Zapmap Driver Satisfaction Survey reveals the best charging networks of 2025

There’s no substitute for experience. It’s a strangely vague yet unnervingly accurate observation that can be applied to a wide range of topics. For example, if you’re thinking about leasing an EV, the best way to find out what they are like to live with on a daily basis is to talk to an EV driver. Alternatively, you could get the opinions of thousands of EV drivers in one go. Which is largely the point of the annual Zapmap driver satisfaction ratings, the latest of which was recently published.

Now in its eighth year, Zapmap has announced the results of its 2025 driver satisfaction rankings for rapid and ultra-rapid public charging networks in the UK. Vital information to assist in the decision-making process for anyone thinking of leasing an EV.

There are now nearly 400,000 more EVs on UK roads compared to Dec 2024, and a lack of familiarity with public charging is a recognised source of nervousness for both new EV drivers and those considering making the switch. The Zapmap league tables organise rapid and ultra-rapid public charging networks into two categories, based on the size of the network. These rankings offer direct feedback from existing EV drivers, giving you a solid indication of which networks are not only more reliable, but which charging hubs provide the ease of use and accessibility that best suits your needs. It is also a useful tool for both industry and government to highlight areas requiring further development, both in terms of coverage and service levels.

Zapmap’s 2025 EV charging survey saw responses from 3,976 battery electric vehicle (BEV) drivers across the UK. Drivers were asked about the networks they use regularly, their overall experience of using these networks and their level of satisfaction across five key areas: reliability, ease of use, customer support, value for money, and how easy it is to pay.

How the awards work

Zapmap awards a ‘Best EV charging network’ accreditation to the top scorer in each category, with other top performers - those that achieve at least a 3.5-star overall rating - receiving an ‘EV driver recommended’ title. This year, the ‘Large’ sized network category covers networks with over 500 devices while the ‘Medium’ sized network category covers networks with between 150 and 500 devices.

Zapmap also awards an ‘Up-and-coming network’ accreditation to smaller, emerging networks that have had positive feedback from EV drivers but don’t operate enough chargers to make it onto the main list.

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, referred to the latest results as an indicator that overall satisfaction with the public charging infrastructure has improved – from 64% last year to 69% this year – with reliability being the key consideration for drivers. Charging costs continue to be a concern for many – a majority of providers lost points in this area – but that is offset by the more than 60% of respondents who expect the public charging network to continue improving in all areas.

So, which networks made the most of 2025 according to the survey results?

Best Large EV charging network: 500+ devices

For the second year in a row, Tesla scored highest in the large rapid/ultra-rapid network category, taking the title of best EV charging network 2025. Already one of the most well-established charging networks in the country, the continued success of Tesla’s Superchargers has been bolstered by its decision to open its charge points to non-Tesla drivers.

Also in the large category, MFG EV Power ranked second, with Ionity and Osprey sharing third place. These three networks secure the EV driver recommended title for the 2025-26 rankings, alongside Instavolt and Gridserve, with all five scoring an overall rating of 3.5 stars or more.

Osprey also remains a popular choice amongst EV drivers, being a Zapmap recommended network for the past six years. Of the large networks, Osprey received the joint highest rating for customer service alongside Tesla and scored well for ease of use and reliability.

Best Medium EV charging network: 150-500 devices

The best EV charging network 2025 in the medium rapid / ultra-rapid network category was Smart Charge, the charging network of the Sainsbury’s supermarket chain. Launched in January 2024, Smart Charge was selected as Zapmap’s Up-and-coming network in last year’s rankings. EV drivers rated it particularly highly for reliability and ease of use, and no doubt convenience played a part too.

Be.EV ranks second in the medium category, close behind Smart Charge. Third in the medium category was Fastned, an established European player whose network of distinctive yellow solar canopies has expanded by 38% to cover 199 devices across 34 locations.

Up-and-coming network

This year Zapmap has awarded the accolade of ‘Up-and-coming network’ to Arnold Clark Charge.

Despite having sites that only opened to the public in the second half of 2025, the car dealership’s charging network already extends across 57 locations, with ambitious plans for the year ahead. The network has been quick to introduce an optional booking system for its chargers as well as offering assisted charging. With pricing on a par with Tesla, Arnold Clark Charge secured impressive ratings across all five metrics and the highest rating of all networks for customer support. Expect it to appear on the main list when next year’s results are revealed.

Main photo by Bram Van Oost on Unsplash