When it comes to EV charging networks, Tesla continues to lead the pack — despite some setbacks in other areas. According to a recent study by Consumer Reports (CR), Tesla remains No. 1 in both network size and user experience at public charging stations.
### Tesla’s Charging Network Dominance
Tesla boasts approximately 33,660 charging ports spread across just over 2,800 Supercharger locations in the United States, according to Motley Fool. This extensive network translates into a relatively smooth experience for Tesla drivers: only 4% of respondents in Consumer Reports’ survey reported any problems using the Tesla Supercharger Network.
### EV Charging Networks: Who’s Struggling?
By contrast, some other charging networks fare much worse. The Shell Recharge Network scored the lowest, with 48% of drivers reporting issues. Coincidentally, the company behind this network was formerly known as Shell Oil.
Other networks also faced significant complaints: 43% of EVgo users and 41% of Blink network users reported problems while charging their vehicles.
### Overall Findings from Consumer Reports
It’s worth noting that nearly 80% of all charging events in the study were problem-free. When issues did arise, they usually fell into three main categories:
– **Charging Speed Problems (15%)**
– **Payment Issues (23%)**
– **Hardware Malfunctions (36%)**
Digging deeper, payment problems were particularly frustrating, with 25% of those respondents unable to initiate charging at all and having to find another station. Meanwhile, 19% reported that payments went through but the charger still failed to operate.
Hardware issues included complaints that charging cords were too short (5%) or damaged plugs and cables (19%) that prevented successful connections.
### The Biggest Bugbear: Touchscreen Troubles
The most frequent complaint revolved around chargers’ touchscreens. A whopping 76% of drivers encountered problems ranging from broken displays to persistent error messages that couldn’t be resolved on-site.
### Other Notable Issues
Consumer Reports also grouped less frequent, but still significant, problems under a miscellaneous category, which accounted for 25% of reported issues. Examples include missing charging cables — as seen in a recent wave of charger vandalism in Canada. Fortunately, EV charging cables aren’t typically a target for theft, so this is unlikely to be a long-term problem.
### Tips for a Better EV Charging Experience
Consumer Reports offers several recommendations to help drivers maximize their charging sessions:
– **Use Charging and Payment Apps**
Many apps not only help you locate chargers but also provide real-time information on port availability. Some payment apps can even activate chargers remotely, bypassing broken touchscreens—a common complaint in the CR survey.
– **Precondition Your Battery**
Preconditioning ensures your battery is at the ideal temperature for fast and efficient charging. Some EVs, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E (expected to feature California Special treatment for 2026), automatically start this process once you enter a charging station’s address into the navigation system.
– **Avoid Charging to 100% Every Time**
Experts, including those at Consumer Reports, advise limiting charging to around 80% capacity most of the time. Charging slows dramatically after this point, so topping up fully can take much longer than reaching 80%.
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Overall, while the EV charging landscape still has challenges to overcome, Tesla remains the strongest performer in the U.S. market. With smart planning and the right tools, drivers can navigate public charging networks more smoothly and efficiently.
https://www.jalopnik.com/2005174/best-worst-ev-charging-networks-america-consumer-reports/