What is the real reliability of public charging stations in the USA? A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports among 1,230 EV drivers (period: March 2024 to February 2025) provides clear indications: Tesla and Rivian dominate with their charging networks in terms of reliability. While only 4% of respondents encountered problems with Tesla's Superchargers, the rate for Rivian's Adventure Network was similarly low at 5%.
The Results at a Glance
- Tesla Supercharger: 4% error rate
- Rivian Adventure Network: 5% error rate
- Shell Recharge: 48% error rate
- EVgo: 43% error rate
- Blink: 41% error rate
The most common complaints were defective or unresponsive screens, faulty hardware, and payment processing issues. In total, 76% of the disruptions involved broken displays or error messages, while 19% were due to payment errors where a transaction was recorded, but the charging process did not start.
Background to Success
Tesla has been a leader in the field of e-mobility for over a decade and has invested early in high-quality hardware and reliable software updates. The fact that the company is now opening its Supercharger network to other brands further increases its attractiveness – especially as more and more manufacturers are relying on the North American Charging Standard (NACS).
Rivian, on the other hand, is a newcomer to the market with its Adventure Network. Although the network currently comprises fewer than 100 locations and under 600 charging points, it impresses with a low error rate of only 5%. Additionally, Rivian is also beginning to open its stations to other makes – initial examples are locations in California.
Outlook
The survey results show that reliability and user-friendliness are crucial factors for trust in public charging networks. While Tesla continues to expand its pioneering role through ongoing investments and collaborations with other manufacturers, Rivian demonstrates how a high service standard can be achieved even with a smaller network. It remains exciting to see how other providers will adapt to meet the increasing expectations of EV drivers.
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