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.

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.

Ultimately, the results highlight the necessity of balancing asset utilisation, network integration, and public accessibility to support scalable low-carbon transport infrastructure. 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.