A recent UK-wide survey has revealed that a significant 83% of electric vehicle (EV) drivers encountered difficulties when attempting to use public charging infrastructure over the past year.

The research, conducted by temporary car insurance provider Tempcover, surveyed 1,000 EV drivers and highlights a range of ongoing challenges despite growing EV adoption. With electric vehicles expected to account for 24% of new car sales by 2025—falling short of the government’s 28% target—these findings raise fresh concerns over the readiness of public charging provision.

Common Charging Challenges Identified

While the government has announced a £65 million investment to enhance EV charging infrastructure, nearly one in three drivers surveyed said they had experienced charging issues within the last month, and over a third reported problems as recently as the past week.

The most commonly cited barriers to charging included:

• Charging station occupied by another EV – 26%
• Out-of-order charger – 24%
• Faulty or unreliable charger – 21%
• Long queues or wait times – 19%
• Charging space blocked by a petrol or diesel car – 17%
• Payment method or system issues – 14%
• Incompatible connector – 12%
• Weather-related complications – 12%
• Interrupted charging session – 11%
• Requirement for a specific app or access card – 11%

Multiple responses were permitted, and several drivers also noted issues such as unclear instructions, technical faults with the vehicle’s charging port, and cables that were too short. Alarmingly, nearly 10% reported running out of battery power before reaching a charging point.

Expert Comment: Infrastructure Must Keep Pace

Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, commented on the findings:

“As EVs continue to gain popularity, it’s crucial that public charging infrastructure keeps up with demand—particularly around availability, reliability and ease of use. These issues can be especially frustrating for drivers who rely heavily on public charging networks.”

Top Tips for EV Drivers

To support EV users facing such challenges, Tempcover has issued practical advice:

• Plan ahead: Use EV apps or online maps to check real-time charger availability before setting off.
• Have backup options: Identify alternative charging points along your planned route.
• Be payment ready: Ensure you have the necessary apps, RFID cards or contactless payment methods available.
• Avoid peak times: Charging stations are typically busier during commuting hours—off-peak charging may be more efficient.
• Report faults: Notify the charge point operator of any issues so that they can be addressed promptly.
• Consider temporary car insurance: If your EV runs out of charge or you face prolonged unavailability of chargers, a short-term policy may provide flexible access to an alternative vehicle.