Patchy Mobile Coverage Could Hamper Electric Car Charging

Spotty Cell Phone Service May Impact Electric Vehicle Charging

April 8, 2024 TruthUSA

The RAC Foundation reported that about two-thirds of the most common type of public chargers are located in areas where at least one network provider lacks sufficient coverage.

A recent report highlighted the challenges faced by electric vehicle (EV) drivers trying to charge their cars at the majority of the UK’s public charging points. Unreliable mobile network coverage is cited as the main issue, with 66.4 percent of public chargers outside London situated in locations where at least one mobile network provider lacks adequate 4G coverage necessary to enable the flow of electricity.

The study by the RAC Foundation, published on Monday, emphasized that the “EV revolution” is hindered by this coverage issue, as a large portion of drivers may struggle to charge their vehicles effectively. Only 33.4 percent of locations surveyed had full coverage from all major mobile network providers – EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone, ensuring convenience for all drivers regardless of their network provider.

The focus of the report was on Type-2 chargers, the most common type with speeds up to eight kilowatts, which usually require drivers to use mobile phone apps to access them. The report revealed that most chargers depend on a reliable mobile signal connection to operate, unlike rapid chargers that offer contactless payment options.

According to RAF Foundation Director Steve Gooding, the ease of refueling at traditional petrol stations does not yet apply to public EV charge points. He expressed concern that signal connectivity issues could lead drivers to blame the charger for faults, undermining confidence in public charging options for electric vehicles.

Network Coverage Challenges

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The report specifically addressed the issue of 4G coverage, noting that while some areas may still have 3G coverage, Vodafone has already retired its 3G network. Additionally, Three and EE are expected to shut down their 3G networks this year, with O2 following suit in 2025. The transition to 4G and 5G networks by 2033 further highlights the importance of reliable network coverage for EV charging.

Gooding stressed the need for designing systems that consider real-world network coverage, which he described as patchy and sometimes non-existent. He cautioned that the new reporting system for rapid chargers might overlook poor connectivity issues.

He suggested potential solutions to address coverage gaps, including improving signal quality through initiatives like the Single Rural Network program and exploring satellite internet options. In cases where connectivity issues persist, a default setting for providing a limited free charge could prevent potential breakdowns due to insufficient battery levels.

In response to the report, a government spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to improve 4G coverage, aiming for 95 percent coverage across the UK by the end of next year.

Official statistics from the Department for Transport indicate that there are currently 53,677 public EV charging points in the UK, with Type-2 chargers comprising 31,910 of these.

Decline in EV Market Share

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recently called for incentives to boost EV purchases following a drop in the market share of electric vehicles. In March, the share of EVs in new registrations decreased to 15.2 percent, down from February’s figures.

The SMMT urged the government to introduce measures like reducing VAT on new EV purchases and aligning VAT rates for public charging with home charging rates to stimulate consumer interest.

A Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicle charges at an Ionity GmbH electric car charging station at Skelton Lake motorway service area in Leeds, England, on April 26, 2022. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Government support is seen as essential by the SMMT to ensure a smooth transition to EVs and maintain momentum in the electric vehicle market. Initiatives like the Local Electric Vehicle (LEVI) fund aim to encourage more consumers to switch to electric vehicles.

PA Media contributed to this report.

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