What is ‘Charging Station Anxiety’ and Why Might We Hear More About It?
Imagine you're on a journey with limited petrol in your car; you still have a long way to go, but petrol stations are scarce and there is no guarantee you're going to find one before you run out of fuel, leaving you stranded. That's certainly anxiety-inducing - and it's what many owners of electric vehicles (EV) face every day.
Charging station anxiety refers to the fear of not being able to find a suitable charging point when needed. This can stem from concerns about availability, compatibility, or reliability, and it is fast becoming one of the main challenges facing EV drivers today.
Why is Charging Station Anxiety Becoming More Common?
Some studies suggest that six out of 10 European motorists would be willing to drive further just to improve their charging experience. While concerns about range and charging times are decreasing, the fear of not finding a reliable charging point remains a major source of stress for EV drivers.
There are several reasons why charging station anxiety is becoming more prevalent:
1. Availability of Charging Points
Despite the rapid rollout of public charging stations, demand often outstrips supply, particularly in urban areas where EV adoption is high. At peak times, finding an available charger can be difficult, leading to long queues and increased frustration among drivers.
2. Compatibility and Interoperability Issues
Unlike petrol stations, where any driver can fill up regardless of their vehicle type, EV charging networks can be fragmented. Different networks require different payment methods, memberships, or apps, making the charging process more complicated than simply refuelling a petrol or diesel car.
3. Reliability of Public Chargers
Public chargers are not always in perfect working order. Broken or out-of-service charge points can be a serious inconvenience, particularly if an EV driver has planned their journey around that specific location only to find out they cannot charge their vehicle at all. The uncertainty surrounding whether a charging station will be functional and available only adds to the anxiety.
4. Cost Differences
Public charging can be much more expensive than home charging. According to the latest Zapmap Index Survey, an EV driver who primarily charges at home can save around £1,200 per year compared to someone relying on public chargers. Many public chargers cost five to ten times more than the overnight tariffs available for home charging, making them a costly option for regular use.
The Impact on EV Adoption
Charging station anxiety has the potential to slow down the transition to electric vehicles. For many people considering an EV, the fear of not being able to charge conveniently is a barrier - and understandably so. If prospective buyers perceive EV ownership as too complicated or stressful due to inconsistent charging infrastructure, they may hesitate to make the switch from petrol or diesel, where a petrol station is almost certainly within driving distance.
Manufacturers and infrastructure providers are aware of this issue and are working on solutions to make charging easier. Efforts to improve interoperability between different networks, expand charging locations, and introduce faster charging technology are all helping to reduce stress for EV drivers.
However, a truly reliable and cost-effective solution for EV owners lies in reducing or even eliminating the reliance of charging stations. This can be done with a home charging point - but that presents a major challenge for millions of UK residents without off-street parking.
How Charge Gully Can Help
For those with driveways or garages, home charging eliminates many of the frustrations associated with public charging. It offers convenience, lower costs, and the reassurance that a fully charged car will be ready each morning. However, an estimated 35% of UK households lack off-street parking, meaning millions of potential EV owners are excluded from this advantage.
This is where Charge Gully comes in. We’ve developed an innovative solution that allows residents without driveways to charge their EVs at home.
Our patented cable channel lets EV owners safely run a charging cable from their home to their vehicle without creating a trip hazard on the pavement. The channel sits flush with the ground and automatically self-closes when not in use, providing a secure and tamper-proof charging option for overnight use.
This allows drivers to take advantage of cheaper overnight tariffs, rather than relying on costly public charging networks. And most of all, it gets rid of charging station anxiety, as drivers no longer need to worry about finding an available or compatible public charger while out and about!
By giving on-street parkers a safe, legal, and convenient way to charge at home, Charge Gully is the ideal way to make charging station anxiety a thing of the past.
