Public EV charging problems

A recent Tempcover survey found that 83% of UK drivers have struggled with public charging issues in the past 12 months[1].

Electric vehicles are expected to account for 24% of new car sales by the end of 2025[2], ahead of the planned ban of sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030[3]. However, EV drivers are facing a number of challenges when it comes to charging their vehicles in public places including, but not limited to, the following:

• Occupied stations
• Technical difficulties
• Payment issues

Common issues with public electric vehicle charging points

We surveyed over 1,000 EV drivers[4] across the UK and these were some of the most common reasons they cited for being unable to charge their vehicles:

• The charging station was occupied by another EV vehicle—26%
• The charging station was out of order—24%
• The charging station was not functioning properly—21%
• There was a long queue or waiting time for a charger—19%
• The charging parking space was occupied by a petrol/diesel car—17%
• There was an issue with the payment method or system—14%
• The charging connector was incompatible with my EV—12%
• Weather conditions—12%
• The charging session was unexpectedly interrupted—11%
• The charging station required a specific app or card that I did not have—11%

*Multiple responses permitted from those who have experienced difficulty using public charging.

Nearly one in 10 EV drivers mentioned that they ran out of battery before reaching a public charging point. Other reasons listed include:

• Technical issues with the vehicle’s charging point
• Unclear instructions at the charging station
• The cable being too short

Top tips for electric vehicle charging

Looking to avoid problems with EV charging? The following tips can help you navigate the challenges while the UK works to improve its electric car charging stations and opportunities.

• Plan ahead: Use apps or check Google Maps to check charger availability before heading out.
• Have backup options: Identify multiple charging points along your route, just in case your first choice is unavailable.
• Prepare a variety of payment methods: Make sure you have the required apps, cards, or contactless payment methods to avoid issues when it comes to pay.
• Be mindful of peak hours: Charging points tend to be busier during certain times of the day, so aim to charge during off-peak hours where possible.
• Report issues: If you encounter a faulty charger, be sure to notify the provider so it can be addressed for future users.
• Consider temporary car insurance: If you’re stuck with an electric car with no battery and you need to get somewhere fast, temporary car insurance can help. With this short-term cover - available from as little as an hour - you can borrow a friend’s car to get where you need to go, all with the peace of mind fully comprehensive cover brings.

As electric vehicles gain popularity, drivers will want charging infrastructure to keep up with demand, especially when it comes to availability, reliability and accessibility.