Zapmap, the UK’s leading charge point mapping and data service, has announced the results of its annual awards for public charging networks in the UK. For the third year in a row, Tesla scored highest in the Large Rapid / Ultra-rapid network category, while Arnold Clark Charge, the charging network of the independently owned car retailer, tops the table for Medium Rapid / Ultra-rapid networks. Connected Kerb took the top spot in the table for Destination and On-street networks for the second year in a row.
Now in its ninth year, the keenly-watched league table is based on thousands of responses to Zapmap’s annual EV charging survey, the most established and comprehensive of its kind in the UK. This year’s survey, conducted during September and October 2026, saw completed submissions from 5,346 battery electric vehicle (BEV) drivers, a record number of respondents and a 34% increase on the previous year.
There are now more than half a million additional electric vehicles on the roads compared to Dec 2025, and a reliable, robust charging network is key to giving confidence to both new EV drivers and those considering making the switch. The Zapmap network awards provide a sound reference point for the networks delivering reliable, easy-to-use and the most cost-effective public charging. For charge point operators, planners and the wider industry, the awards are a key measure of progress and provide insight into what matters most to EV drivers right now.
The Zapmap league tables group Rapid and Ultra-rapid public charging networks into two categories, based on the size of the network. This year, the ‘large’ sized network category covers networks with over 800 EV chargers while the ‘medium’ sized network category covers networks with between 250 and 800 EV chargers. Networks included in the destination / on-street awards must have at least 2,000 predominantly Standard / Standard Plus EV chargers to qualify. This year a record 27 networks reached the threshold for charger numbers, combined with sufficient responses from EV drivers, all recording a positive rating above three.
Zapmap awards a ‘Best EV Charging Network’ accreditation to the top scorer in each category. Other top performers for overall level of charging satisfaction in their category, receive an ‘EV Driver Recommended’ title. As part of the survey, respondents 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.
‘Best EV Charging Network 2026/7’ in the ‘Large Rapid / Ultra-rapid’ network category this year, and for the third year running, goes to Tesla Public Supercharger. Included for the first time in the 2024/5 awards, following its decision to open up many of its sites to drivers of non-Tesla EVs, the well-established national network now has 1,289 EV chargers at 110 locations available to the wider EV driving community. This means that approx 57% of its total Supercharger network is open to the public, around 16% more than were publicly available in September 2025. The cost of public charging remains a key concern for EV drivers, and Tesla continues to offer significantly lower prices than most Rapid / Ultra-rapid networks. Drivers also appreciate Tesla Public Supercharger’s reliability, with one respondent summing this up: “Always 100% reliable. Very competitively priced compared with other operators. Price is lower at off-peak periods.”
Also in the large category, MFG EV Power takes second place, with IONITY and Be.EV sharing third place. These three networks secure the ‘EV Driver Recommended’ title for the 2026/7 awards, all scoring an overall satisfaction rating of 4 or more.
MFG EV Power has more than 3,000 Rapid / Ultra-rapid chargers across 597 locations, spanning both fuel forecourt sites and Morrisons supermarkets, and its network has seen a year on year increase of 16%. Its distinctive blue and green branding provides a highly visible charging solution for drivers, while manned locations help ensure swift problem resolution. Survey respondents particularly appreciated MFG EV Power’s reliability, ease of use and wide range of ways to pay, with one user describing the network as “Excellent, fast and easy to use”.
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IONITY has broadened its focus this year, expanding its existing network of charging along the strategic road network to include urban hubs in Aston, Birmingham and the first of planned series of London sites at Greenwich Shopping Park. It has also expanded geographically, with new locations in the Scottish Highlands. With 900 EV chargers across 84 locations, this is IONITY’s second year in the Large networks category, with drivers praising it for being: “Fast [with] nice hardware, excellent user interface, and reliable.”
Since Zapmap’s last network awards, Be.EV has acquired the Mer network, enabling it to triple its location count and move up from the medium to the large networks league. It now has 2,493 EV chargers, of which 1,370 are Rapid / Ultra-rapid, across 592 locations, with an increased presence in the South East and its first Scottish hub, while a partnership with Tesco Clubcard benefits shoppers when they charge. Ambitious expansion hasn’t stood in the way of customer satisfaction, with EV driver comments praising off-peak pricing and good customer service, and many describing Be.EV as their ‘go-to’ choice.
Best EV Charging Network 2026/7 in the ‘Medium Rapid / Ultra-rapid network’ category this year is Arnold Clark Charge, which was highlighted by Zapmap last year as ‘Best Up-and-Coming Network’. Still a relative newcomer, the car dealership has lived up to its early promise, celebrating the opening of its 60th site in Wolverhampton in February and continuing to offer highly competitive pricing at 55p/kWh. The network now incorporates 429 EV chargers across 63 sites. Whilst locations don’t often have nearby public amenities, Arnold Clark offers facilities, customer support and free coffee to drivers within its dealerships. Typical feedback focused on the network’s “convenience, super-helpful staff [and] handy locations.”
Also in the medium category, Fastned takes the second spot, with Smart Charge in third place. These two networks secure the ‘EV Driver Recommended’ title for the 2026/7 awards, all scoring an overall satisfaction rating of 4 or more.
Fastned has held a spot in the medium networks award table for several years now, and has continued its steady growth over the past year now extending to 270 EV chargers across 42 locations. Its iconic yellow wings and solar canopies make stations easy to spot and provide shelter while charging, while drivers appreciate its use of Autocharge technology to initiate a charge as soon as the car is plugged in. EV driver comments reflected this well-thought out site design and accessibility, with one respondent saying: “Autocharge and good site layouts make it an attractive alternative.”
Smart Charge, the charging network of the Sainsbury’s supermarket chain, is another network that has previously been awarded Zapmap’s ‘Best Up-and-Coming Network’, moving up last year to the medium networks award table. The first UK supermarket to operate its own charging network, Smart Charge now extends to 744 EV chargers across 96 locations. The network uses Kempower chargers, known for their reliability and informative user screens, and combines competitive pricing with the Nectar card rewards scheme, a popular solution for shoppers looking for a convenient way to fit charging into their day-to-day routine. In the words of one survey participant: “Lower cost. Nectar points. Convenient if you need to stop and get cheaper volts and grab meal deals.”
For the second consecutive year, Zapmap has had the volume and geographic range of responses to include awards for destination and on-street charging networks and this year has assessed those networks with at least 2,000 EV predominantly Standard and Standard Plus chargers (below 50kW); this has sometimes proved challenging due to the geographic concentration of some of these networks. Over 75% of the UK’s charging infrastructure is made up of Standard / Standard Plus chargers (96,000+ EV chargers) providing people without access to off-street parking with as close an experience as possible to at-home charging, as well as enabling drivers to charge where they would naturally stop anyway, such as at supermarkets, gyms and tourist attractions or where they may be charging overnight away from home, at hotels and other accommodation sites.
Also in the ‘Destination / On-street networks’ category, Zest and RAW Charging share second place, and both networks secure the ‘EV Driver Recommended’ title for the 2026/7 awards, with an overall satisfaction rating of 3.9.
Zest is a newcomer to the best networks tables, and it covers a mix of power bands and location categories, with around 84% of its 3,534 EV chargers being Standard / Standard Plus. It has a raft of relationships with food and drink sites, including KFC, Costa, Starbucks, Burger King, as well as a growing partnership with Co-Op food stores. Zest is another network that is taking a strong lead in LEVI roll-out, with contract award announcements including Hertfordshire County Council, Thurrock County Council and Southend-on-Sea. User comments centred around its ease of use, with some comments highlighting that Zest chargers provide: “Great service in location[s] otherwise lacking general charging.”
RAW Charging, which focuses on delivering charging solutions to the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors, has had a highly productive year. Its partnership with Landsec has seen infrastructure roll-outs across some of the UK’s most visited destinations, including the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, while a partnership with B&Q will bring RAW chargers to 28 store sites, with 11 of these already live. Expansion across National Trust sites also continues, contributing to RAW’s 44% year-on-year growth, and a network that extends to 2,602 EV chargers across 448 locations. EV driver feedback typically focused on reliability and locations, with comments such as: “Excellent locations, worked with no problem.”
Reflecting on the awards, Jade Edwards, Head of Insights and CPO Partnerships at Zapmap, said: “Many congratulations to all the networks, particularly Tesla Public Supercharger, Arnold Clark Charge and Connected Kerb, who top the tables in their respective categories. This year we have 27 qualifying networks across three tables, with new additions and movements across categories showing the extent to which the market continues to evolve. Our highest survey engagement rate ever reflects a growing community of EV drivers and the importance they place on a robust and effective public charging infrastructure.
“These awards provide feedback directly from charging network users, offering useful guidance for new and prospective EV drivers, as well as giving the industry insights into driver needs and priorities.”
Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said: “In the nine years we have been running this survey, we have seen great improvements in the public charging infrastructure across en-route, destination and on-street use cases. Coverage, reliability, ease of use and roaming have all improved substantially over the years, and it is great to take a moment to celebrate the hard work of all the networks, and to highlight the top performers; together they are powering millions of successful charging sessions every month and making a massive contribution to the transition to clean mobility.”
Edmund King, AA President, said: “An efficient, affordable, accessible charging network is not only essential for current EV drivers but also vital to help convince potential EV drivers to go electric. The AA UK EV Readiness Index has increased from 47.5 to 60 out of 100 in 12 months but shows there is still some way to go. Zapmap is the most trusted source in EV charger mapping, so these charger network awards are a true accolade for those leading the pack.”
Zapmap’s annual EV charging survey, now in its ninth year, is the most comprehensive analysis of UK EV driver behaviour and sentiment. In addition to providing the source data for the Best network and EV driver recommended awards, the findings cover important topics such as EV ownership, home charging and charging on the public network, while showing trends over time and regional variations. This year’s survey results will shortly be available, including more insight than ever before into how EV drivers are using the variety of different charging options that the UK’s public network provides.
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Quotes from the top-ranked networks
Large networks (more than 800 Rapid / Ultra-rapid EV chargers)
2nd – MFG EV Power – Overall rating 4.2
Martin Symes, EV Director at MFG said: “It’s been a brilliant year for MFG EV Power. The Morrisons Ultra-rapid hubs have been the standout story: big, bright, reliable sites in the places people already stop, and exactly the kind of locations drivers tell us they want. It’s been a year of proper milestones too: more hubs live, more high-power chargers in the ground, and more drivers using us every week. None of that happens by accident, so a real thank you to the drivers who took the time to vote for us, your feedback is what pushes us to keep raising the bar and to the team behind the network. A special thank also to our partners, whether they be major retail and food to go brands and those who helped to build the sites to such a high standard. I’m genuinely proud of what we’ve done together this year, and honestly, we’re still only just getting started.”
=3rd – IONITY – Overall rating 4.1
Andreas Atkins, Country Manager UK & Ireland, IONITY said: “Being recognised by Zapmap again means a lot to us, especially because it reflects the experience of EV drivers themselves. We’re growing rapidly across the UK, bringing high-power charging to more places, from the Scottish Highlands to Cornwall. We’re investing in faster charging, expanding into cities and working with partners to make charging more convenient and a natural part of people’s journeys. This award is a great recognition of our teams who make that possible every day.”
=3rd – Be.EV – Overall rating 4.1
Asif Ghafoor, CEO, Be.EV said: “You can talk about putting drivers first all you like, but the real test is what they think of you. That’s why being named a Zapmap EV Driver Recommended network for the third year running means so much to us.
It’s been a big year. We’ve celebrated our fifth birthday, tripled our network with the acquisition of Mer UK and expanded from the South of England up to Scotland, bringing our 39p/kWh Flexi Pass and Tesco Clubcard rewards to more drivers than ever. But there’s still plenty to do. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but the best feedback comes from drivers themselves. So if you spot me at one of our hubs, come and tell me what we’re getting right, what we’re getting wrong and what you’d like to see next!”
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Medium networks (250-800 Rapid / Ultra-rapid EV chargers)
1st – Arnold Clark Charge – Overall rating 4.4
Pablo Levi, Head of Arnold Clark Charge said: “Being awarded Zapmap Best EV Charging Network in the Medium Network category is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.
“What makes this recognition particularly special is that it’s based on feedback from thousands of EV drivers and reflects the experiences of the people who matter most – our customers.
“It’s been a brilliant year for Arnold Clark Charge, with more than 60 sites now live across the UK. We’re committed to making EV charging more accessible, convenient and affordable for drivers, combining ultra-rapid charging with ultra-low prices. We’re excited to continue growing our network and supporting the UK’s transition to electric.”
2nd – Fastned – Overall rating 4.3
Tom Hurst, UK Country Director at Fastned, said: “It’s fantastic to see Fastned named as an EV Driver Recommended network by Zapmap. We’re passionate about putting drivers first and making charging as easy and enjoyable as possible. From our reliable Ultra-rapid chargers and easy-to-use app to our distinctive solar canopies and welcoming stations, every detail is designed with drivers in mind, and it’s great to know that this is an experience EV drivers value. We’re continuing to grow our network to make charging more accessible to drivers wherever and whenever they need it.
“This award means a great deal to us, we would like to thank all the drivers who took the time to vote for and recommend Fastned.”
3rd – Smart Charge – Overall rating 4.2
Jen Sugden, Director of Commercial & Customer at Smart Charge, said: “We’re delighted that EV drivers have once again recognised Smart Charge as a Zapmap EV Driver Recommended network. To receive this recognition for the third year running means a great deal to us, particularly because it comes directly from the customers who use Smart Charge every day. As we grow the network, we’ll continue to put customers at the heart of what we do, making charging simple, reliable, accessible and rewarding.”
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Destination / On-street networks (2000+ EV chargers, predominantly Standard / Standard Plus)
1st – Connected Kerb – Overall rating 4.1
Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO, Connected Kerb said: “This recognition means a great deal because it comes directly from EV drivers. Our ambition has always been to make the switch to electric possible for everyone, whether or not they have access to a driveway. Being named Zapmap Best EV Charging Network in the Destination / On-street category shows that accessible, affordable and dependable local charging can deliver a genuinely great driver experience. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, grateful to the councils and communities that have partnered with us and determined to make public charging better still.”
= 2nd – Zest – Overall rating 3.9
Robin Heap, CEO Zest, said: “Recognition from the people who use our chargers every day means a great deal to us. Our mission is to make the shift to electric vehicles a realistic option for everyone, by providing reliable, convenient charging where people need it most. A Zapmap EV Driver Recommended award is a strong endorsement of the progress we’re making, and a huge credit to the Zest team delivering it.”
= 2nd – RAW Charging – Overall rating 3.9
Jason Simpson, CEO, RAW Charging, said: “Being named a Zapmap EV Driver Recommended network means a great deal to us, because it comes directly from the drivers who use our chargers.
“2026 has been a year of real scale for RAW. With Landsec, we now have more than 350 bays across 18 destinations, including Bluewater, Westwood Cross and Xscape Milton Keynes. We have also launched a 28-site ultra-rapid network with B&Q, and continue to expand with the National Trust, from Alderley Edge to Lizard Point. Our priority now is to keep that experience consistent as the network grows, so drivers can charge with confidence wherever they choose to spend their time.”