Welcome to Electric Road’s ‘Top 5 Public Charging Networks Autumn 2022’.
At Electric Road, our key objective is to be as useful as we possibly can be for those considering their first or 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 some owners have had using 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 2,500 Top 5 EV Surveys received up to and including 30th September, Electric Road 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 5 public charging networks. From this, we have added up the number of times a particular company has appeared within the Top 5 EV Surveys 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 owner feedback from Electric Road.
Top 5 Public Charging Networks
1. InstaVolt
InstaVolt is our winner once again with owners loving their reliability and ease of use in particular.
About InstaVolt
- Simple pricing fees – All InstaVolt chargers cost £0.75 per kWh with no need to worry about hidden costs like unexpected connection or membership fees
- Reliable and trusted – We provide 24-hour care, whenever and wherever you need it. However, with 99.8% uptime across our network, we don’t think you’ll need us that often!
- Tap or app to charge – Simply tap and pay with your contactless debit or credit card – it’s that easy! You can also use the InstaVolt app if you prefer to pay online
- Rapid EV charging – InstaVolt EV chargers deliver high power, DC charging from 50kWh to 150kWh via open standard connectors.
(as published on their website, December 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
Are you seriously considering your first or next EV? Then visit Electric Road’s CAR FINDER to get the right car for you!
2. GRIDSERVE
About GRIDSERVE
Our mission
GRIDSERVE’s mission is to deliver sustainable energy on the scale needed to move the needle on climate change. Our reason for being is simple: we want to leave this world a better place than we found it. To do this, we’re working tirelessly to innovate the solutions needed to deliver a paradigm shift so we can reshape energy and transport in the UK forever.
(as published on their website, December 2022)
Here’s what some of our owners say about GRIDSERVE:
‘GRIDSERVE – fair price and customer service.’
KIA Soul EV First Edition 64kWh 2020, 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 P. Read the full Owner Review here
Are you seriously considering your first or next EV? Then visit Electric Road’s CAR FINDER to get the right car for you!
3. 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 175,000 charging points* across the UK. We’ve also developed an extensive public network connecting EV drivers with 7,300+ 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 592 million miles* of electric driving.
* In 2022 and as of 30th June 2022.
**As of 30th June 2022.
(as published on their website, December 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 ER AWD 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 Long Range 2022, Will. Read the full Owner Review here
Are you seriously considering your first or next EV? Then visit Electric Road’s CAR FINDER to get the right car for you!
4. 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 AWD 2021, KrystynaS. Read the full Owner Review here
‘IONITY – (I’m) only interested in fast charging, reliability and simplicity (no proprietary RFIDs, logins etc).’
MG5 EV 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
Are you seriously considering your first or next EV? Then visit Electric Road’s CAR FINDER to get the right car for you!
5. Osprey
About Osprey
Osprey provide all drivers with high-power electric vehicle charging in a convenient and thoughtfully placed network, across the UK. Our charging is fast, reliable and easy-to-use and we secure long-term partnerships with landlords and local authorities. We’re building the charging network for the future of transport, to benefit the next generation and our planet.
(as published on their website, December 2022)
Here’s what some of our owners say about Osprey:
‘They have excellent customer support.’
MG5 EV Long Range Exclusive 2021, Olivarus. Read the full Owner Review here
‘Osprey for reliability and ease of use.’
KIA e-Niro 4 64kWh 2020, Gill Nowell. Read the full Owner Review here
‘Osprey have never let me down yet.’
Renault Zoe GT Line 50kW 2021, Kevin. Read the full Owner Review here
Are you seriously considering your first or next EV? Then visit Electric Road’s CAR FINDER to get the right car for you!
