What To Do When an EV Charger Is Broken
Studies suggest up to 1 in 4 public chargers may be out of service at any time. Here's what causes failures, which networks are most reliable, and exactly what to do when you arrive at a broken charger.
Looking for live data? See how many stations are currently marked unavailable → EV Charger Outages Tracker (AFDC data)
What Causes EV Chargers to Break?
Six root causes account for the vast majority of charger failures.
Hardware & Cable Damage
Physical wear from heavy use, vandalism, weather exposure, and cable degradation over time.
Payment System Failures
Credit card readers malfunction, authentication servers go down, or billing systems fail.
Network Connectivity Loss
The charger loses contact with the backend via OCPP — appearing offline even if hardware is fine.
Power Supply Issues
Grid outages, tripped circuit breakers, utility maintenance, or electrical panel issues at the site.
Software & Firmware Bugs
Charger stuck in an error state, failed firmware update, or crash requiring a remote reboot.
Lack of Maintenance
Many operators — especially Level 2 — don't inspect chargers regularly. Issues go unnoticed for weeks.
What To Do: 5 Steps
Stay calm and follow this sequence.
Check your remaining range — don't panic
Before anything else, check how many miles you have. If you have 30+ miles, you have time to calmly find an alternative. Range anxiety makes everything feel more urgent than it is.
Try other stalls or ports at the same station
Most stations have multiple stalls. One broken stall doesn't mean they're all down. Try the others — you may find a working one immediately.
Document it — photo + note the stall ID
Take a quick photo of the error screen and note the stall number (printed on the charger). You'll need this to file a report and claim any refund.
Report it via the network app or phone
Report immediately — it helps other drivers and speeds up the repair. Most networks have in-app reporting. See contact numbers below.
Find the next nearest charger
Use PlugShare, ABRP, or your car's built-in navigation. PlugShare check-ins from other drivers show real-time status at nearby stations.
How to Report Per Network
Each network has its own process. Here's exactly how to do it for each.
Tesla Supercharger
Tesla app → tap the stall → "Report an Issue"
EVgo
EVgo app → session history → "Report a Problem"
Electrify America
EA app → "Help" → "Report Station Issue"
ChargePoint
ChargePoint app → tap station → "Flag Station"
Blink
Blink app → station detail → "Report Problem"
Are Some Locations More Prone to Problems?
Highway Corridors
High traffic = faster hardware wear. DC fast chargers here see the most use, though major networks prioritize uptime on routes.
Urban Level 2 (Lots & Garages)
Often poorly maintained. Higher vandalism risk. Property owners are responsible for repairs and may be slow to respond.
Retail Parking Lots
Reliability depends on whether the retail property owner maintains the charger. Large chains tend to be more reliable.
Tesla Supercharger Locations
Consistently maintained regardless of location. Tesla monitors all stalls remotely and often dispatches technicians before drivers report issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are EV chargers so unreliable?
Public EV charging infrastructure is still scaling rapidly. Hardware fails, payment systems go down, and not all operators inspect chargers regularly. Tesla's network is more reliable because they own and maintain everything end-to-end.
Which EV charging network has the best reliability?
Tesla Superchargers consistently rank #1 with ~98–99% uptime. EVgo follows at ~93–96%. ChargePoint and Blink have the most variance, partly because third-party property owners manage many stations.
Can I get a refund if a charger fails?
Yes — all major networks offer refunds for failed sessions. Contact support immediately with your session details and a photo of the error screen.
How long does it take to fix a broken charger?
Tesla typically repairs within 24–72 hours. Other networks can take days to weeks for hardware failures. Non-networked Level 2 chargers may go unrepaired for months.