A new analysis from ChargerHelp reveals that the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) charging network faces persistent reliability issues despite high reported uptime. The 2025 report, which draws on more than 100,000 charging sessions across 2,400 stations, finds that nearly one-third of charging attempts fail, indicating that traditional uptime metrics may overstate real-world performance.
ChargerHelp advocates for the first-time charge success rate (FTCSR) as a more accurate measure of infrastructure effectiveness, capturing whether drivers can successfully initiate a charge on their first attempt. The report shows that while new chargers average around 85% FTCSR, this figure falls below 70% within three years, highlighting risks associated with aging equipment.
Short-term fixes, such as hardware replacements, offer only temporary improvements. The study emphasizes the need for preventive maintenance, standardized firmware updates, and infrastructure planning focused on long-term resiliency. High-performing sites were identified as those featuring high-power chargers, multiple ports, extended cables, streamlined payment systems, and amenities like covered parking.
ChargerHelp has provided operations and maintenance services for thousands of chargers across 47 states, addressing over 30,000 failures through its EMPWR platform. The report underlines the importance of adopting FTCSR and proactive strategies to enhance reliability, support mass EV adoption, and improve the overall user experience for drivers.