I agree with your point about time-saving, at least in part. We charge at home and very rarely use public chargers. When you add that up over a year, an EV can save a decent amount of time simply because you're not making regular trips to petrol stations every week. That said, I'd argue that filling a petrol car is still quicker than charging an EV when you're away from home. The difference really comes down to how we define "refuelling". If I park an EV on a rapid charger, I can walk away, grab a coffee or a KFC, and the car might charge from 30% to 80% in around 20 minutes. With a petrol car, I can fill the tank, pay, and be back on the road in five minutes. I can then spend the remaining 15 minutes having that same coffee or KFC if I choose. So when travelling, the difference is often less significant than people make out, provided you're already planning to stop for a rest or a meal. The charging time is effectively being used for something else. We've also charged at hotels, but that requires choosing accommodation that actually offers charging facilities. Even then, the process isn't always straightforward because every provider seems to have its own system. Typical examples include: Downloading an app and pre-loading credit (for example, 400 baht), then returning later once you've used the credit and moving the car so another EV can use the charger. Downloading a different app, scanning a QR code, plugging in, monitoring the session through the app, receiving a notification when charging is complete, and then returning to move the vehicle. I've even used EV chargers at petrol stations where another driver was waiting for the charger when I returned. Queues do happen, although I've personally never had to wait for a charger myself. Some charging networks allow you to reserve a charger ahead of time, but that's not always easy when you're already on the road, and it's practically impossible to arrange while driving alone. Because we charge away from home so infrequently, almost every public charging session seems to involve some kind of setup issue becuase our App was out of date / the next station is a new company etc. An app needs updating, a new app needs downloading, payment details need entering again, or an account needs reactivating before charging can begin. At the moment, I have 12 different charging apps installed on my phone. So, in summary, much of this comes down to perspective and personal experience. If you mostly charge at home, an EV is significantly more convenient than having to visit a petrol station every week. If you're travelling long distances and relying on public infrastructure, petrol is still simpler and more straightforward. Public EV charging is entirely manageable, but it introduces an extra layer of complexity that consumes more time and attention than the simple "plug in and charge" experience we're often led to expect. The experience also improves considerably if you're a frequent EV driver. If you regularly charge on the road, you'll already have the apps installed, payment methods set up, and a good understanding of the charging networks, so many of these frustrations largely disappear. Neither system is perfect. Home charging is where EVs really shine, while petrol still holds an advantage for simplicity and convenience during long-distance travel. Seems strange - No App or QR code to download - how do you pay for charging ? Or, are you using the 'Tesla' system with an account thats 'pre-set' up - so effectively its 'tap and go' with no QR codes etc ?
