The Ultimate Charge Point List For EV Drivers

1= Fastned

• 30 rapid charging devices and 31 ultra-rapid devices at 12 locations across the UK
• Redbridge Park & Ride superhub opened this year near Oxford

Fastned might have escaped your EV radar and there’s good reason. It might be good, but there aren’t many places to find their chargers across the country. There are currently  60 charging devices with distinctive yellow canopies. Users said the fast chargers were  very reliable, and the charging experience was superb. You just have to find one.

1= MFG EV Power

• 220 ultra-rapid charging devices across 43 locations; predominantly at fuel forecourts
• Aiming to install 3,000 ultra-rapid chargers by 2031

The Motor Fuel Group has a foot in both camps. It has a network of refuelling stations for petrol and diesel cars, but also an expanding network of charging hubs. Users said there were always a large number of chargers at each location and reliability was good, although cost was rated as expensive.

3 InstaVolt

•  580+ rapid charging devices and 290+ ultra-rapid devices (up from 70 last year)
• Largest rapid charging network (after Tesla)
• InstaVolt devices are often located at Costa Coffee, KFC, Starbucks and McDonalds outlets as well as retail parks, gyms and service stations

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.”

If there was a complaint it was around the tight parking spaces at some InstaVolt charging locations.

4 = Connected Kerb

• 1,131 fast charging devices and seven slow devices across 308 locations
• Plans to install 190,000 on-street EV chargers by 2030

Connected Kerb is an on-street charging network. It has grown quickly during 2022 and plans to continue that growth through to 2030.

It 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. So what’s the downside? There’s no contactless payment option – you need to download the app. 

4= Osprey

• More than 325+ rapid charging devices, 20 ultra-rapid devices and eight fast devices across 206 locations
• National network located at high-quality sites such as Marston’s pub/restaurant chain, including recently opened Paisley Pear hub at Brackley

Sharing joint fourth is the Osprey network which is committed to creating safe and accessible charging points. It has also recently partnered with British Garden Centres.

Respondent feedback highlighted the reliability of Osprey chargers and the space provided at its new chargers. As with other rapid providers, high prices were highlighted, but typical of the charge point provider is this description: “good locations and tend to work well.”