If you’ve recently been assigned an EV charging project or if you’re a small business owner exploring your options, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. The marketplace is crowded, the technical specifications seem endless, and each company claims to offer the best solution. How do you cut through the clutter and make a choice you won’t regret?
The good news is that choosing the right EV charging manufacturer doesn’t have to be complicated. While flashy features and impressive kilowatt numbers catch the eye, the factors that truly determine your satisfaction are often simpler and more practical than it might first appear.
Choosing the Right EV Charging Manufacturer: Start with What Actually Matters
When evaluating manufacturers, focus on three core priorities:
- Reliability
- Customer service
- Flexibility
Everything else—the speed, power output, bells and whistles—should be secondary considerations based on your specific use case.
Reliability: The Foundation That Drives Everything Else
Whether you’re managing a public charging network, electrifying a corporate fleet, or installing chargers for a municipality, reliability is the foundation of your investment. According to J.D. Power’s 2025 study, improving reliability is among the top priorities to enhance the overall EV charging experience. This matters for every type of buyer, from convenience store owners serving the public to fleet managers keeping vehicles on the road to municipalities meeting sustainability goals.
Recent industry data shows that charging reliability has improved, with non-charging visits hitting a four-year low of 14%, meaning roughly one in seven charging attempts fails. For a public charging operator, that’s lost revenue. For a fleet manager, it’s vehicles sitting idle instead of working. For a municipality, it’s a stalled fleet, the inability to provide public services, and failed sustainability initiatives.
The reality is straightforward: Every charger will experience some issue at some point. It’s simply the nature of technology. What separates the best EV charger manufacturer from a frustrating one is how often those issues occur—and how they respond when problems arise.
Look for EV charger manufacturers with proven uptime statistics backed by actual operational data, not just promises. The federal government’s NEVI program requires a 97% uptime standard for publicly funded chargers, setting a baseline for the industry. BTC POWER maintains a 98% uptime rate based on real-world performance across thousands of installed chargers worldwide. This kind of track record matters because downtime doesn’t just mean inconvenience; it means lost revenue, frustrated customers, operational headaches, and undermined confidence in your EV program.
But uptime tells only part of the story. Industry research shows that the first-time charge success rate is a more accurate measure of reliability than uptime alone, because a charger can be technically “up” yet still fail to serve drivers due to payment system errors or software glitches. That’s why you need a manufacturer committed to the complete charging experience, not just keeping the lights on.
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The Service Factor: Why Answering the Phone Matters More Than You Think
This might sound obvious, but one of the most reliable indicators of a manufacturer’s quality is how responsive they are before you buy. If a company ignores your calls when you’re trying to give them money, imagine how responsive they’ll be after the sale.
A fleet operator in Missouri recently shared her experience shopping for chargers. She was initially drawn to a major industry name, but after leaving seven or eight voicemails just to get basic information, she expanded her search. When she connected with a responsive sales representative who answered questions promptly and stayed engaged throughout the process, the choice became clear. That responsiveness didn’t stop after the purchase; it continued through installation, commissioning, and ongoing support.
Look for EV charger manufacturers with proven uptime statistics backed by actual operational data, not just promises.
Consider another case: A municipality in Southern California had been working with a recognizable brand name for its charging infrastructure. The hardware looked great on paper, but when issues arose, the municipality’s calls went unanswered. After switching to a manufacturer that provided responsive support, they realized that reliability isn’t just about uptime; it includes having a partner who shows up when you need them.
The lesson? Pay attention to how companies treat you during the evaluation phase. If they’re unresponsive or dismissive when you’re a small customer, that pattern will likely continue. A manufacturer that values your business, regardless of project size, will demonstrate that through consistent communication.
Flexibility Matters: Avoid the Locked Ecosystem
Some manufacturers require you to purchase their hardware, software, and service plans as a package. While this might seem convenient initially, it can become problematic if you’re unhappy with any component.
The better approach is to choose a manufacturer that offers flexibility. Look for companies whose chargers support multiple software platforms via open standards such as OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol). This way, if you don’t like your software provider, you can switch without replacing all your hardware. Similarly, if you have in-house technicians, you can train them on the equipment rather than being locked into expensive service contracts.
One solar company expanding into EV charging had experienced technicians on staff. Rather than forcing them into a service plan, their manufacturer offered comprehensive training at headquarters. This enabled them to handle most issues in-house, dramatically reducing long-term costs and response times.
The Right-Sizing Question: Don’t Get Caught Up in Bigger Numbers
Here’s a common trap: A buyer sees that one manufacturer offers 200-kilowatt chargers while another offers 180 kilowatts. The immediate assumption is that bigger is better. However, the required power and charging speed depend on the use case. When charging a fleet of vehicles overnight, for example, a simple 100 kW setup will suffice, whereas a convenience store seeking a quick turnaround and serving numerous customers with different vehicle types will need a very different setup.
In the case of overnight fleet charging, it’s like buying a smartphone with the maximum storage when you barely use half of the base model’s capacity. Sure, it sounds impressive, but are you actually paying more for capability you’ll never use?
The key is to match the charger to your actual needs. If you’re charging school buses overnight, you don’t need ultra-fast charging. If you’re running a busy highway rest stop, that’s a different story. A good manufacturer will help you right-size your solution rather than overselling you on unnecessary features.
Warning Signs: EV Charger Manufacturer Red Flags to Watch For
Red flags in any relationship, including business relationships, require a reevaluation of plans and direction. As you evaluate manufacturers, watch for these warning signs:
- Unresponsive communication during the sales process
- Dismissive attitudes toward small projects (2-3 chargers)
- Forced bundling of hardware, software, and services
- Declining stock prices or financial instability (some major players have recently declared bankruptcy or exited the market)
- Overpromising on project timelines without transparent explanations
- Lack of longevity in the industry (many startups appear and disappear quickly)
The EV charging industry has seen significant consolidation. Major players have either gone bankrupt or exited the market. When the manufacturer disappears, so does your customer support. Look for companies with stable backing and a track record of staying power.
The Partnership Approach for Choosing the Best EV Charger Manufacturer
The best manufacturers don’t just sell you equipment, they partner with you throughout your EV journey. This might include:
- Connecting you with grant writing experts to reduce upfront costs
- Offering financing options to ease budget constraints
- Providing training for your team
- Introducing you to trusted installation partners
- Maintaining involvement even after the sale
When a severe weather event struck a major city and impacted charging infrastructure across multiple locations, BTCP’s senior leadership team immediately flew out on Christmas Eve to address the crisis affecting their customers. This wasn’t outsourced to a service contractor or handled remotely—the company’s top executives personally responded to ensure their customers’ operations were restored quickly. That kind of commitment demonstrates a manufacturer who stands behind their product and prioritizes customer success, even when it means senior leadership gets their hands dirty during the holidays.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right EV charger manufacturer ultimately comes down to finding a partner who prioritizes your success over flashy marketing. Focus on companies that demonstrate reliability through both their technology and their responsiveness, offer flexibility in how you deploy and manage your charging infrastructure, and show financial stability that ensures they’ll be around for the long haul.
Don’t let yourself be dazzled by the biggest numbers or the most recognizable brand names. Instead, ask the practical questions: Will they answer when I call? Can I trust them to support my project long-term? Do they have the experience and stability to be here in five years?
The answers to these questions will serve you far better than any spec sheet ever could. BTC P prioritizes the three credos for a successful business partnership, including reliability, service, and flexibility. Give us a call to discuss your pending EV charging project.
About the Author: Jack Hepsen
