Frogletsmum drives a Hyundai Kona Electric Premium SE 64kWh 2019 and shares their experiences to-date on public charging.
What do you think of the UK public charging network in general?
The majority of my mileage is local, so home charging is sufficient most of the time. However, at least once a month I undertake a longer journey from my home in Cheshire down to West London. My route is almost wholly motorway and yet there is only reliable charging place on the whole journey, the InstaVolt installation at Stroud Park, Banbury. Unfortunately, everyone else has now found it, so despite being doubled in size, sometimes I have to queue to get a charger. The facilities on the motorways are appalling.
Are you seriously considering your first or next EV? Then visit Electric Road’s CAR FINDER to get the right car for you!
What and where are your favourite UK public chargers?
My favourite charging facility is InstaVolt at Stroud Park, Banbury. InstaVolt, wherever I have used them, are pretty reliable. Second comes IONITY; whilst not as reliable they do have good customer service. But they don’t seem to have as many chargers on the routes I use. GRIDSERVE are a poor third in comparison.
What’s been your best experience with a UK public charger driving your Hyundai Kona Electric?
On the hottest day in 2022 I stopped at the IONITY charging facility in Beaconsfield on the M40. I had to stop here as I’d been unable to charge anywhere else and I was on my way to Canterbury. One of the chargers was not working properly but IONITY had had the good sense to send out a person to help customers. This amazing guy ensured that everyone got a charger in turn, helping those who had problems setting up their charger and chasing up individuals who didn’t bother to return when their car had finished charging. He made the wait tolerable and as short as possible.
What’s been your worst experience with a UK public charger?
Needless to say, GRIDSERVE. Having had to wait a considerable length of time at Cherwell Valley services these chargers are in the most stupid place, next to parking for motorbikes who overspill their small space into the charger space making one almost unusable. There are only two dual chargers, with one CHAdeMO lead. If the other charger has one person using a credit card, then the other lead won’t accept a credit card.
I finally managed to hitch up, swiped my card & ensured everything was working and the car was charging. I came back 40 minutes later to find the car had only charged for 2 minutes before switching itself off. This has happened a couple of times in several locations. Very unreliable.
What’s got to change about public charging in the UK to get more people driving electric cars?
There needs to be more charging facilities, especially on motorways. Most services only have a couple of chargers, usually situated in the most unsuitable locations. There needs to be whole sections of chargers and more destination chargers. Every large shop and petrol station should have charging areas.
See other public charging reports here
