A recent survey by Consumer Reports has shed light on the most reliable electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in the US, and the results may come as a surprise to many. According to the survey, Tesla and Rivian have emerged as the top performers, with owners reporting minimal issues with their charging networks.

The survey, which polled 1,230 EV owners between March 2023 and February 2024, found that only 4% of respondents experienced problems with Tesla's Supercharger network, while 5% reported issues with Rivian's Adventure Network chargers. This is in stark contrast to other popular charging networks, which struggled to provide a seamless experience for their users.

On the other end of the spectrum, Shell's Recharge network was found to be the most problematic, with owners reporting issues a staggering 48% of the time. EVgo and Blink chargers were not far behind, with owners experiencing problems 43% and 41% of the time, respectively. Other well-known networks, such as Electrify America and ChargePoint, also struggled to provide a reliable experience, with owners logging problems 35% and 24% of the time, respectively.

The survey's findings are particularly noteworthy given the growing popularity of electric vehicles in the US. According to Cox Automotive, EVs made up more than 8% of vehicle sales in the US last year, and while sales growth has cooled, overall volume is still growing. As the adoption of EVs continues to increase, the importance of reliable charging networks cannot be overstated.

So, what sets Tesla and Rivian apart from their competitors? For Tesla, its decade-long experience in building out its Supercharger network has likely played a significant role in ironing out the kinks. The company's decision to open up its network to other EV manufacturers has also been a boon for non-Tesla owners. Rivian, on the other hand, has seemingly gotten off to a strong start with its first 100 stations, but it remains to be seen whether it can maintain its high level of quality as it expands its network to 600 stations across North America.

The most common issues reported by owners across all networks were related to making payments and the charging station hardware itself, particularly with the screens. According to Consumer Reports' campaign manager Drew Toher, "By calling out broken screens, payment issues, and slow charging power, community members are crowdsourcing data that will hold charging networks accountable and improve drivers' experience with public charging."

The survey's findings serve as a wake-up call for charging network providers to step up their game and provide a more reliable experience for EV owners. As the EV market continues to grow, the importance of seamless charging experiences will only become more critical. For now, Tesla and Rivian are leading the charge, but it's up to the rest of the industry to follow suit.