Public charging review: Tesla Model 3 2021, David

David runs a Tesla Model 3 electric car comments on public charging.

What do you think of the UK public charging network in general?

Unreliable – can never be really certain the charger will work and not be blocked by an ICE car or an inconsiderate EV
Complex – no standard operation method, some work cashless, others need RFID or App
Cost – significant difference between networks
VAT – applied at 20%, yet charge at home for 5%
En-route v destination chargers – lack of awareness of where each type should be located. Putting destination (AC) chargers in time-limited car parks???
Need to follow Tesla’s (Supercharger) example – reliable, fast & as easy to use as charging at home with penalties for not moving off charger when finished.

What and where are your favourite UK public chargers?

Braintree and similar where you have multiple networks and a service station.

What’s been your best experience with a UK public charger?

Having failed to charge at a bp pulse I just managed to get to a Tesla Supercharger which was fast, easy to use and 5 mins walk from the services, so no bays blocked by ICE cars.

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What’s been your worst experience with a UK public charger?

Trying and failing to get a bp pulse charger to work. Tried cashless and then the App. Tried calling bp but no response. bp pulse has a great network but only ever 50/50 whether they work. Great if you want to top-up and can find one that works though.

What’s got to change about public charging in the UK to get more people driving electric cars?

Facilities where people who cannot charge at home can charge at a cost that is more equitable to home charging
Even if a public network offered a similar rate to home charging, you still pay 20% VAT, whereas charging at home is only 5% VAT.
If you cannot charge at home don’t get an EV until solutions are found.

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