Usage analysis of public AC chargers in the UK

In the United Kingdom, approximately 56% of the total charging network, consisting of forty thousand charge points, is comprised of fast AC chargers. However, there exists a significant lack of information regarding usage patterns, which poses a challenge for making informed decisions about future infrastructure planning. This paper focuses on a statistical analysis of the usage patterns of 416 public AC chargers (7 kW) in the UK, based on a dataset comprising over ten thousand charging sessions. The data was collected from one of the UK's largest AC charging network operators over a four-month period (April to July 2022). The study specifically examines the charging demand (measured in kWh) and utilisation rates of chargers located in four different types of parking lots: multi-storey, workplace, on-street, and surface car parks. The analysis reveals that the median charging demand remains consistent across different locations, but there is a high standard deviation in locations with parking restrictions. Two different utilisation metrics, namely sojourn-based and energy-based, are employed to assess the utilisation rates. The results indicate that the overall median utilization rates are generally low, with most locations recording rates below 5%. These findings contribute valuable insights for effective planning and optimal allocation of investments aimed at expanding charging infrastructure.