Katy shares her experience of public charging with her BMW iX3 M Sport Pro 2023.
What do you think of the UK public charging network in general?
In June 2023 when I first bought my new iX3 there were plenty of public chargers available but now I have trouble finding any that are available. People tend to plug-in and disappear for 4-5 hours. The fast chargers are very rarely available. If a Tesla is plugged in then the units only have enough power to supply electricity for one fast charge at a time.
I am becoming very frustrated and disenchanted with the public charging network. Apparently, a lot of people go out at midnight to try to find an available charger?! There are often problems with chargers being broken or damaged & it takes weeks to get them repaired. I had a problem with a Tesla driver unplugging my car & plugging his car in!! This is not supposed to be able to happen!!
What and where are your favourite UK public chargers?
ChargePlace Scotland has good support at the end of the phone but some chargers don’t work & their App is slow to update so by the time you arrive at a charger it has been occupied by someone else. A few local authorities like East Ayrshire & South Ayrshire have some free chargers but they are nearly always occupied. They need to have wardens policing public chargers as many people monopolise & abuse the free ones.
What’s been your best experience with a UK public charger?
Normally when you are new to driving an electric car other drivers using public chargers are extremely helpful & pass on their knowledge & tips willingly. There is a great network of EV drivers out there who are happy to pass on their info to others while waiting to charge their car.
What’s been your worst experience with a UK public charger?
The white Tesla driver who unplugged me!! Also, there’s never a charger available when you need one!
What’s got to change about public charging in the UK to get more people driving electric cars?
Many more fast chargers installed rather than the slow ones would get everyone moving more quickly. All new houses with a driveway should come with a home charger as standard. Home chargers should feature on Home Reports in Scotland. All lamp posts could include a public charger too. Unless the infrastructure improves with regards to fast public charging people will not be buying EVs in greater numbers.
*Press image used.
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