Short answer: The percentage of time a charger is operational and available for use, a key reliability metric for charging networks.
Explanation
Uptime measures what percentage of the time a charger is working and ready to charge cars. An uptime of 98% means the charger is operational 98% of the time and down for maintenance or faults for 2%. That 2% downtime equals about 7 days per year when the charger is unavailable.
For drivers, uptime directly affects reliability. If you arrive at a charger that is out of service, you need to find another one, which can add significant stress and time to your journey. Networks with high uptime (97%+) provide a more dependable experience. Networks with low uptime (below 95%) can be frustrating, especially in areas with few alternatives.
CPOs track uptime as a key business metric, and some are beginning to publish their uptime figures publicly. Regulatory bodies in some European countries are starting to require minimum uptime standards for publicly funded chargers. As a driver, you can contribute to improving uptime by reporting broken chargers through the network's app.
Where you'll see this
- In charging network apps
Common confusion
High uptime does not guarantee the charger will be available when you arrive. A charger with 99% uptime is still working, just occupied by another car. Uptime measures reliability (is it working?), not availability (is it free?).
Example
Fastned reports network uptime above 99%. Ionity targets 97%+ uptime across their European network. Some smaller CPOs operate at 90-95%, meaning you might encounter a broken charger once every 10-20 visits.
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