The rise of EV drivers will shape UK petrol stations and service stations in the future, a new report reveals.
The Future of the Forecourt report, commissioned by Fresh Food For Now Company – the food-to-go operator owned by Samworth Brothers, highlights two distinctly different interactions with forecourts between EV and petrol drivers, and in turn the opportunities these present to operators.
Petrol drivers lean towards speedier visits, the research shows, while EV drivers are more concerned about the facilities, drinks, and food on offer as they look to kill time on-site as their vehicle charges.
The data showed 8% of EV drivers are more likely to choose a location if it offers quality hot drinks, while 7% would stop if there was a good range of food options throughout the day. This reflects further findings that 62% buy food-to-go from petrol/service stations monthly on an ‘all day grazing’ mission – everything from a snack to a quick breakfast, or light meal in place of a missed lunch.
The report also shows all day grazers buy frequently and spend more, with a skew to younger and more affluent consumers, and pick up a wider variety of products than other missions, over-indexing in savoury and sweet snacking, fruit, soup, and sushi.
Overall, the research gave nine key areas of attention to make forecourts fit for the future; focusing on shopper motivations, missions, in-store experience, and purchasing habits. The project outcomes have provided focuses for Fresh Food For Now to work collaboratively with their customers, driving future thinking not just in food-to-go, but also at a total store context.
Anna Bond, Senior Customer Marketing Manager, Fresh Food For Now Company, said: “Our research has shown that, as electric vehicles become increasingly prevalent on the road (particularly with inner city regulations designed to curb carbon emissions), it is a crucial time for forecourt operators to evaluate their offering. More and more drivers will spend longer periods at their site and, as the research shows, will expect quality offerings & facilities to make it an enjoyable experience.
“Not only that, but as all-day grazing dominates shopper missions, catering to a variety of mealtimes and occasions is of utmost importance; forecourt operators should ensure they offer a wide variety of on-the-go food – from hot eats to chilled sandwiches, salads and of course snacks – to give consumers that choice and keep them coming back.”
