IS IT TIME FOR THE ELECTRIC HIGHWAY TO GO?

EV Channels Review

The Electric Highway, operated by Ecotricity, is heavily criticized in this video for its persistent unreliability and poor customer service, making it a significant barrier to EV adoption in the UK. Despite being the first charging network in the UK, launching in 2011, its current state is deemed unacceptable. The reviewer highlights the network's consistent last-place finishes in owner surveys across charging costs, speed, ease of use, and reliability. Key issues include a forced reliance on a smartphone app for access (excluding many users initially), a lack of 24/7 support, and a failure to fully adopt the European standard CCS charging connectors even years after their promised rollout. While Ecotricity claims improvements and a 95% availability rate, the reviewer argues this is insufficient for a critical service and points to ongoing problems with older hardware and a lack of transparency. The video concludes that the Electric Highway's business and environmental model is flawed, urging Ecotricity to sell or improve the network to genuinely support EV adoption.