The path to 99% charger availability
21 July 2025, Poole: The Public Charge Point Regulations have now been in force since November 2024, with the regulations designed to give electric vehicle (EV) drivers access to an efficient, robust and reliable charging infrastructure network.
At the heart of the regulations is a requirement for rapid charge point networks to be available for an average of 99% of the time during each calendar year. Penalties of up to £10,000 can now be imposed for any network of 50kW or above that fails to achieve this. 1 And to improve the driver experience even more, all new and existing public rapid charge points must also be fitted with a non-propriety payment solution – effectively, a contactless payment terminal.
Designed to improve reliability and lessen the issue of ‘charger availability anxiety’, it will be interesting to see the impact the regulations have in terms of charger performance and driver behaviour.
But before we look at how to achieve the 99% requirement, it’s worth setting the regulations in context and looking at the number of chargers operating across the UK – and how many more we need to install to meet the forecast demand.
According to ZapMap, 16,698 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, providing 28,849 connections, were in operation at the end of June 2025, with the overall public network consisting of 82,369 chargers (so that’s AC and DC combined). 2. In addition, it is estimated that there are around one million charge points installed at homes or workplaces, which is where the vast majority of charging still takes place.
We still have some way to go to meet the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) forecast 3. , which says the UK will need between 280,000 and 480,000 public charge points by 2030, including 6,000 charge points on the UK’s motorways and strategic road network.
Clearly there’s a lot still to be done in terms of rapidly expanding the network, but also, not least because of the Public Charge Point regulations, we need to make sure that the chargers are available at the time and place that drivers need them. This will build confidence and encourage more drivers to move to EVs.
To drive availability, we need to focus on five key areas:
- Regular Maintenance: Prompt and efficient maintenance, both planned and responsive, clearly plays a crucial role in keeping chargers operational. This means not only ensuring they deliver optimal performance, but also that any repairs are completed promptly before they escalate.
- Remote Monitoring: Using advanced software to monitor the status of chargers in real-time allows us to predict or identify problems quickly, often before users are affected.
- Built-in Redundancy: Chargers are now designed using multiple power modules so if a power module fails, the charger can still operate albeit at a lower output power. This is particularly important at locations where demand is high, and so any downtime can significantly impact drivers. In addition, the use of distributed power systems also reduces single points of failure. These systems use ‘hub and spoke’ topology, and feature multiple charging connections supplied from a single power cabinet.
- Customer Support: Providing 24/7 customer support enables users to report issues and receive the right level of support promptly, mitigating the impact of any downtime.
- Data Transparency: The new regulations require CPOs to publish their availability data annually, with the first reports due in January 2026. Making this data public will help drivers to make informed decisions about where to charge their vehicles and should help build integrity and confidence in the charger network.
Drawing on our experience of maintaining transport networks across the UK, we have developed a package of services and solutions to support the electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) sector, ensuring that charging networks operate at peak efficiency and meet the regulation’s availability requirements.
Our directly employed, nationwide team of skilled service engineers are all highly experienced in the installation and maintenance of complex roadside equipment, sometimes working in hazardous, high traffic areas. The EVCI team draws on this deep well of experience and expertise which, with our proven product and service portfolio, helps CPOs transition to bespoke, longer-term contracts with appropriate service level agreements that meet their exact requirements, enabling customers to develop and invest in the most appropriate EVCI solutions.
These services range from design and consultancy to charger installation, commissioning, and maintenance, with our integrated approach ensuring that all aspects of charging infrastructure are covered, from initial setup to ongoing operation.
With a widespread service network, our teams of service engineers can support charging needs across various locations, providing maintenance and support services nationally, and locally.
Our back-office software systems and around-the-clock contact centres enable continuous monitoring of charging infrastructure. This allows rapid response to issues and predictive maintenance activities, further increasing the availability of assets.
By combining monitoring systems with fault and asset management systems, we create a smooth workflow from fault report to resolution, with this approach ensuring that issues are addressed promptly, maintaining high levels of availability. Servicing and support play a crucial role in the EVCI ecosystem, ensuring EVCI delivers both reliability and efficiency. And as the EV market continues to grow, these capabilities will play a vital role in supporting the transition to a sustainable and electric future.
Maintaining a 99% availability of public EV chargers is undoubtedly a challenge, but it is achievable.
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-public-charge-point-regulations-2023-guidance/public-charge-point-regulations-2023-guidance#:~:text=alongside%20the%20regulations.-,Background,the%20consumer%20experience%20to%20ensure
2. https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats/how-many-charging-points
