For years, the electric vehicle industry has focused heavily on expanding charging infrastructure. Yet as public charging networks grow, another issue is becoming impossible to ignore: the quality of the information drivers receive about those chargers.
A recent study by SBD Automotive and Eco-Movement suggests that inaccurate charging data is now damaging the wider EV ownership experience. While many charging stations technically exist and function, poor digital information often leaves drivers struggling to locate them, understand their capabilities or trust their availability.
The findings reveal how even small data errors can create major frustration. Incorrect GPS coordinates, missing charging stations and outdated operational updates all contribute to a sense of uncertainty among EV owners. In some cases, chargers appear on apps or vehicle navigation systems despite being unavailable, while others are absent altogether.
For drivers planning long journeys, that uncertainty can quickly become stressful. Reliable charging information is now considered just as important as the physical charging hardware itself.
The report identified location inaccuracies affecting thousands of charging points across Europe and North America. Some chargers were incorrectly mapped by several metres, enough to make them difficult to find in shopping centres, underground car parks or large roadside service areas.
Power ratings also emerged as a major issue. More than 45,000 charging points were found to contain incorrect charging speed information, potentially misleading drivers about how long they would need to wait. For consumers already concerned about charging times, these inconsistencies can damage confidence in EV ownership.
The challenge comes at a critical time for the automotive industry. EV adoption continues to rise globally, but surveys repeatedly show that charging anxiety remains one of the biggest barriers preventing wider consumer acceptance. According to SBD Automotive, poor charging experiences are influencing some drivers to reconsider future EV purchases altogether.
Community feedback online reflects the same concerns. Many EV drivers on Reddit say they routinely rely on multiple charging apps and backup plans because station data cannot always be trusted.
As competition intensifies, manufacturers and charging providers are increasingly treating software accuracy and live connectivity as core parts of the customer experience. Better real-time updates, standardised data systems and smarter route planning tools are becoming central to the next phase of EV development.
The message from the industry is becoming clear. Building more chargers matters, but ensuring drivers can depend on the information surrounding them may matter even more.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
