UK EV Charging Network Comparison 2025: Complete Guide

UK EV Charging Network Comparison 2025: Complete Guide

Navigating the UK's fragmented public EV charging landscape—with over 15 major networks, wildly varying costs (42p-85p/kWh), and reliability ranging from 95% to 99.5% uptime—represents one of the most confusing aspects of UK EV ownership in 2025. While home charging delivers consistent costs and reliability, public network selection dramatically impacts long-distance travel convenience and expense, with poor choices costing £400-£800 annually for regular public chargers.

The UK charging market lacks the simplicity of petrol forecourts—instead, EV drivers must juggle multiple apps, membership schemes, RFID cards, and pricing structures across bp pulse, Shell Recharge, InstaVolt, Gridserve, Tesla Superchargers, and dozens of smaller operators. Understanding which networks offer best value, coverage, and reliability for your specific travel patterns transforms public charging from frustration to convenience.

This comprehensive guide compares all major UK public charging networks on pricing (membership vs pay-as-you-go), reliability (uptime statistics, user ratings), coverage (motorway vs urban vs rural), payment methods, and real-world user experiences—helping you identify the optimal networks and membership strategies that minimize costs and maximize charging success across England, Scotland, and Wales in 2025.

UK Public Charging Landscape Overview (2025)

Market Statistics:

• Total Public Chargers: 63,000+ (January 2025)
• Rapid Chargers (50kW+): 10,500+ (critical for journey charging)
• Ultra-Rapid (150kW+): 3,200+ (fastest growing segment)
• Major Networks: 15+ operators with 100+ sites each
• Payment Fragmentation: Average EV driver uses 4-6 different charging apps

Network Categories:

Tier 1: Ultra-Rapid Networks (150-350kW)

• Gridserve Electric Highway
• Ionity
• Tesla Supercharger (selected sites open to non-Tesla)
• bp pulse Ultra-Rapid

Tier 2: Rapid Networks (50-125kW)

• InstaVolt
• Shell Recharge
• GeniePoint
• Osprey Charging
• MFG EV Power (Welcome Break, Roadchef services)

Tier 3: Fast/Destination Charging (7-22kW)

• Pod Point
• ChargePlace Scotland
• Char.gy (on-street residential)
• Source London

Network Concentration by Region:

• South East England: Excellent coverage, all major networks present
• Midlands: Good motorway coverage, improving urban coverage
• North England: Good M6/M1 corridor, gaps in rural areas
• Scotland: ChargePlace Scotland dominates, improving rapid coverage
• Wales: Limited coverage improving (Gridserve, bp pulse expansion)
• Northern Ireland: ESB ecars primary network, limited alternatives

Major Network Detailed Comparisons

bp pulse (Formerly BP Chargemaster)

Network Size: 900+ rapid sites, 9,000+ total chargers

Charger Speeds:

• 50kW Rapids: £0.69/kWh
• 150kW Ultra-Rapids: £0.79/kWh
• 7-22kW Fast: £0.49/kWh

Coverage Strengths:

• ✅ Excellent motorway services coverage (M1, M6, M4, M25)
• ✅ Strong urban presence (BP forecourts, Tesco, Waitrose)
• ✅ Scotland coverage via partnership with Chargeplace Scotland

Membership Options:

• Pay-As-You-Go: £0.69-£0.79/kWh (contactless, no app required)
• bp pulse Subscription (£7.85/month): £0.59/kWh rapid, £0.69/kWh ultra-rapid
• Annual Saving (20 rapid charges/month): £312/year

Reliability: 96% uptime (company data Q4 2024)

Payment Methods:

• bp pulse app
• RFID card (free with account)
• Contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay, card)
• Roaming partners (Zap-Pay, Bonnet, Electroverse)

User Experience (Zap-Map Ratings): 4.1/5 (Good)

Pros:

• ✅ Widespread coverage (900+ sites)
• ✅ Competitive subscription pricing (saves £200-£400/year)
• ✅ Works with major roaming apps (Bonnet, Electroverse)
• ✅ Reliable motorway coverage

Cons:

• ❌ Pay-as-you-go pricing expensive (£0.79/kWh ultra-rapid)
• ❌ App reliability issues reported (connection failures, payment problems)
• ❌ Subscription only worthwhile for heavy users (20+ charges/month)

Best For: Regular motorway users who charge publicly 15-20+ times per month (subscription saves £200-£400/year)

Shell Recharge (Ubitricity + Recharge Network)

Network Size: 600+ rapid sites, 10,000+ total chargers (including acquired Ubitricity on-street)

Charger Speeds:

• 50kW Rapids: £0.85/kWh (PAYG)
• 175kW Ultra-Rapids: £0.85/kWh (PAYG)
• 7-22kW (Ubitricity): £0.49/kWh

Coverage Strengths:

• ✅ Shell forecourts nationwide (500+ locations)
• ✅ Waitrose car parks (partnership)
• ✅ London on-street (6,000+ Ubitricity lamp post chargers)

Membership Options:

• Pay-As-You-Go: £0.85/kWh (expensive)
• Shell Recharge Plus (£10/month): £0.79/kWh rapid, £0.45/kWh slow
• Annual Saving (modest—only £50-£100/year for regular users)

Reliability: 97% uptime (Shell data 2024)

Payment Methods:

• Shell Recharge app
• Shell Recharge card (free)
• Contactless (limited sites)
• Shell fuel loyalty integration (collect points)

User Experience: 3.9/5 (Zap-Map)

Pros:

• ✅ Shell forecourt convenience (fuel, amenities, toilets)
• ✅ London on-street dominance (Ubitricity acquisition)
• ✅ Earn Shell fuel loyalty points on charging
• ✅ Good app reliability

Cons:

• ❌ Expensive pay-as-you-go pricing (£0.85/kWh)
• ❌ Subscription savings minimal (£10/month only saves £50-£100/year)
• ❌ Ubitricity slow chargers only suitable for destination/overnight

Best For: London residents using on-street Ubitricity chargers, or Shell fuel loyalty members wanting integrated rewards

InstaVolt

Network Size: 1,300+ rapid chargers (50-125kW)

Charger Speeds: 50-125kW Rapids: £0.85/kWh (flat rate)

Coverage Strengths:

• ✅ McDonald's partnership (400+ locations)
• ✅ Tesco Extra stores (200+ sites)
• ✅ Costa Coffee drive-thrus
• ✅ Strong Scotland coverage

Pricing: £0.85/kWh (no membership, no subscription—simple flat rate)

Reliability: 98.5% uptime (industry-leading, verified by Zap-Map)

Payment Methods:

• Contactless payment ONLY (no app required)
• Apple Pay, Google Pay, debit/credit cards
• No RFID, no account needed

User Experience: 4.5/5 (Zap-Map—highest rated major network)

Pros:

• ✅ Industry-leading reliability (98.5% uptime)
• ✅ No app required (contactless simplicity)
• ✅ Transparent pricing (£0.85/kWh, no surprises)
• ✅ Convenient locations (McDonald's, Tesco, Costa)
• ✅ Fast activation (tap card, plug in, charging starts within 5 seconds)

Cons:

• ❌ Expensive vs subscription networks (£0.85/kWh vs £0.59-£0.69 with bp pulse subscription)
• ❌ No membership discounts available
• ❌ Limited ultra-rapid (most are 50-125kW, not 150-350kW)

Best For: Casual public chargers who prioritize reliability and simplicity over absolute cheapest price, or those who hate managing multiple apps

Gridserve Electric Highway

Network Size: 15 Electric Forecourts + 150+ rapid sites nationwide

Charger Speeds:

• 350kW Ultra-Rapids: £0.79/kWh
• 50kW Rapids: £0.69/kWh

Coverage Strengths:

• ✅ Dedicated Electric Forecourts (Braintree, Norwich, Gatwick, Amesbury, Birmingham, Leeds)
• ✅ 20-30 chargers per forecourt (guaranteed availability)
• ✅ Premium facilities (Costa, WHSmith, toilets, covered parking)

Membership: No subscription—pay-as-you-go pricing only

Reliability: 99% uptime at Electric Forecourts (company data)

Payment Methods:

• Gridserve app
• Contactless (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• RFID card
• Roaming (Bonnet, Electroverse)

User Experience: 4.6/5 (Zap-Map—premium experience)

Pros:

• ✅ Best-in-class facilities (covered charging, premium amenities)
• ✅ Guaranteed availability (20-30 chargers per forecourt)
• ✅ 350kW ultra-rapids (fastest UK public charging)
• ✅ High reliability (99% uptime)
• ✅ No queueing (multiple chargers always available)

Cons:

• ❌ Limited locations (15 Electric Forecourts vs 900+ bp pulse sites)
• ❌ Geographic gaps (none in Wales, few in Scotland, none in Northern Ireland)
• ❌ Premium pricing (£0.79/kWh ultra-rapid)
• ❌ Must plan routes around forecourt locations

Best For: Premium charging experience, guaranteed availability on major routes (M1, M6, M4, M25), willing to pay for reliability and amenities

Tesla Supercharger Network (Open to Non-Tesla)

Network Size: 120+ sites, 1,200+ individual stalls

Charger Speeds: 150-250kW (V3 Superchargers)

Coverage Strengths:

• ✅ Excellent motorway coverage (M1, M6, M4, M25, A1(M))
• ✅ Strategic service area locations
• ✅ High stall count per site (8-20 chargers)

Pricing (Selected "Open to Non-Tesla" Sites):

• Tesla Owners: £0.42-£0.55/kWh (cheapest UK rapid charging)
• Non-Tesla Owners: £0.67/kWh (60+ selected sites)

Non-Tesla Membership:

• Tesla Charging Membership: £10.99/month (reduces rate to £0.54/kWh for non-Tesla)
• Savings: £150-£300/year for regular users

Reliability: 99.5% uptime (industry-leading)

Payment Methods:

• Tesla app (required for non-Tesla access)
• Credit card linked to app

User Experience: 4.7/5 (Zap-Map—highest rated network)

Pros:

• ✅ Cheapest UK rapid charging (£0.42-£0.67/kWh)
• ✅ Highest reliability (99.5% uptime)
• ✅ Excellent coverage (120+ sites)
• ✅ Fast charging (150-250kW)
• ✅ High availability (8-20 stalls per site)

Cons:

• ❌ Limited non-Tesla access (only 60+ sites open to other EVs)
• ❌ More expensive for non-Tesla (£0.67/kWh vs £0.42-£0.55 for Tesla)
• ❌ App required (no contactless option)
• ❌ CCS only (CHAdeMO Nissan Leafs cannot use)

Best For: Tesla owners (cheapest, most reliable UK rapid charging), or non-Tesla CCS vehicles on routes with open Supercharger access (check Tesla app for open sites)

Ionity (European Ultra-Rapid Network)

Network Size UK: 70+ sites (350+ across Europe)

Charger Speeds: 350kW Ultra-Rapids (CCS only)

Coverage Strengths:

• ✅ Major UK motorways (M1, M6, M4, M25)
• ✅ Strategic service area placement
• ✅ European continuity (great for Euro road trips)

Pricing:

• Pay-As-You-Go: £0.74/kWh (expensive)
• Manufacturer Subscriptions (varies by brand):
  • Audi e-tron Charging Service: £0.31/kWh (cheapest UK rapid charging)
  • Mercedes EQ Charging: £0.36/kWh
  • Porsche Charging Service: £0.36/kWh
  • Hyundai IONIQ Charging: £0.35/kWh
  • Kia EV Charging: £0.35/kWh

Reliability: 98% uptime

Payment Methods:

• Ionity app
• Manufacturer charging cards (Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Hyundai, Kia)
• Contactless (limited)
• Roaming apps

User Experience: 4.2/5 (Zap-Map)

Pros:

• ✅ 350kW ultra-rapid (fastest charging available)
• ✅ Manufacturer subscription savings (£0.31-£0.36/kWh for brand owners)
• ✅ European network (seamless UK-Europe travel)
• ✅ Consistent quality (premium hardware)

Cons:

• ❌ Expensive PAYG (£0.74/kWh)
• ❌ CCS only (no CHAdeMO for Nissan Leaf)
• ❌ Subscription limited to specific brands (only works if you own Audi/Mercedes/Porsche/Hyundai/Kia)
• ❌ Limited UK coverage (70 sites vs 120 Tesla, 900 bp pulse)

Best For: Owners of Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Hyundai, or Kia EVs with manufacturer charging subscriptions (£0.31-£0.36/kWh = cheapest UK public rapid charging)

Pod Point

Network Size: 7,000+ chargers (mostly 7-22kW destination)

Charger Speeds: 7kW-22kW (slow/fast destination charging)

Coverage Strengths:

• ✅ Tesco stores (2,500+ chargers)
• ✅ Lidl partnership (growing network)
• ✅ Retail parks, shopping centers
• ✅ Hotels, attractions

Pricing: £0.48-£0.59/kWh (varies by location and host)

Reliability: 95% uptime (destination chargers less critical)

Payment Methods:

• Pod Point app
• RFID card
• Contactless (limited)

User Experience: 3.8/5 (Zap-Map)

Pros:

• ✅ Free Tesco charging (selected stores, 7kW for 1-2 hours)
• ✅ Widespread retail presence (convenient for shopping trips)
• ✅ Destination charging (2-3 hour stops)

Cons:

• ❌ Slow charging (7-22kW, not suitable for rapid journey charging)
• ❌ Variable reliability (older chargers, less maintenance)
• ❌ Tesco free charging disappearing (many stores now charging 48-59p/kWh)

Best For: Destination charging during shopping, errands, or leisure—NOT suitable for rapid journey charging

ChargePlace Scotland

Network Size: 2,200+ chargers across Scotland

Charger Speeds: 7kW-50kW (mix of slow, fast, rapid)

Coverage Strengths:

• ✅ Scotland-wide coverage (Highlands, islands, cities)
• ✅ Free at many locations (council-operated)
• ✅ Rural coverage (fills gaps where commercial operators won't install)

Pricing:

• Many Free Chargers: Council-operated sites (7-22kW)
• Paid Rapids: £0.35-£0.45/kWh (cheaper than commercial)

Reliability: 93% uptime (improving)

Payment Methods:

• ChargePlace Scotland RFID card (£20 deposit)
• ChargeYourCar app (reseller)

User Experience: 3.6/5 (Zap-Map)

Pros:

• ✅ Free charging at many locations
• ✅ Excellent rural Scotland coverage (where commercial networks don't operate)
• ✅ Cheap rapid charging (£0.35-£0.45/kWh)

Cons:

• ❌ Lower reliability (93% uptime vs 98%+ for commercial)
• ❌ Older equipment (slower charging speeds)
• ❌ RFID card required (£20 deposit, mailed card, 2-week wait)

Best For: Scotland residents and tourists—essential for Highlands, islands, and rural areas where commercial networks absent

Roaming Apps and Aggregators

Rather than managing 10+ individual network apps, roaming aggregators provide access to multiple networks through a single app:

Bonnet

Network Access: 17 networks in UK (bp pulse, Shell, InstaVolt, Gridserve, Pod Point, GeniePoint, etc.)

Pricing:

• Bonnet Basic (Free): Access all networks at standard PAYG rates
• Bonnet Turbo (£8/month): 15% discount on all charging
• Bonnet Premium (£16/month): 25% discount on all charging

Pros:

• ✅ Single app for 17 networks
• ✅ One monthly bill (instead of 17 separate charges)
• ✅ Premium membership saves £200-£500/year for heavy users

Cons:

• ❌ Doesn't include Tesla Superchargers or Ionity
• ❌ Premium membership expensive (£16/month = £192/year)

Best For: Heavy public chargers (30+ charges/month) who want consolidated billing and discounts

Electroverse (by Octopus Energy)

Network Access: 30+ networks UK (biggest aggregator)

Pricing: Standard network rates (no markup, no discount)

Pros:

• ✅ Largest network coverage (30+ networks)
• ✅ No fees, no subscription (free to use)
• ✅ Consolidated billing
• ✅ Integration with Octopus Energy customers

Cons:

• ❌ No discounts (pays standard network rates)
• ❌ Doesn't include Tesla

Best For: Occasional public chargers who want app simplification without subscription fees

Zap-Pay (by Zap-Map)

Network Access: 14 networks UK

Pricing: Standard network rates + small transaction fee (£0.35/charge)

Pros:

• ✅ Integrated with Zap-Map route planning
• ✅ No subscription required

Cons:

• ❌ Transaction fee (£0.35/charge)
• ❌ Smaller network coverage than Electroverse

Best For: Existing Zap-Map users wanting integrated payment

Cost Comparison: Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Regular Motorway User (30 Rapid Charges/Month, 60kWh per charge)

Annual Public Charging Need: 30 charges × 12 months × 60 kWh = 21,600 kWh

Network Option A: InstaVolt (No Membership)

• Cost: 21,600 kWh × £0.85/kWh = £18,360/year

Network Option B: bp pulse Subscription (£7.85/month)

• Cost: 21,600 kWh × £0.59/kWh + (£7.85 × 12) = £12,744 + £94 = £12,838/year
• Saving vs InstaVolt: £5,522/year

Network Option C: Tesla Supercharger (Tesla Owner)

• Cost: 21,600 kWh × £0.50/kWh avg = £10,800/year
• Saving vs InstaVolt: £7,560/year

Verdict: Heavy users save £5,000-£7,500/year with subscriptions or Tesla ownership

Scenario 2: Occasional Public Charger (4 Charges/Month, 40kWh per charge)

Annual Need: 4 × 12 × 40 = 1,920 kWh

Network Option A: InstaVolt (No Membership)

• Cost: 1,920 kWh × £0.85/kWh = £1,632/year

Network Option B: bp pulse Subscription

• Cost: 1,920 kWh × £0.59/kWh + £94 = £1,133 + £94 = £1,227/year
• Saving: £405/year (subscription worthwhile)

Network Option C: Bonnet Premium (£16/month, 25% discount)

• Cost: 1,920 kWh × £0.64/kWh (£0.85 - 25%) + £192 = £1,229 + £192 = £1,421/year
• Saving: £211/year (marginal)

Verdict: Occasional users save £200-£400/year with bp pulse subscription, but InstaVolt simplicity may be worth £400 premium for hassle-free charging

Membership Strategy Recommendations

Strategy 1: Heavy Public Charger (20+ Charges/Month)

Recommended Setup:

1. Primary: bp pulse Subscription (£7.85/month) - saves £300-£500/year
2. Backup: InstaVolt (no membership) - for reliability when bp pulse unavailable
3. Long Distance: Tesla Supercharger (if non-Tesla with access) or Ionity (if manufacturer subscription available)

Annual Cost: £94 bp pulse + occasional InstaVolt = £500-£800 savings vs no membership

Strategy 2: Occasional Public Charger (5-10 Charges/Month)

Recommended Setup:

1. Primary: Electroverse (free aggregator) - access 30+ networks, no fees
2. Backup: InstaVolt (no app required) - for simplicity
3. Avoid: Paid subscriptions (£94-£192/year not justified for low usage)

Annual Cost: No fees, pay standard network rates

Strategy 3: Scotland Resident

Recommended Setup:

1. Primary: ChargePlace Scotland RFID (£20 deposit) - free/cheap charging across Scotland
2. Secondary: bp pulse or InstaVolt - for rapid charging on motorways
3. Long Distance: Tesla or Gridserve - for England trips

Strategy 4: Tesla Owner

Recommended Setup:

1. Primary: Tesla Supercharger (£0.42-£0.55/kWh) - cheapest UK rapid charging
2. Backup: InstaVolt (£0.85/kWh) - for locations without Superchargers
3. Avoid: Other networks (Tesla is always cheapest)

Annual Saving vs Other Networks: £500-£1,000/year

Strategy 5: Audi/Mercedes/Porsche/Hyundai/Kia Owner

Recommended Setup:

1. Primary: Ionity Manufacturer Subscription (£0.31-£0.36/kWh) - cheapest UK ultra-rapid
2. Backup: InstaVolt or bp pulse - for non-Ionity locations

Annual Saving: £400-£700/year vs standard rapid charging

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which UK public charging network is cheapest in 2025? A: For Tesla owners, Tesla Superchargers (£0.42-£0.55/kWh). For Audi/Mercedes/Porsche/Hyundai/Kia owners, Ionity with manufacturer subscription (£0.31-£0.36/kWh). For other EVs, bp pulse subscription (£0.59/kWh rapid, £7.85/month) offers best value for regular users. Occasional users should use InstaVolt (£0.85/kWh, no membership) for simplicity.

Q2: Which network is most reliable? A: Tesla Superchargers lead at 99.5% uptime, followed by InstaVolt at 98.5%, and Gridserve Electric Forecourts at 99%. Commercial networks (bp pulse, Shell) average 96-97%. ChargePlace Scotland is lower at 93% but improving.

Q3: Do I need multiple charging network memberships? A: Heavy public chargers (20+ charges/month) benefit from one primary subscription (bp pulse or brand-specific Ionity) plus a simple backup (InstaVolt contactless). Occasional users should avoid subscriptions and use Electroverse aggregator (free) or InstaVolt. Managing 3+ paid subscriptions is typically not cost-effective.

Q4: Can I use any public charger with my EV? A: Most UK EVs use CCS connector for rapid charging (Tesla, VW, Hyundai, Kia, etc.) and work with all CCS networks. Nissan Leaf uses CHAdeMO, which works with bp pulse, InstaVolt, Shell, GeniePoint, but NOT Ionity or some Gridserve sites. Always check connector type before planning routes.

Q5: Are public charging networks cheaper than home charging? A: No. Home charging costs 7.5-27p/kWh (off-peak to standard) vs 42-85p/kWh public rapid charging. For 10,000 miles/year (2,850 kWh), home charging costs £214-£770/year vs £1,197-£2,423 public rapid charging. Use public charging for journeys, home charging for daily needs to minimize costs.

Q6: Which roaming app is best—Bonnet, Electroverse, or Zap-Pay? A: For heavy public chargers, Bonnet Premium (£16/month, 25% discount) saves £200-£500/year. For occasional users, Electroverse (free, no fees, 30+ networks) is best. Zap-Pay adds £0.35/charge transaction fee so only worthwhile for Zap-Map integration fans. Avoid managing multiple roaming apps—pick one.

Q7: Do I save money with a bp pulse subscription? A: Yes, if you rapid charge 8+ times per month. Subscription costs £7.85/month (£94/year) and reduces rapid charging from £0.69 to £0.59/kWh (£0.10/kWh saving). Break-even: 8 charges × 50 kWh × £0.10 = £40 monthly saving vs £7.85 cost. Heavy users save £200-£500/year.

Q8: Can non-Tesla EVs use Tesla Superchargers in the UK? A: Yes, at selected sites (60+ locations as of 2025). Download Tesla app, check "Open to Non-Tesla" filter for available sites. Non-Tesla pays £0.67/kWh (vs £0.42-£0.55 for Tesla) or £0.54/kWh with £10.99/month membership. Only CCS vehicles supported (not Nissan Leaf CHAdeMO).

Q9: Are Gridserve Electric Forecourts worth the premium price? A: For reliability-focused users, yes. Gridserve charges £0.79/kWh (vs £0.59-£0.69 elsewhere) but delivers 99% uptime, guaranteed charger availability (20-30 units per site), premium facilities (covered parking, Costa, toilets), and no queuing. Worth the £5-£10 premium per charge for stress-free experience on important journeys.

Q10: What happens if a charger breaks while I'm charging? A: Modern chargers detect faults and stop charging. You're only charged for kWh delivered before failure. Report faults via network app or call helpline (number on charger). Most networks refund failed charging sessions. Use Zap-Map to report broken chargers (helps community) and find nearest alternative. Always plan backup charging options on long journeys.

Conclusion: Optimizing Your UK Public Charging Strategy

The UK public charging landscape in 2025 rewards strategic network selection—Tesla owners enjoy cheapest rapid charging (£0.42-£0.55/kWh), Ionity manufacturer subscribers access ultra-rapid for £0.31-£0.36/kWh, and bp pulse subscription users save £200-£500 annually vs pay-as-you-go rivals. InstaVolt's industry-leading 98.5% reliability and contactless simplicity justify its £0.85/kWh premium for occasional users prioritizing convenience over absolute cheapest rates.

For most UK EV drivers, an optimal strategy combines one primary network (bp pulse subscription or Tesla Supercharger for owners) with InstaVolt as reliable backup, accessing both through Electroverse or Bonnet aggregator for simplified billing. Avoid scattering memberships across 5+ networks—consolidate to 1-2 paid subscriptions maximum, supplement with reliable pay-as-you-go options.

As the UK market matures toward 80,000+ public chargers by 2026, network reliability, pricing transparency, and integrated payment experiences will increasingly differentiate winners from losers. Current leaders—Tesla, InstaVolt, Gridserve—demonstrate that UK EV drivers value reliability and simplicity as much as cheapest rates, suggesting a future where premium networks justify modest cost premiums through superior user experience.