What charging success rates and uptime reveal about reliability
Charging success rate (CSR) measures how often charging attempts succeed. It focuses primarily on the start of a charging session, where failures are most likely to occur due to technical or usability issues. This metric reflects not only the quality of charging equipment but also the overall user experience.
On the other hand, charger uptime evaluates how often charging stations are operational and ready for use. Kempower reports an impressive average uptime of over 99%, indicating that its chargers are rarely unavailable. Together, these metrics offer a comprehensive view of EV charging reliability.
Breaking down charging success rates
Kempower’s analysis segments success rates into two categories to pinpoint the root causes of charging failures:
- Technical success rate (TSR): This measures failures caused by hardware or software problems, such as plug-locking issues, charger malfunctions, or vehicle communication errors. Kempower’s network achieves an average TSR of 94,3%, with the best operators reaching 97,2%.
- Usability success rate (USR): This focuses on failures stemming from user behaviour or interface design, such as forgetting to authenticate or connect the plug. Kempower’s top-performing operators reach a USR of 91,2%, but the metric highlights significant room for improvement.
The overall success rate (OSR) combines both metrics, reflecting the total percentage of successful charging attempts. Kempower’s average OSR of 84,6% shows that while technical reliability is strong, user-related issues remain a challenge.
Common challenges and how to solve them
Kempower’s data reveals that usability failures are four times more common than technical failures. The most frequent issues include:
- Authentication problems (75,7%): Many users struggle with overly complex charging apps, leading to failures during the payment or authorisation process.
- Forgotten plug connections (13,8%): Drivers occasionally overlook physically connecting their vehicle to the charger.
- Abrupt session stops (9,5%): Sudden actions by users, such as disconnecting too early, result in incomplete charges.
Technical issues, while less frequent, also pose challenges. These include:
- Plug-locking failures (44,1% of technical issues): Often caused by worn-out plugs or misalignment between the EV and charger.
- EV communication errors (47,1% of technical issues): Software bugs in the vehicle are a common culprit.
- Charger malfunctions (5%): Problems with charging station hardware or firmware.
Data-driven improvements and progress
Kempower uses its extensive database of 13.0 million successful charging sessions to continuously enhance its systems. The company’s ChargEye management software monitors performance, identifies issues, and informs solutions. Some key improvements include:
- Addressing locking issues: Kempower has reduced plug-locking failures by 10% through design enhancements and user education.
- Enhancing communication: Collaborating with EV manufacturers has led to software fixes and vehicle recalls to resolve communication errors.
- Streamlining usability: Kempower’s audits help operators improve app interfaces and simplify user interactions, significantly boosting the USR.
Why these metrics matter for the EV ecosystem
High success rates and uptime are critical for public charging operators and EV manufacturers. Reliable infrastructure ensures customer satisfaction, builds trust in EV technology, and enhances brand reputation. Furthermore, tracking these metrics enables operators to make informed decisions, reduce maintenance costs, and optimise performance.
Kempower’s focus on usability is particularly significant, as user-related issues currently account for most failures. Simplifying authentication processes and improving user interfaces will be essential to achieving higher overall success rates.
Public charging reliability still improving
Despite the challenges, Kempower’s metrics show promising progress. Top operators achieve a TSR of 97,2% and a USR of 91,2%, with an overall success rate of 84,6%. The company’s chargers maintain an average uptime of over 99%, ensuring their availability for EV drivers.
As public charging networks expand, these metrics provide a roadmap for addressing shortcomings and enhancing reliability. Kempower’s commitment to data-driven solutions and collaboration with EV manufacturers positions it as a leader in the push towards a dependable, user-friendly EV charging ecosystem.
For the EV transition to succeed, infrastructure must not only exist but perform flawlessly—and Kempower’s insights offer a path forward.
Source: Kempower | Visual source: The EV Universe
