According to a survey conducted by Xendee, 89% of developers now see distributed energy resources and microgrids as essential to overcoming grid limitations – up from 74% in 2023. Grid access remains the biggest challenge, with developers struggling to secure reliable electricity, obtain grid capacity data, or manage surging power costs. In certain regions, charge point operators have even resorted to installing fossil-fuel generators to stay operational. In some cases, electricity prices have even overtaken fuel costs, undermining the business case for EV charging.
In the UK, progress is also being hindered. Despite a £1.4 billion investment plan, infrastructure growth has slowed due to planning delays and grid access constraints from Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). A lack of clear procedures and stalled permit approval echo familiar bottlenecks in many African cities, where ageing grids already struggle to meet basic demand, let alone the load from new high-powered chargers.
Charging equity is another growing concern. In Europe, only 17% of EV drivers feel public charging offers good value (compared to 71% in the U.S.). What’s more, in the UK flat dwellers usually can’t install home chargers, leaving them dependent on costly and limited public points. However, some start-ups, like Cosmic Charging, are trying to close this gap by installing and managing EV infrastructure in residential blocks, leveraging public grants, smart financing options and private partnerships to make charging more equitable.
In African cities like Nairobi and Johannesburg, similar inequalities persist. Those living in gated communities or with private driveways can install chargers, while low-income areas may have no options for charging at home at all.
Fast-charging speeds are another sticking point. Public rapid chargers, while improving, still create bottlenecks when charging takes longer than a quick refuelling stop. Level 3 chargers can take anywhere from 15–60 minutes (although some even faster chargers are currently being rolled out such as the BYD “Megawatt” charger), and limited availability often causes queues and frustration. This presents a serious issue for commercial fleets operating on tight timetables. In Africa, where home charging is even less viable, access to dependable rapid charging will be vital to fleet-based electrification.
Even when chargers are installed, reliability remains inconsistent. In the US, networks like Electrify America are criticised for poor maintenance, and Scotland’s ChargePlace network has faced similar complaints. Inconsistent servicing and lack of support can damage user confidence, particularly among early adopters who are often crucial in driving consumer market confidence. Africa’s EV momentum could be stalled by such issues unless maintenance and customer support are prioritised from the outset.
Another emerging challenge is interoperability. Competing regional standards – like ChaoJi, CCS, and CHAdeMO – mean chargers and vehicles often aren’t compatible, frustrating users and complicating scaling efforts. Cybersecurity risks add another layer, as connected chargers can be vulnerable to attacks. African markets, often financially constrained, must avoid the cost of retrofitting incompatible infrastructure later.
Both globally and in Africa, EV adoption is increasingly constrained not by vehicle availability, but by charging reliability and infrastructure shortfalls. Without urgent upgrades to grids, expanded charger networks, and policies that guarantee access and reliability, the electric transition risks faltering before it finds its footing.
For Africa, the challenge is no longer whether EVs will arrive – it’s whether the infrastructure will be ready when they do.
Reference List
https://www.facilitiesdive.com/news/grid-utility-ev-charger-development-xendee-survey/719929/
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/willingness-switch-evs-fades-faster-europe-than-us-shell-survey-shows-2025-06-16/
https://www.cbtnews.com/electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure-challenges-and-solutions/
https://automotivequest.com/challenges-in-charging-network-expansion/
https://www.iotm2mcouncil.org/iot-library/articles/technology/3-ev-charging-challenges-with-poor-connectivity/
https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/supercharge-evs-to-drive-britains-car-industry-out-of-the-doldrums-6cjnf5jhb
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/grid-utility-ev-charger-development-xendee-survey/719708/
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/29/one-of-the-biggest-ev-decisions-youll-make-isnt-which-car-to-buy.html
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