Welcome to Electric Road’s ‘Top 5 Public Charging Networks’ Summer 2022.

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 owner feedback from over 1,800 Owner Reviews received up to and including 30th June, Electric Road (ER) has extracted the top 5 highest-rated public charging networks in the UK. Within the review forms, all owners are asked to list their top 3 public charging 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 in your understanding of public charging networks. Given how quickly the UK charging infrastructure is growing, 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

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

About InstaVolt 

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, July 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

About Pod Point 

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, July 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

About IONITY

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

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4. GRIDSERVE

About GRIDSERVE

‘We aim to provide competitive pricing across the network in order to improve the economics of owning an EV for our customers. Charging on the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway is available from 39p/kWh for AC and from 45p/kWh for DC.

• Standalone Low Power AC Chargers – 39p/kWh
• Electric Forecourt® Chargers  – 45p/kWh
• Medium Power Chargers – 48p/kWh
• High Power Chargers – 50p/kWh

The GRIDSERVE Electric Highway charging network is supported by low cost, renewable, solar energy, so when you charge at a GRIDSERVE location, you can rest assured you are helping to protect the planet, as well as the money in your pocket.’

(as published on their website, July 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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5. Tesla Superchargers

About Tesla Superchargers

‘The Supercharger network allows you to stay charged on the go. Plug in at a convenient location, grab a cup of coffee or a quick bite to eat, and get back on the road. With 35,000+ global Superchargers, the network gives you the freedom to travel.’

(as published on their website, July 2022)

Here’s what some of our owners say about Tesla Superchargers:

‘They’re plentiful, reliable and simple. All chargers should be this good’

Tesla Model 3 Long Range 2021, Oli. Read the full Owner Review here

‘Tesla. Nothing else comes close.’

Tesla Model 3 Long Range 2020, Charlie Lamdin. Read the full Owner Review here

‘Tesla – highly recommended, reliable and good availability. Some very busy routes can have queues at peak times, but there is usually an alternative charger. Because of range, rarely charge on motorway unless we’re stopping to eat.’

Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD 2021, Steve. Read the full Owner Review here

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