The hidden EV charging problem: Why connectivity failures are costing you customers

EV adoption is growing fast, but charging infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. A recent Consumer Reports survey found that 40% of public EV charging attempts fail due to payment processing issues, unresponsive hardware, or network outages. These failures frustrate drivers and slow EV adoption.

At the core of these issues? Unreliable connectivity. Most charging stations depend on network access to process payments, communicate with backend systems, and deliver a seamless user experience. When that connection fails, so does the charge.

This article breaks down the top EV charging reliability challenges and explains how Telnyx IoT SIMs and eSIMs provide always-on connectivity to ensure smooth payments, responsive hardware, and a better overall experience for EV drivers.

The most common EV charging problems

Charging stations should make refueling an EV as simple as filling a gas tank. Instead, many stations fail when drivers need them most. Payment processing errors, hardware malfunctions, and unreliable connectivity all contribute to a frustrating user experience. Understanding these pain points is crucial for charging network operators looking to improve reliability.

Payment processing failures

Payment issues are one of the most common pain points for EV drivers. Drivers frequently encounter:

• Card readers that don’t work
• App-based payment errors
• Offline or out-of-service stations

These failures often stem from poor connectivity. Most chargers rely on a cellular or Wi-Fi connection to process transactions. If the network is weak, payments stall—leaving drivers stranded.

With Telnyx IoT SIMs, EV charging stations can connect to multiple cellular networks, ensuring seamless payment processing even in areas where a single carrier might have poor coverage.

Hardware and UX failures

Beyond payment processing, the physical and digital user experience at charging stations is often unreliable. Drivers frequently encounter malfunctioning screens, broken card readers, or chargers that won’t start due to backend issues.

Many EV chargers suffer from unresponsive screens, broken card readers, and network errors. A UC Berkeley study in November 2024 found that 23% of public fast chargers were nonfunctional, often due to:

• Glitchy touchscreen interfaces
• Poor station-to-cloud communication
• Broken connector cables

While some failures are hardware-related, connectivity issues masquerade as hardware problems. A slow network connection can cause a charger’s interface to freeze or fail to respond, making it seem broken when it’s actually just disconnected.

Reliable connectivity for EV charging networks

To address these challenges, charging networks need a more resilient connectivity solution. Telnyx IoT SIMs and eSIMs provide charging stations with stable, always-on connectivity to reduce downtime, prevent failed transactions, and ensure a better customer experience.

Always-on, redundant connectivity

A charging station is only as reliable as its network connection. If a station goes offline due to poor coverage, drivers are left without a charge. Telnyx SIMs provide multi-network redundancy, ensuring chargers stay connected at all times.

EV charging stations need a reliable, always-on network to process transactions, enable remote management, and ensure smooth operation. Telnyx IoT SIMs are multi-IMSI and multi-carrier, meaning they can connect to multiple networks and automatically switch if one goes down.

This eliminates network-related station failures and ensures payment processing and user interfaces remain responsive at all times.

Global coverage with a single SIM

Managing multiple carrier contracts across different regions is a logistical challenge for charging networks. With Telnyx global IoT SIMs, charging stations can operate seamlessly across multiple countries without needing different connectivity solutions.

For EV charging companies operating across multiple regions, managing different SIM cards and carrier contracts is a logistical nightmare. Telnyx provides coverage on 650+ networks in 180+ countries, allowing charging providers to deploy stations anywhere with a single connectivity solution.

With one Telnyx SIM, operators can scale their networks without worrying about compatibility issues or connectivity gaps.

Secure, real-time payment processing

Ensuring secure, seamless payment transactions is critical for EV charging networks. A single failed transaction can frustrate drivers and lead to lost revenue. Telnyx SIMs provide private, high-reliability connections for fast and secure payment processing.

Payment security is critical for EV charging networks. Telnyx IoT SIMs offer private network connectivity and secure APN configurations, ensuring transactions are processed quickly and safely.

By routing payment data over a dedicated, private connection, Telnyx helps reduce latency and minimize failed transactions—so drivers can tap and charge without frustration.

Remote monitoring and proactive maintenance

Many charging stations go offline unexpectedly due to network failures or software issues. With Telnyx real-time monitoring and remote management, operators can detect and resolve issues before they impact drivers.

EV charging stations require constant monitoring and real-time troubleshooting. With Telnyx’s Mission Control Portal and APIs, operators can:

• Monitor real-time data usage and station connectivity
• Receive alerts if a station goes offline
• Push remote software updates and fixes

This allows operators to prevent outages before they happen, reducing downtime and improving customer satisfaction.

Industrial-grade and future-proof

EV charging stations operate in demanding environments, from extreme weather conditions to high-traffic urban areas. Telnyx IoT SIMs are built for reliability, ensuring consistent performance regardless of conditions.

Telnyx IoT SIMs are built for the harsh conditions of outdoor charging stations. Available in ruggedized plastic or embedded chip formats, they withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions.

Additionally, Telnyx’s eUICC technology enables remote carrier profile updates—so stations can upgrade to 5G or private LTE networks without swapping SIM cards, ensuring long-term scalability.

Power up your EV charging network with Telnyx

EV charging reliability hinges on connectivity. Unstable networks lead to failed payments, unresponsive hardware, and frustrated drivers. Telnyx IoT SIMs and eSIMs solve these challenges by providing:

• Multi-network redundancy for always-on connectivity
• Global coverage with a single SIM
• Secure, real-time payment processing
• Remote monitoring and proactive maintenance

Reliable connectivity translates to higher uptime, fewer customer complaints, and a seamless charging experience.

Ready to upgrade your charging network’s reliability?