Three-quarters of EV owners charge at home, bypassing the weekly gas station ritual where 65% of convenience store purchases are unplanned grabs like crisps, sweets, and fizzy drinks. Suburban EV households spend 18% less at gas and convenience outlets overall, a drop tied directly to fewer pump stops and their tempting displays. Petrol drivers hit these spots routinely, averaging 2-3 minute fill-ups that spark quick indulgences; EV home chargers turn refueling into an overnight chore, dodging those calorie traps entirely.
Public chargers flip the script when used, drawing drivers inside for 20-40 minute waits that boost retail sales by 5% nearby but home dominance (76% preference) means far less exposure to junk food lures. Urban and rural EV owners buck this slightly, spending 3-13% more at stations they do visit, often for necessities rather than snacks.