EV charging platform Monta has released new research highlighting the challenges faced by the UK’s public charging network in meeting the government’s Public Charge Point Regulations.
In a national survey of more than 200 senior UK charge point operator (CPO) decision-makers, just 4% reported average charger uptime of 99.5% or above; the level most closely aligned with the 99% requirement.
The majority (74%) achieve uptime above 95%, indicating strong progress, but also underlining the challenge of bridging the final percentage points needed to consistently reach the regulatory benchmark.
For many operators, this performance gap raises concerns about the risk of civil penalties of up to £10,000 per charge point, with nearly half (47%) of respondents citing the penalty regime as a major worry.
The research contained 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, charge success rate and user satisfaction on demand. Instead, 40% receive this data only periodically, 33% occasionally, and one in ten (10%) rarely or never have access.
Without regular performance insights, proactive maintenance and compliance monitoring become extremely difficult, creating a blind spot in the delivery of reliable charging services, it reported.
When asked which elements of the new regulations they found most challenging, more than half (56%) identified the 99% uptime requirement as their single greatest concern, followed by the obligation to provide round-the-clock customer support (47%), the £10,000 penalty risk (47%), lack of government support and funding (44%) and compliance with open data and OCPI standards (42%).
The research makes clear that while the majority of operators are performing well, consistently achieving above 95% uptime, the final stretch to meet the 99% benchmark remains the most difficult.
Evans, Head of Market, UK & Ireland at Monta, said:
“The findings underline the scale of operational, technical and financial pressures facing CPOs as the sector works to adapt to higher regulatory expectations. The UK government is right to set ambitious standards for charge point reliability. EV drivers need to know that charging will be available and dependable wherever they travel, and uptime is the cornerstone of that trust. Regulations that focus on the quality of service are essential if we are to accelerate EV adoption and build public confidence.”
“Bridging the final percentage points of uptime is not straightforward. Operators are investing heavily, but without consistent diagnostic data and a phased approach, the risk of punitive fines could slow rather than encourage progress. Visibility remains a critical weakness across the network, with only a minority of operators able to monitor performance in real time.
“While the research highlights some concerning gaps, it is also important to recognise the progress being made. The majority of operators are achieving uptime above 95%, providing a strong foundation for improvement and showing the industry is moving in the right direction. The government is right to set ambitious standards, but these must be matched with a fair and practical transition. 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.
“Without smarter diagnostics, better monitoring infrastructure and regulatory enablement, EV infrastructure will continue to underperform, risking not just compliance failure, but diminished consumer trust and delayed climate progress. Ultimately, a phased approach that combines clear targets with the necessary tools, data and collaboration will ensure ambition is balanced with pragmatism, delivering reliability, consumer trust and progress towards climate goals.”
Image of report courtesy of Monta
