Understanding electric vehicle (EV) charging behaviour at public charging infrastructure is critical for effective network planning, tariff design, and policy development. This paper presents an observational study based on large-scale field data from the ChargePlace Scotland network, comprising nationwide public charging sessions across multiple local authorities and a diverse range of charging environments.

The study applies statistical and comparative analysis to investigate how charging behaviour varies across geographic contexts, including urban and rural settings, and how this interacts with infrastructure characteristics such as charger type and deployment context. Differences in utilisation, connection duration, and temporal demand patterns are examined to better understand how public charging assets are used in practice.

A key focus of the work is the role of tariff structures in shaping user behaviour. The analysis considers a range of pricing approaches, including free-to-use, flat-rate, and time-based tariffs, alongside the introduction of overstay penalties. The results indicate that tariff design can have contrasting effects across locations: while some pricing mechanisms improve turnover and reduce inefficient occupation of chargers, others are associated with reduced usage and potential underutilisation, particularly in lower-demand or rural areas. This highlights the sensitivity of user behaviour to local context and pricing signals.

The work is based on analysis of real-world field data and forms part of a broader research project on EV demand modelling and infrastructure planning. The findings are directly relevant to distribution network operators (DNOs) and system operators (SOs), as they provide empirical evidence on how charging demand is distributed spatially and temporally, and how it responds to pricing signals. This supports improved load forecasting, more accurate assessment of network impacts, and better-informed decisions on reinforcement, flexibility, and connection strategies.

The findings emphasise the need for context-sensitive tariff design that balances efficient utilisation with accessibility, while also enabling more predictable and manageable demand profiles from a power system perspective. These insights support network operators, policymakers, and planners in optimising the performance and scalability of public EV charging systems as part of the wider transition to low-carbon transport.