I ride for 90 (dark) minutes per day and I charge the18650 lithium batteries for my 2xCree Q5s (bike mounted), and Trailblaze SSC-P7 (helmet mounted) torches on Wednesday and Friday. My rear 2xBlackburn Mars 4.0s (3xaaa) easily last a full week. The
Proviz vest (2xaa) lasts a month.
It only takes a minute to pop batteries on charge. I can only assume that those people who run on low lights either aren't using re-chargeables and just wait until they die (the batteries, not the people.......although maybe they will if they ride without lights?)
My set cost under £100, but I must admit I did cock up by buying cheaper lights first. I know you
can spend much, much more on lights, but mine are plenty bright enough to light up the road front and rear, without being blindingly bright for other road users.