No matter how many charging stations there are, they are meaningless if you arrive and still cannot charge. Examining new directions in measuring the value of EV infrastructure, Kempower points out that Uptime ROI is the key to long-term success in the EV market.
Mr. Carlo Secci, Director of New Markets at Kempower, a Finnish manufacturer of electric vehicle chargers and charging solutions, said that when discussing EV infrastructure, the focus is often on the number of installed chargers.
However, in reality, the most important factor for both drivers and service providers is actual usability and reliability. If chargers are not available when needed, the infrastructure is practically non-existent.
For EV drivers, reliability builds confidence in using electric vehicles. For charging station operators and fleet managers, reliability directly affects operational efficiency and return on investment (ROI). This is where the concept of Uptime ROI, or measuring returns based on availability, becomes crucial.
Instead of measuring infrastructure success solely by the number of installations, Uptime ROI emphasizes the economic value generated by a reliable and consistently available charging network.
"The total cost of ownership of EV charging infrastructure includes not only initial hardware costs but also installation, energy use, smart charging systems, and long-term maintenance—all factors that determine value over the asset’s lifespan."
The real challenge is not choosing between investing in infrastructure or accelerating EV adoption, as both must grow together. That’s why operators need flexible, reliable charging solutions that can scale with increasing demand.
Kempower’s fast-charging technology is designed to meet this need. Using highly efficient silicon carbide architecture combined with modular design and dynamic power distribution enables operators to install, maintain, and expand systems easily as demand grows—without compromising performance or user experience.
Data collected from Kempower’s global charging network, covering over 43 million charging sessions across more than 33,000 points in 60+ countries with over 1.7 terawatt-hours delivered, shows charger availability exceeding 99%. These figures demonstrate that infrastructure performance can be continuously monitored and improved based on real-world usage data.
Furthermore, insights from 13 million charging sessions in Kempower’s database reveal important findings: Most charging issues are not hardware-related. Approximately 81% of failed charging attempts stem from user-related factors, while only 19% result from technical malfunctions.
Common user-related problems include: Failed authentication or users forgetting to properly connect the charging cable. Technical issues typically involve communication problems between vehicle and charger or locking mechanism faults. These findings highlight that improving reliability requires a holistic approach integrating better technology, user-friendly design, and enhanced user experience.
Designing reliability as an integral part of EV charging infrastructure
Delivering reliable EV charging systems depends not only on robust hardware but also on scalable system architecture, intelligent software, and user-friendly design.
Technologies like dynamic power distribution allow multi-point chargers to share power efficiently, enabling stations to adapt to growing demand. Meanwhile, cloud-based management platforms support real-time system monitoring.
Predictive maintenance and overall network optimization further enhance performance. Simplifying the charging process through intuitive interfaces and clearer authentication steps also significantly reduces user errors.
As Thailand expands its public EV charging network, the country has a key opportunity to embed reliability and scalability into infrastructure design from the outset. Strategically locating charging points along highways, city centers, and industrial zones will be vital to support both everyday EV users and commercial fleets.
For example, fast-charging stations along major routes connecting Bangkok to industrial hubs like Rayong or the Northeast region show that well-placed infrastructure can effectively support long-distance travel and boost driver confidence.
Reliability becomes even more critical as commercial fleets transition to electric power. Logistics providers, ride-hailing platforms, and freight companies depend on predictable charger availability to keep vehicles operational, since any downtime directly translates into lost productivity and higher costs.
As large electric vehicles, or heavy-duty EVs, play a greater role, high-power charging infrastructure—including megawatt-level charging—will be increasingly important to fully support the electrification of logistics and heavy transport sectors.