The UK’s best and worst rated EV charging networks revealed

Zap-Map, the UK’s leading charge point mapping service, has released its annual public charging network satisfaction rankings for 2022 – But which network has come out on top?

Now in its fifth year, the league table comes from Zap-Map’s annual EV charging survey conducted in September 2022. The survey, which is the most established and comprehensive survey of EV drivers in the UK, saw record responses from more than 4,300 EV drivers.This year, Zap-Map is again awarding a ‘Best EV Charging Network’ accreditation to the top scorers, with the others in the top five also receiving an ‘EV Driver Recommended’ title.As part of the survey, respondents rated their overall satisfaction for the networks they use regularly, which is then used to rank each network out of a maximum of five stars. They also rated their level of satisfaction with the networks in five key areas: reliability, ease of use, customer support, value for money, and payment options.

Highest and lowest ranked EV charge point networks 2022/23

Joint 1st – Fastned and MFG EV – Star Rating 4.0

In joint-first place this year, and with a rating of 4.0 stars each, ultra-rapid charging networks Fastned and MFG EV Power share the top spot. It is no coincidence that both these networks provide ultra-rapid charging facilities in the form of eye-catching hubs around the country.With only 60 rapid and ultra-rapid charging devices across the country, Fastned may currently have a small UK presence, but not for much longer. The European network is quickly establishing a strong foothold in the UK and has plans for rapid expansion. Watch out for many more of Fastned’s distinctive yellow canopies popping up over the next few years.Reliability and ease of use were key to Fastned’s position this year, with the network coming in joint-first and first respectively. Feedback highlighted Fastned chargers as “Very reliable” and focused on the “superb charging experience.”While respondents to the survey were overwhelmingly positive about charging on Fastned devices, some did pick up on the current limited coverage: “Only a few locations but superfast” and “Love their plug and charge service, but not many chargers in the South.”At the very least, it seems Fastned’s Autocharge feature is a hit: “First class. Remembers my car, plug in, charge, unplug, go.”Tom Hurst, Fastned’s UK Lead & Network Development Manager, said: “We are incredibly honoured to be voted joint-top CPO for 2022, particularly given that this award is decided by our customers.“That means everything to us, and validates the efforts of our design, construction, and operations teams – all of whom are dedicated to rolling out the best customer experience possible through the EV revolution.“EV drivers have rightly set the bar high, and we will continue to do our best to exceed expectations as we exponentially grow our UK network.”Network stats:30 rapid charging devices and 31 ultra-rapid devices at 12 locations across the UKRedbridge Park & Ride superhub opened this year near OxfordSoon to become a live Zap-Pay partnerMFG EV Power, the ultra-rapid network from Motor Fuel Group, has more than 220 chargers up and down the country, but is aiming to install some 3,000 ultra-rapid devices by 2031. A new network last year, MFG EV Power has moved up from second place to share the top spot with Fastned this time around. MFG EV Power sites are typically at traditional petrol station locations, and are installed in charging hubs with at least four charging devices.As with Fastned, reliability and ease of use were integral to MFG EV Power’s position this year, with the network coming in joint-first for reliability and second for ease of use. Feedback highlighted “Good reliable chargers” from MFG EV Power plus a “Good large number of chargers at each site”.While some respondents described MFG sites to “Excellent. My favourite at present,” others noted price in their responses. “Very expensive but easily available,” said one. “Good, reliable but expensive,” said another. Although perhaps the pithiest was this one: “Their sites are brilliant, more please.”The network also came in joint-first for customer support – largely due to the fact that its devices are located at service stations – and first for payment options, which include Zap-Pay, contactless and the MFG EV Power app.“We’ve been working really hard to improve user experience over the last 12 months, so it’s great to see that our customers think the hard work is paying off,” said Ed Chadwick-Till, EV Director at Motor Fuel Group.“Our aim is simple: to make charging easy, reliable, and convenient. We believe we deliver this through our ultra-rapid hub format, and thanks to continued customer support we’re planning to accelerate our roll-out for 2023.“We’re thrilled to be voted the UK’s joint favourite charging network – thank you to all who voted for us.”Network stats:220 ultra-rapid charging devices across 43 locations; predominantly at fuel forecourtsAiming to install 3,000 ultra-rapid chargers by 2031MFG EV Power is a live Zap-Pay partner

3rd – InstaVolt – Star Rating 4.0

With nearly 900 rapid and ultra-rapid charging devices across the country, InstaVolt has the largest rapid network in the UK (second if including Tesla Superchargers). The network, which provides reliable rapid and ultra-rapid chargers with simple contactless payment from Scotland to Cornwall, came in third place for both reliability and ease of use.Respondents to the survey described InstaVolt devices as “Expensive but fast and reliable.” Others highlighted the breadth of the network too: “Great, reliable, easy PAYG and lots of chargers.”While many “Never had a problem” and “can always trust that an InstaVolt site will have a working charger,” drivers did find a little room for improvement, referencing “Tight parking spaces sometimes.”InstaVolt CEO Adrian Keen commented: “I’m once again delighted that InstaVolt has had such a strong showing in the annual Zap-Map driver survey.“The results this year really demonstrate the increased competition in the industry, and ultimately it is the consumer who will benefit through greater network coverage, reliability, and ease of use.“Such great progress in just 12 months shows that the networks are really ramping up their efforts and will be ready for 2030. InstaVolt is playing its part by targeting 10,000 chargers by 2032 across the UK.”Network stats:580+ rapid charging devices and 290+ ultra-rapid devices (up from 70 last year)Largest rapid charging network (after Tesla)Find InstaVolt devices at Costa Coffee, KFC, Starbucks and McDonalds outlets as well as retail parks, gyms and service stations

Joint 4th – Connected Kerb and Osprey – Star Rating 3.5

With a rating of 3.5 stars each, on-street charging network Connected Kerb and rapid charging network Osprey share fourth spot this year.With nearly 1,200 on-street charging devices across the country, Connected Kerb has grown quickly over the past year – and enters the league table for the first time. This growth is only set to continue, with the network recently securing up to £110 million from Aviva Investors in order to support its plans of delivering 190,000 on-street EV chargers by 2030.Connected Kerb scored the highest of any on-street network for reliability and it was a similar story for ease of use, with the network tabling a strong joint-fourth. Its only middling score was for payment options, due in all likelihood to its chargers not having contactless payment, although looking ahead the network will soon become a live Zap-Pay partner.Most feedback highlighted Connected Kerb chargers as “Good” and “Excellent and Reliable.” However, others focused on payment options, stating that it is “Easy once you download the app,” or that they “Would prefer contactless payment.”Chris Pateman-Jones, Connected Kerb CEO commented: “We are delighted to achieve such a high position in the Zap-Map rankings, a feat which is testament to the hard work and continued innovation of the Connected Kerb team.“We are focused on remaining a trusted provider of reliable, affordable and accessible charging infrastructure solutions as we grow our network and fulfil our mission to bring sustainable mobility to everyone.”Network stats:1,131 fast charging devices and 7 slow devices across 308 locationsPlans to install 190,000 on-street EV chargers by 2030Soon to become a live Zap-Pay partnerThis year, Zap-Pay launch partner Osprey moves from third place last year to share joint-fourth position with Connected Kerb.With more than 350 rapid and ultra-rapid across the UK, Osprey has committed to creating safe, accessible charging points – and recently launched a newly designed charge point to make this commitment a reality. The network has also partnered this year with British Garden Centres, and opened an important new hub at Paisley Pear in Northamptonshire.Osprey comes in fourth in terms of reliability this time around, down from third position last year. As with last year Osprey tables a strong fourth for ease of use, although this year it shares the position with Connected Kerb.Feedback highlighted the reliability of Osprey chargers and the space provided at its new chargers. As with other rapid providers, survey respondents highlighted high prices, but perhaps the best description is this one: “good locations and tend to work well.”Ian Johnston, CEO at Osprey Charging, commented: “Osprey is delighted to be awarded the title of Recommended Network for the second year running by Zap-Map, recognising our commitment to building a reliable, accessible and easy-to-use rapid EV charging network.“Between 2022 and 2023, Osprey will quadruple the size of its network to over 1,000 rapid chargers, and this recommendation from Zap-Map once again shows that we are building infrastructure that customers trust for their journeys.”Network stats:More than 325+ rapid charging devices, 20 ultra-rapid devices and 8 fast devices across 206 locationsNational network located at high-quality sites such as Marston’s pub/restaurant chain, including recently opened Paisley Pear hub at BrackleyZap-Pay launch partner, offering simple cross-network charging