Top 5 Public charging networks – Spring 2022

Top 5 Public charging networks - Spring 2022

Welcome to Electric Road’s all-new ‘Top 5 Public charging networks.’

At Electric Road, our key objective is to be as useful as we possibly can be for those considering their first/next electric car and related products & services. Good public charging networks are really important for most electric car owners regardless of whether they have a home charging unit or not. This is because of the mixed experience owners have had with the UK infrastructure to-date with reliability, ease of use and payment methods being the key areas of frustration.

 

Owner Ratings

Based on the hundreds of Owner Reviews we receive each month, we have extracted the top 5 highest-rated public charging networks based on owner feedback where we ask them to list, in order, their top 3 networks. From this we have added up the number of times a particular company has appeared within the Owner Reviews and the results are below.

 

We hope this summary of EV owners’ opinions will help you somewhat in your understanding of public charging networks. The Top 5 Public charging networks will be updated each quarter ensuring you have the latest trends from the Electric Road audience.

 

 

Top 5 Public charging networks

 

  1. InstaVolt

  2. Pod Point

  3. IONITY

  4. bp pulse

  5. GRIDSERVE

 

 

1. InstaVolt

 

 

InstaVolt is our clear winner for Spring 2022 with owners loving their reliability and ease of use.

 

 

About InstaVolt (by themselves)

We provide easy access to charging units that help drivers get back on the road quickly. We pride ourselves on having the simplest and most transparent approach to electric vehicle charging in the UK. All our charging units are available for EV drivers to use on a pay-as-you-go, no subscription basis. There’s no connection charge; drivers simply tap their contactless credit or debit card and only pay for the electricity used.

(as published on their website, April  2022)

 

 

Here’s what some of our owners say about InstaVolt:

 

‘Instavolt is way ahead and I only really use them as I have had problems with most others.’

Jaguar I-PACE 2019, Keith G. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘Instavolt are stand out excellent public chargers for us. Just so simple to use, swipe your debit card and charge, very easy!’

Polestar 2 2021, Ross Jones. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘We have definitely had our best experiences with Instavolt with best reliability and easiest to work out what to do.’

Nissan LEAF Tekna 40kWh 2018, Mark Thompson. Read the full Owner Review here

 

 

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2. Pod Point

 

 

Top 5 Public charging networks - Spring 2022

 

About Pod Point (by themselves)

Pod Point is one of UK’s leading providers of electric vehicle charging. Since forming in 2009, we have manufactured and sold over 137,000 charging points** across the UK. We’ve also developed an extensive public network connecting EV drivers with 6,200+ charging bays** at locations including Tesco, Lidl and Center Parcs.

 

We install smart home charging points for customers of major automotive brands including Audi, Nissan, Volkswagen and Hyundai while our Workplace and Fleet customers include countless high profile companies like Skanska, Mitie and Pepsico. We also work with top property developers and managers like Barratt Homes, Savills and Bellway to wire up their developments.

 

Through our network of home, workplace and public charging points we have powered over 593 million miles* of electric driving.

 

* In 2021 and as of 31st December 2021.
**As of 31st December 2021.

(as published on their website, April 2022)

 

 

Here’s what some of our owners say about Pod Point:

 

‘Pod Point – I only use 50kW charges when on long journeys as they’re very quick for a full charge; they cost a bit more but well worth it. Most of the charge points are very easy to use.’

Citroen e-C4 2021, Paul. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘Pod Point – easy to use, great app.’

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2022, TrevorHenna. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘Pod Point is by far the most readily available public chargers around my area. Most are free and are 7kW chargers but I have found a couple of 22kW free chargers which is amazing and I use every morning.’

Tesla Model Y 2022, Will. Read the full Owner Review here

 

 

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3. IONITY

 

 

Top 5 Public charging networks - Spring 2022

 

Andreas Atkins, Country Manager UK & Ireland, stated:

“Our goal is to support customers travelling long distances in electric vehicles, where reliability, speed and power of charge is of the highest importance. To hear that customers are saying we are among the most reliable, easy-to-use and fastest chargers in the UK means we are doing our job of making e-mobility an obvious and accessible option for everyone. This year marks accelerated expansion for IONITY in the UK, so we can continue to grow and better serve customer demand for fast EV charging.”

 

 

Here’s what some of our owners say about IONITY:

 

‘IONITY – easy to use and reliable.’

Ford Mustang Mach-E ER 2021, KrystynaS. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘IONITY – Only interested in fast charging, reliability and simplicity (no proprietary RFIDs, logins etc.’

MG5 2020, Paul. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘IONITY – they are super fast chargers.’

Polestar 2 Dual Motor 2022, Nick. Read the full Owner Review here

 

 

Win your dream electric car here with Best of the Best (BOTB)!

 

 

4. bp pulse

 

 

Top 5 Public charging networks - Spring 2022

 

About bp pulse (by themselves)

Over the course of more than 10 years, we have established ourselves as the leader in electric vehicle charging, enabling EV drivers to charge at home, at work and on the go. On our mission to make charging fast and hassle-free, our charging points have been used over 35 million times to enable around 200 million miles of zero tailpipe emission driving. We work with the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers to support their customers, as well as some of the UK’s biggest fleets, leasing companies and local authorities. We are the UK’s only fully integrated, end-to-end manufacturer and operator of charging infrastructure, and our nationwide network of public charge points is recognised for its quality and reliability.

(as published on their website, April 2022)

 

 

Here’s what some of our owners say about bp pulse:

 

‘bp pulse – lots of chargers and some of the very latest technology.’

Vauxhall Mokka-e Premium 2021, Dennis. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘bp pulse – most reliable and often offer 50kW chargers.’

BMW i3S 120Ah 2020, Sam Watson. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘bp pulse – Good reliable, fast chargers.’

BMW iX3 M Sport Pro 2021, Mr H. Read the full Owner Review here

 

 

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5. GRIDSERVE

 

 

Top 5 Public charging networks - Spring 2022

 

About GRIDSERVE (by themselves)

Our low-cost, rapid and high power charging infrastructure is reaching every corner of the UK, covering 85% of the UK’s motorway network. We provide rapid and high powered charging at some of the lowest rates in the UK. Our next generation chargers are supported by renewable energy from our solar farms.

(as published on their website, April 2022)

 

 

Here’s what some of our owners say about GRIDSERVE:

 

‘Gridserve – fair price and customer service.’

Kia Soul 64kWh, Soul. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘Gridserve because they are contactless (i.e. you don’t need an app or RFID card). They are also reliable.’

Skoda CITIGOe 2020, Pauline. Read the full Owner Review here

 

‘Gridserve for speed and cost per kWh.’

Peugeot e-2008 2021, Nathan. Read the full Owner Review here

 

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