Brits spend 30 days at motorway services in lifetime

Brits spend up to nine hours a year in motorway service stations, totalling 720 hours – or 30 days – over the course of an 80-year lifetime, GRIDSERVE research has revealed.

The study shows that Brits are keen to “hunt out” their favourite service stations to “make their rest break more enjoyable”, according to the findings.

EV drivers are the “most likely” to hold out for nicer rest stops – 22% – with charging points now more widely available than ever and some EVs able to travel more than 300 miles on a single charge.

A whopping 72% of EV drivers stopped for a host of reasons outside of filling up their car, instead using the facilities (61%), taking a break from driving (50%), or stretching their legs (45%). 

The research from the electric vehicle (EV) charging firm has revealed that nearly a third (31%) of Brits admitted that they’ll “cross their legs a little longer” in order to get to a “nicer” service station.

In fact, almost half (46%) of Brits with electric vehicles reported that EV charging stops provided a welcome opportunity to relax or take a break while they charged their car.

It also showed that hunting out quality facilities included relaxing places to sit (31%), preferred shops like M&S (25%), and independent cafes and restaurants (18%).  

Rebecca Trebble, Chief Customer Experience Officer at GRIDSERVE, said: 

“There’s a common misconception that EV owners need to stop more often than petrol or diesel drivers to power their cars, but our research shows otherwise. 

“Range anxiety is starting to become a thing of the past and EV drivers are charging their vehicles when they stop for other reasons, rather than stopping to charge. With charging times as short as 20 to 30 minutes,3 EVs are proving to have to stop no longer on journeys than petrol and diesel vehicles.”

Top 10 most common reasons people stop at service stations:

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