Most UK electric car chargepoint operators aren’t hitting government reliability targets, with new research showing a significant gap between policy expectations and real-world performance.
Monta surveyed more than 200 senior decision-makers at UK chargepoint operators and found widespread struggles with the government’s 99% uptime requirement. According to the charging platform’s study, just 4% of operators reported achieving 99.5% uptime or above.
The Public Charge Point Regulations set the 99% reliability standard as part of broader requirements introduced in 2023.
Three-quarters of operators said they’re achieving uptime above 95%. But they’re pointing to factors beyond their direct control as barriers to meeting the mandated performance levels.
Maintenance and Technical Challenges
Slow maintenance response times emerged as the biggest operational challenge, cited by 45% of operators surveyed.
More than 40% said they lack control over firmware updates and component durability – issues that directly impact charger reliability. Grid connection problems and power supply issues also contributed to below-target performance for 41% of respondents.
The findings highlight what operators describe as “government rules outpacing operational reality” as the industry adapts to stricter regulatory standards.
“The findings underline the scale of operational, technical and financial pressures facing CPOs as the sector works to adapt to higher regulatory expectations,” said Jon Evans, head of market for the UK and Ireland at Monta.
Public charger reliability remains a primary concern for both current EV drivers and those considering making the switch to electric vehicles.
Regulatory Compliance Pressures
The 2023 regulations established comprehensive standards for chargepoint operators beyond just uptime requirements. Operators must also provide 24/7 customer support, include contactless payment options, and follow open data practices.
When asked about their biggest regulatory challenges, 56% of executives identified the 99% uptime requirement as their top concern.
Round-the-clock customer support obligations worried 47% of operators, while the same percentage expressed concern about potential £10,000 penalties for non-compliance. Limited government support and funding affected 44% of respondents, and open data compliance requirements challenged 42%.
Evans noted the complexity of achieving those final percentage points of reliability.
“Operators are investing heavily, but without consistent diagnostic data and a phased approach, the risk of punitive fines could slow rather than encourage progress,” he said.
Real-time performance monitoring capabilities remain limited across the network. Only a small portion of operators can track charger performance as issues develop.
The regulations aim to build public confidence in EV charging infrastructure as the government pushes toward wider electric vehicle adoption. Reliable charging access is seen as essential for convincing more drivers to switch from petrol and diesel cars.
But the gap between regulatory expectations and current operational capabilities suggests the industry needs more time – and potentially more support – to meet the government’s ambitious reliability standards.
