10 EV charging myths debunked – Part 1
August 17, 2026
EV charging infrastructure has developed rapidly in recent years. Unfortunately, many of the assumptions surrounding it are still stuck in the past.
In the first of this two-part Zapgo Insights series, we examine five of the most common myths about the UK’s public charging network, from charger availability to charging times, and reveal the reality facing today’s drivers.
As is common with most technological revolutions, EVs have faced an extraordinary level of misunderstanding and misinformation.
Often, this is because of experiences from the early days of EV ownership, when public charging was far less common and the technology far less familiar. Today, however, the network drivers use each day is very different from the one that existed only a few years ago. Increased uptake and increased investment in public charging have transformed the EV experience and it’s time perceptions of EVs caught up. Here are the first five EV charging myths that deserve a closer look:
Myth one: There aren’t enough public chargers to make driving an EV practical
The UK passed 120,000 public EV chargers in May 2026, with an average of 32 chargers added to the network every day during the previous year. This does not mean every community has sufficient charging provision, far from it, and national figures can hide substantial differences between regions, charger speeds and individual locations.
Drivers do not benefit from a charger simply because it exists somewhere on a national database. They need chargers that are available, reliable and well-positioned for where they live, work and travel.
The myth is therefore wrong, but it does point towards a genuine issue. The UK does not simply need more chargers; it needs the right mixture of rapid and ultra-rapid charging, distributed more evenly across the country.
That is why Zapgo focuses on bringing rapid and ultra-rapid charging to local destinations and underserved locations, like a farm shop in Somerset, rather than only building where charging provision is already strong.
Myth two: A good charging network is all about how many chargers it has
Charger numbers are an important measure of progress, but they are not the only measure that matters. Even the right number of chargers in the right locations does not, in itself, represent a ‘great’ charging network – the driver experience remains crucial.
A genuinely great charging network puts the driver experience first: not only the right number of chargers in the right locations but also ensuring that chargers are always operational, easy to find, well-lit, and easy to use.
The Public Charge Point Regulations now require rapid charging networks to achieve average annual reliability of 99%. They also set requirements covering open availability data, clear pricing, contactless payment and free 24-hour telephone support. These requirements reflect an important principle: infrastructure should be judged by whether it works for drivers, not simply by how many pins it adds to a map.
We believe the best charging network is one that drivers can depend on. Quantity matters, but quality is the only way to build confidence.
Myth three: The electricity grid wouldn’t be able to cope if everyone drove an EV
This is one of the most persistent arguments made against electric vehicles. The National Grid estimates that even if every driver switched to an EV overnight, electricity demand would increase by around 10%. This would still leave national demand below the peak recorded in 2002 and, in reality, the transition will take place gradually rather than overnight.
Smart charging helps to spread electricity use across the day. Drivers charging when overall demand is lower or in locations where renewable electricity is more readily available, can also reduce pressure on the grid during peak periods.
This isn’t to say that there are no grid infrastructure challenges which need to be overcome to deliver a charging network that works for everyone. Charge point operators frequently encounter local constraints and even the most promising site may require a new connection, network reinforcement or significant upgrades before rapid charging can be installed. These barriers can be particularly difficult in rural and underserved areas.
The grid can support electric transport, but doing so will require intelligent investment, better coordination with Distribution Network Operators and long-term planning. The right way forward involves improving the grid infrastructure underlying our daily lives and, in particular, our chargers, rather than assuming that this issue can never be resolved.
Myth four: Charging an EV means losing hours of your day
Charging an EV is often contrasted directly with spending five minutes filling a petrol tank. It is understandable why people make this comparison but it overlooks the way most drivers want charging to work. Rather than watching a battery percentage rise while they stand beside a charger, drivers want to plug in, continue with their day, and return to a vehicle that is ready for their next journey.
At a well-located rapid or ultra-rapid charging site, a driver can add meaningful range while having a coffee, buying groceries, eating a meal or visiting a local attraction. The charging session takes place in the background rather than becoming the sole purpose of the stop. This is where charger placement is key, and it is why we focus on destination charging here at Zapgo. Through building chargers in locations where drivers already want to spend their time, we’re empowering drivers to use their charging time productively rather than viewing it as a wasted period within their day.
EV charging is certainly different from petrol refuelling. But being different does not automatically mean it must be less convenient for drivers.
Myth five: You only find ultra-rapid charging at motorway service stations
Motorway service stations are an important part of the charging network, particularly for drivers making long-distance journeys. But it’s a frequently cited myth that these are the only locations where ultra-rapid charging is viable and/or useful.
In reality, rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are increasingly being installed at retail parks, supermarkets, pubs, sports clubs, farm shops and other local destinations. These locations can support residents, visitors and passing motorists while giving drivers somewhere far more useful and enjoyable to spend their charging time than at a motorway service station.
Ultra-rapid charging is certainly not limited to motorways or major urban centres. Instead, it plays an equally valuable role in local communities, rural areas and destinations that have previously been overlooked.
Building confidence through better information
EV myths often survive because they spiral from a small element of truth.
Some communities do need more chargers. Some of those earlier sites are no longer sufficiently reliable or accessible. Some grid connections take too long to set up. And some charging stops are still less convenient than they should be.
But these are practical infrastructure challenges that are being addressed. They are not evidence that electric driving doesn’t work.
In Part Two, we will examine five further myths covering complicated charging processes, apps and memberships, hidden fees, accessibility and the perceived cost of installing chargers for landlords.
