UK Charge Point Operators Struggle to Meet Strict Uptime Rules as Fines Loom
UK charge point operators are facing significant challenges in meeting tough new Government requirements on reliability and customer support, with potential fines of up to £10,000 per unit, according to new research.
The findings, published by EV charging platform Monta, are based on a survey of more than 200 senior decision-makers across the sector.
Only 4% of operators reported uptime levels of 99.5% or higher, the closest to the Government’s new benchmark of 99%. While the majority (74%) already deliver uptime above 95%, bridging the final gap is proving a major hurdle.
Almost half of respondents (47%) highlighted the risk of civil penalties as a serious concern. The report – The pain points and growth opportunities impacting Charge Point Operators in 2025 – also pointed to a lack of visibility across networks. Just 17% of operators said they have access to real-time data on metrics such as uptime, charge success rates and customer satisfaction. Most rely on periodic updates, limiting their ability to carry out proactive maintenance.
The new rules, introduced under the Public Charge Point Regulations on 24 November 2024, were first set out by the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2023.
“Better diagnostics essential”
Jonathan Evans, Monta’s Head of Market for the UK and Ireland, said the research highlights the scale of the operational, technical and financial pressures now facing operators.
“The Government is right to set ambitious standards, but bridging the final percentage points is not straightforward,” he said.
“Without improved diagnostics and a phased approach, the risk of fines could slow, rather than accelerate, progress.”
When asked which elements of the new framework caused the greatest concern, operators pointed to:
The 99% uptime requirement (56%)
The need for 24/7 customer support (47%)
The risk of £10,000 fines (47%)
Limited Government support (44%)
Compliance with open data standards (42%)
Strong progress, but risks remain
Despite the challenges, Monta stressed that the sector has already made meaningful progress.
“The majority of operators are already delivering uptime above 95%,” Evans said. “That provides a strong foundation, but achieving near-perfect reliability is a huge technical task. A fair and practical transition period is essential if the UK is to maintain momentum and avoid deterring investment at this critical stage of the EV rollout.”
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