Most UK EV driverscharge at home, says Zenith.

Electric vehicle drivers in the UK are facing significant challenges when it comes to relying solely on the public charging network, despite the rapid growth in the number of public chargers available. According to a new report, over half (52%) of electric vehicle drivers say they would encounter difficulties if they had to depend solely on the public charging network for their energy needs.

The EVXperience Report (EVX2), published by Zenith, surveyed nearly 2,800 electric vehicle customers to gather insights into their experiences with driving electric vehicles. The findings revealed that 69% of drivers primarily rely on charging their vehicles off-street at home, with only 14% using the public charging network as their main energy source. This highlights a potential “driveway divide” between those with off-street parking who can easily use home chargers and those who rely on the more expensive public charging network.

Compared to last year, electric vehicle drivers have become less satisfied with the range of their vehicles (7.7/10 down to 6.7/10) and the overall charging experience (8.1/10 down to 7.4/10), according to the research. Despite these concerns, the majority of EV drivers remain optimistic about the future of electric vehicle adoption in the UK. A considerable 82% of respondents believe that the charging infrastructure will improve over the next three years, indicating that concerns about “range anxiety” may diminish as the charging network expands in both size and quality.

Tim Buchan, CEO of Zenith, commented on the findings, stating, “The growth in the number of battery electric vehicles on the road has been rapid, and it comes as no surprise that establishing a comprehensive public charging network to support this transition would be a monumental task.”

“While progress is being made, with a 46% increase in the number of charge points in January 2024 compared to the previous year, there is still work to be done to address the worsening public perceptions of the network. It is essential for the Government to consider equalising VAT on public charging, a missed opportunity in the recent Budget, and to expedite grid connections for charge point providers to enhance capacity,” Buchan added.

He further emphasised the importance of public charging providers offering a consistent, reliable, and user-friendly experience to consumers, especially for longer trips. By implementing measures such as more competitive pricing, faster deployment of charging infrastructure, and improved services, the industry can drive forward the transition to electric vehicles.

Despite the current challenges and concerns raised by electric vehicle drivers, there is a shared belief in the industry’s potential to overcome these obstacles and create a more seamless and efficient electric vehicle charging network in the near future. With continued advancements in technology and infrastructure, the vision of a sustainable, electric future is within reach for the UK.