New research from EV charging platform, Monta, highlights the significant challenges faced by the UK’s public charging network in meeting the government’s Public Charge Point Regulations. A national survey of more than 200 senior UK charge point operator (CPO) decision-makers found that only 4% report average charger uptime of 99.5% or above—the level most closely aligned with the new 99% regulatory requirement.
The Uptime and Compliance Gap
While the majority of operators (74%) are performing well, consistently achieving uptime above 95%, the research makes clear that bridging the final percentage points to reach the 99% benchmark remains the most difficult challenge. For many CPOs, this performance gap raises concerns about the risk of civil penalties of up to £10,000 per charge point, with nearly half (47%) citing the penalty regime as a major worry.
According to Evans, Head of Market, UK & Ireland at Monta, these findings underline the scale of operational, technical, and financial pressures CPOs face. “The UK government is right to set ambitious standards for charge point reliability,” Evans said. EV drivers need to know that charging will be available and dependable wherever they travel, and uptime is the cornerstone of that trust.“
Visibility Gaps Create a “Blind Spot”
The research, detailed in a report titled ‘The pain points and growth opportunities impacting Charge Point Operators in 2025,’ also reveals significant visibility gaps across the network. Fewer than one in five CPOs (17%) said they could access key diagnostics such as uptime and charge success rate on demand. In contrast, 40% receive this data only periodically, 33% occasionally, and 10% rarely or never have access.
Evans added that without consistent performance insights, proactive maintenance becomes extremely difficult, which creates a “blind spot” in the delivery of reliable charging services. “Bridging the final percentage points of uptime is not straightforward,” he said. “Operators are investing heavily, but without consistent diagnostic data and a phased approach, the risk of punitive fines could slow rather than encourage progress.“
Balancing Ambition with Pragmatism
While the research highlights some concerning gaps, it also acknowledges the progress being made, as the majority of operators are already achieving high uptime. However, industry leaders warn that without a carefully managed transition, the combination of visibility gaps, technical hurdles, and financial penalties could stall investment at a crucial stage of the UK’s EV rollout.
“Achieving near-perfect uptime across diverse networks is an immense technical challenge, and significant fines of up to £10,000 per charge point risks discouraging investment when momentum is needed most,” Evans concluded. He argues that a phased approach that combines clear targets with the necessary tools, data, and collaboration will ensure ambition is balanced with pragmatism, ultimately delivering reliability, consumer trust, and progress toward climate goals.
