Tesla and Rivian head EV charging network reliability race

In a comprehensive survey conducted by Consumer Reports, several electric vehicle (EV) charging networks have been evaluated for their efficiency and reliability. The survey, which gathered responses from 1230 EV owners between March 2024 and February 2025, revealed some significant issues that need addressing.

The survey found that EVgo had a reported issue rate of 43%, with Blink following closely behind at 41%. The most common issues cited included malfunctioning payment systems and faulty charging hardware. Tesla's Supercharger network, however, reported a lower issue rate of 4%, demonstrating the company's commitment to maintaining the smooth operation of its network through significant investments in high-quality hardware and software updates.

The survey also highlighted some specific issues. For instance, 19% of reported payment issues involved a transaction that was accepted but failed to initiate a charge. Additionally, 76% of all charger-related issues stemmed from broken or unresponsive screens or error messages.

Despite these challenges, Tesla's Supercharger network is becoming a popular choice for an increasing number of EV drivers due to its expanding availability. As more automakers integrate Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors into their vehicles, the Supercharger network's popularity is likely to increase further.

Other charging networks, such as Rivian's Adventure Network and Shell's Recharge network, also faced issues. Rivian's charging network, despite having fewer sites and chargers, had an issue rate of 5%, similar to Tesla's efficiency. Shell's Recharge network reported problems in nearly half (48%) of their charging sessions.

In response to these findings, Drew Toher, a campaign manager at Consumer Reports, stated that the survey will hold charging networks accountable and improve drivers' experience with public charging. Both Rivian and Shell, along with other charging networks, are taking steps to address these issues and improve their services.

Rivian, for instance, is opening its charging network to other EV drivers, with the first non-Rivian accessible station located in Joshua Tree National Park, California. This move is expected to enhance the EV driving experience for a wider range of drivers.

In conclusion, while there are challenges in the EV charging network landscape, efforts are being made to improve the situation. Consumers can look forward to a more seamless and reliable charging experience in the near future.

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