, with total sales growing 20% to "exceed 20 million in 2025, meaning one-quarter of all new cars sold were electric" according to the IEA Global EV Outlook 2026. European electric vehicle (EV) sales rose over 30% to achieve a 28% market share under tighter European Union CO2 standards. China recorded an EV sales share of nearly 55%, with Chinese automakers accounting for 60% of all global electric car sales.

Looking ahead, global EV sales are projected to reach 23 million in 2026, representing 28% of total car sales. Long-term energy infrastructure implications remain significant: electricity demand from EVs is projected to exceed 1,500 TWh by 2035—a sixfold increase from 2025 levels. By 2035, EV power consumption is expected to increase total electricity demand by over 10% in Europe and under 6% in China.

High-Power Infrastructure and Heavy-Duty Developments

In terms of charging hardware, maximum rated capabilities continue to outpace the existing vehicle stock. The first 1,000-volt vehicle models arrived in 2025, and public claims of sub-10-minute charging times continued into 2026. However, vehicles capable of taking charging rates above 250 kW currently represent less than 5% of the total vehicle stock.

In the heavy-duty sector, specialized charging networks are beginning to scale. The European Union now contains over 1,000 charging points designated exclusively for electric trucks, supporting long-distance transport routes as total cost of ownership (TCO) parity approaches.

Driver Behavior and Network Trust Metrics

Recent survey findings published by MobilityPlaza detail a major shift in how drivers choose charging locations. Research covering over 3,000 EV drivers across North America and Europe indicates that word of mouth and peer recommendations strongly influence charger selection. Specifically, 91% of EV drivers reported they would make a detour to visit a charger recommended by another driver, and 55% would travel more than 5 minutes out of their way. Conversely, 76% of drivers stated they would avoid a charging network entirely following a warning from friends or family.

Commenting on these dynamics, Driivz CEO Shiri Levi-Laor noted that drivers are shifting from asking where a charger is located to asking whether a charger is reliable. Operational priorities among charge point operators (CPOs) reflect this reality: "59% of CPOs now say charger utilization, not expansion, is their primary driver of profitability" according to Driivz survey data, compared to only 15% pointing to network growth. Furthermore, CPOs identify 24/7 network availability (47%) and seamless authentication (43%) as top investment priorities.

Forecourt Analysis and Strategic Hypotheses

*Analysis*: Forecourt operators planning capital expenditure must weigh hardware expansion against asset reliability. While adding high-power DC chargers increases maximum site capacity, peer recommendation loops mean that intermittent uptime or broken authentication software direct revenue away from sites. Maximizing throughput on existing chargers yields higher profitability than speculative expansion into unproven locations.

*Hypothesis*: Displaying live, verified site-level uptime ratings on digital forecourt signage will capture high-margin diverted traffic from adjacent highway routes.

*Proposed Test*: Select 20 forecourt sites along major regional corridors. Install real-time uptime indicators on external roadside price signs across 10 test sites while retaining standard signage at 10 baseline control sites. Track changes in kWh throughput, repeat driver visits, and average non-fuel retail sales over a 6-month trial period.