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Electric vehicles

Electric Vehicle Drivers Face Significant Challenges with Public Charging Infrastructure

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Two-thirds of electric vehicle drivers have endured lengthy waiting times at public charging stations, with 22 minutes being the average delay experienced by respondents. Furthermore, 74% have witnessed public charging spots being blocked by cars that were not plugged in, and 64% have found devices not working. These issues highlight the need for reliable and accessible charging infrastructure for electric vehicle owners. According to Delvin Lane, chief executive of InstaVolt, the UK now boasts over 84,000 public charging points, with the network growing by around two new chargers every hour. Despite this growth, electric vehicle drivers continue to face significant challenges when it comes to public charging.

Key Takeaways:

  • 67% of electric vehicle drivers have had to wait more than ten minutes at a public charging station for an available device.
  • The average delay experienced by respondents was 22 minutes, with some reporting waits of up to two hours.
  • 74% of respondents had seen public charging spots blocked by cars that were not plugged in.
  • 64% had found devices not working at public charging stations.
  • 4 out of 5 electric vehicle drivers plan their routes to ensure they can visit places without needing to recharge en-route when it comes to leisure trips.
  • The UK now has over 84,000 public charging points, with the network growing by around two new chargers every hour.

Statistics:

  • 22 minutes: Average delay experienced by electric vehicle drivers at public charging stations.
  • 2 hours: Maximum reported waiting time at public charging stations.
  • 60%: Percentage of respondents who had found charging points not working.
  • 67%: Percentage of electric vehicle drivers who have had to wait more than ten minutes at a public charging station.
  • 74%: Percentage of respondents who had seen public charging spots blocked by cars that were not plugged in.
  • 64%: Percentage of respondents who had found devices not working.
  • 84,000: Number of public charging points in the UK.

Sources:

  • "Direct Line Insurance survey of 1,000 electric vehicle drivers" [Source]
  • Report by the National Audit Office [Source]
  • Censuswide research company [Source]
  • InstaVolt [Source]

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