Tesla & Rivian Charging Networks Ranked Best | Consumer Reports

EV Charging Network Reliability: A New Consumer Reports Survey

Recent findings from Consumer Reports indicate that Tesla and Rivian currently operate the most dependable EV charging networks within the United States.

Survey Methodology and Key Findings

A comprehensive survey was conducted by the publication, gathering feedback from 1,230 electric vehicle owners regarding their charging experiences. The data collection period spanned from March 2023 to February 2024.

Only 4% of respondents reported encountering issues while utilizing Tesla’s Supercharger network. Similarly, a minimal 5% experienced problems with Rivian’s Adventure Network chargers.

Networks with Higher Reported Issues

In contrast, Shell’s Recharge network received the highest number of negative reports, with 48% of users indicating a problem during their charging session.

EVgo and Blink chargers also presented significant difficulties for owners, registering problem rates of 43% and 41%, respectively.

Other prominent networks didn't fare much better. Electrify America experienced issues 35% of the time, while ChargePoint chargers had a 24% problem rate.

Notably, Rivian and Tesla were the sole networks with problem rates remaining in the single digits.

Growing EV Adoption and Charging Infrastructure

According to Cox Automotive, electric vehicles accounted for over 8% of all vehicle sales in the U.S. last year. Despite a slight deceleration in sales growth, the overall volume of EV purchases continues to increase.

As more drivers transition to electric vehicles, the survey highlights a critical gap: many existing charging networks are struggling to keep pace with the growing demand.

Requests for comment were directed to representatives from Shell, EVgo, Blink, Electrify America, and ChargePoint, but immediate responses were not received.

Common Charging Issues Reported

The most frequently cited problems across all networks centered around payment processing and hardware malfunctions, particularly concerning the charging station screens.

“By calling out broken screens, payment issues, and slow charging power, community members are crowdsourcing data that will hold charging networks accountable and improve drivers’ experience with public charging,” stated Drew Toher, Consumer Reports’ campaign manager.

Tesla's Established Network and Rivian's Promising Start

Tesla’s Supercharger network has benefited from over a decade of development, allowing the company to resolve many of the issues that continue to affect newer networks.

This is positive news for owners of non-Tesla EVs, as the Supercharger network is now accessible to a wide range of electric vehicles.

The reliability of Rivian’s Adventure Network, matching Tesla’s performance based on survey responses, is somewhat unexpected.

With its initial 100 stations, Rivian has established a strong foundation. However, maintaining this level of quality will be crucial as the company expands to build the remaining 500 stations planned for North America.