Poor mobile signal slowing EV switch

Are Public Chargepoints Across Britain Struggling with Mobile Signal Connectivity?

A recent study conducted by the RAC Foundation has shed light on a concerning issue – around two-thirds of Britain’s most common type of public chargepoints are facing limited mobile signal connectivity. This revelation has raised questions about the reliability of these chargers and the overall infrastructure supporting electric vehicles.

The RAC Foundation delved into a randomly selected sample of 2,059 Type-2 public chargers spread across the UK. The findings were quite alarming, as the majority of these chargers did not have sufficient coverage from all four major mobile phone network providers. This lack of coverage poses a significant challenge as it hinders the activation of these chargers 100% of the time.

According to the research, outside of London, only a third (33.4%) of the Type-2 chargers analysed are located in areas with acceptable all-network 4G coverage. On the flip side, the remaining two-thirds (66.4%) are situated in spots where the signal from one, two, three, or all providers is either absent or too weak to function properly.

At the beginning of this year, there were a total of 53,677 public charging devices in the UK, as per data from the Department for Transport sourced from ZapMap. Among these, 31,910 chargers offer speeds of up to 8kw, with the majority falling under the Type-2 category. Unlike faster chargepoints, those below 8kw are not required to facilitate contactless payments, leaving most drivers reliant on mobile phone apps for access.

The imminent shutdown of the national 3G network by 2033 poses a further challenge for locations where 4G coverage is lacking. While some spots might still have a residual 3G signal, major network providers like Vodafone, EE, Three, and O2 have been phasing out their 3G services. This raises concerns about the future connectivity options available for electric vehicle owners.

Steve Gooding, the director of the RAC Foundation, highlighted the importance of considering real-world network coverage when designing systems that rely on mobile connectivity. Gooding emphasised the need for a better approach to assessing and reporting the adequacy of on-the-move connectivity to ensure that electric chargepoint providers can address the shortcomings of mobile networks effectively.

Concerns have been raised about potential battery-led breakdowns due to unreliable signal connectivity at chargepoints. To mitigate this issue, various workarounds have been proposed, including signposting WiFi hotspots, utilising roaming SIM cards, deploying antennae for better data connections, expanding the use of roaming RFID cards, enhancing signal quality, providing satellite internet services, and offering free chargers in areas with signal breakdowns.

It is evident that ensuring reliable mobile signal connectivity at public chargepoints is crucial for building trust and confidence among electric vehicle drivers. The findings of this research highlight the pressing need for a comprehensive approach to address the connectivity challenges faced by the current infrastructure supporting electric vehicles.