A new survey by temporary car insurance provider Tempcover has revealed that 83% of electric vehicle drivers in the UK encountered difficulties when using public charging points over the past year, underlining growing frustration with infrastructure that is failing to keep pace with EV adoption.
Based on responses from 1,000 EV drivers, the research shows that more than a third (36%) faced issues as recently as the past week, while 28% reported difficulties in the last month. The most common problem was finding a charger occupied by another EV (26%), closely followed by out-of-order stations (24%) and charging points that were not functioning properly (21%).
Other barriers included long queues (19%), ICE vehicles blocking EV spaces (17%), payment issues (14%), incompatible connectors (12%) and app or card requirements (11%). Nearly one in 10 drivers said they had run out of battery before reaching a charge point.
Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “As EVs continue to gain popularity, it’s crucial that public charging infrastructure keeps up with demand, especially in terms of availability, reliability, and accessibility. For those relying on public chargers and seeking to avoid some of the challenges highlighted in our survey, there are practical steps that can help – from planning routes in advance to reporting faulty stations and being prepared for multiple payment methods.”
She added: “By following these tips, drivers can better navigate the current charging challenges as the UK works to improve its infrastructure.”
The findings come as the government targets 28% of new car sales to be electric by 2025, but forecasts suggest the figure will fall short at 24%. A £65m investment into EV charging has been pledged, but as this survey demonstrates, many drivers are still encountering significant day-to-day problems on the road.
