Zapmap survey reveals UK EV drivers’ top-rated charging networks

Zapmap, the UK’s leading charge point mapping service, has today announced its annual satisfaction rankings for rapid and ultra-rapid public charging networks in the UK. Tesla scored highest in the ‘Large’ sized network category, whilst Fastned was highest ranked in the ‘Medium’ sized network category.

Now in its seventh year, the keenly-watched league table is generated from EV driver responses to Zapmap’s annual EV charging survey, conducted during October 2024. The survey, which is the most established and comprehensive survey of EV drivers in the UK, saw responses from more than 3,700 battery electric vehicle (BEV) drivers.

This year, given the growing range of networks in the UK, Zapmap has grouped rapid and ultra-rapid public charging networks into two categories, based on the size of the network. Networks have been grouped into either the ‘Medium’ sized network category (networks with between 100 and 300 charge points), or the ‘Large’ sized network category (networks with over 300 charge points).

Zapmap awards a ‘Best EV Charging Network’ accreditation to the top scorer in their category, with other top performers, who achieve at least a 3.5 star overall rating receiving an ‘EV Driver Recommended’ title. Zapmap also awards an ‘Up and Coming Network’ accreditation for smaller, emerging networks.

As part of the survey, respondents rated their overall satisfaction for the networks they use regularly, which is then used to rank each network out of a maximum of five stars. They also rated their level of satisfaction with the networks in five key areas: reliability, ease of use, customer support, value for money, and payment options.

In first place in the ‘Large rapid / ultra-rapid network’ category this year is Tesla. Previously excluded from the charging networks rankings table as it was a closed network exclusively for Tesla drivers, the well-established national network has been included this year as the operator has opened up many of its charge points for use by drivers of other, non-Tesla EVs. With over 860 Tesla chargers in more than 80 charging hubs now opened up to the wider EV driving community, the network scored well on reliability, cost, and ease of use. Drivers most appreciated the Tesla network’s value for money, which offers significantly lower prices than many rapid / ultra-rapid networks.. Tesla is Zapmap’s ‘Best EV charging network 2025’ in the ‘Large rapid / ultra-rapid’ network category.

Also in the large category, in second and third place respectively this year are MFG EV Power and Osprey Charging, two networks also focusing on rolling out high-speed charging hubs at a national level. The two networks earn the ‘EV Driver Recommended’ title for the 2024-25 rankings (awarded to networks with higher than 3.5 star overall ratings), alongside Be.EV who ranked fourth.

MFG EV Power has more than 780 chargers across 195 locations, all installed on fuel forecourts, with its distinctive blue and green branding, providing a consistent and reliable service for drivers. EV drivers praised MFG’s reliability and convenient payment options.

Osprey remains a popular choice amongst EV drivers, having been a consistent high performer and a Zapmap recommended network for the past 5 years. Its latest hubs utilise distinctive Kempower devices and offer excellent accessibility, which is reflected in a high satisfaction score for the ease of use of its chargers. In 2024 Osprey rolled out more rapid / ultra-rapid chargers than any other network, now boasting over 1,200 devices over 380 locations.

Be.EV is a new entrant to the rankings this year with 579 devices across 179 locations, with a focus on rolling out its  ‘big green hubs’, which offer a great all-round charging experience, across the UK. EV drivers rated them particularly highly for customer support and value for money.

The top-ranked network in the ‘Medium rapid / ultra-rapid network’ category this year is Fastned. Fastned topped the leaderboard in last year’s rankings too, with its fantastic hub locations under distinctive yellow canopies. Fastned is an established European player with a large continental footprint, but is a significantly smaller network in the UK than those in the large category – the network has now grown to 26 locations across the UK with over 150 devices. The network scored very highly for reliability, ease of use and the payment options offered. Fastned is Zapmap’s ‘Best EV charging network 2025’ in the ‘Medium rapid / ultra-rapid’ network category.

Hot on Fastned’s heels, in second-place in the medium category, is Ionity. Ionity is another pan-European player, with growing coverage across the UK and Ireland. Drivers particularly appreciated the network’s reliability. Ionity currently has 270 devices across 37 locations around the UK, and achieve the ‘EV Driver Recommended’ title in this year’s rankings.

Zapmap has also awarded an ‘Up-and-coming network’ winner, with this category covering those networks that do not meet the minimum inclusion criteria, but have made a mark on the charging landscape and have had positive feedback from EV drivers. 

The ‘Up-and-coming network’ this year is Sainsbury’s Smart Charge. Smart Charge was only launched in January 2024 but has made an impressive start to the roll out of its 150kW hubs at Sainsbury’s sites across the UK . It has installed hubs at 62 stores to date, which are proving popular with EV drivers, especially as the network has linked charging with Nectar rewards, and we’re sure we’ll be seeing them in the main table next year.

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said:
“This year has seen another huge increase in charging provision across the country, particularly for the ultra-rapid (150kW+) chargers, and charging hubs; and it is fantastic to be able to highlight and celebrate the UK’s best EV charging networks, as chosen by EV drivers.

A record 17 networks are on the rankings table, and it is clear that reliability in the broadest sense remains key with EV drivers showing appreciation for networks rolling out consistent, reliable charging hubs which provide convenience and charging confidence. Whilst excellent payment options, customer support and ease of use are all highly valued, this year value for money, is an increasingly important consideration.

Many congratulations to all the networks, particularly Tesla and Fastned topping the rankings in their respective categories, and we look forward to the continued growth of a reliable, cost effective charging network to support the ever-growing number of EV drivers.”