Most electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are extremely reliable but, like all types of electrical equipment, they can develop faults. Whether you have a single charging point or you're a business owner with multiple charging stations, it can be difficult to know what to do when something goes wrong. What's the best course of action to take?
Is Your Charging Station Repairable?
If your EV charging station develops an issue, it could affect its performance in a variety of ways. You might notice that the power is cutting out, your vehicle is taking longer to charge, or your charging point is using more energy than usual. However, as charging stations are comprised of numerous components, it will be hard for most users to work out exactly where the issue lies. Therefore, it may be difficult you for to judge whether or not your station can be repaired and to estimate the potential costs involved.
Who Should You Turn To For Advice?
When you notice that your charging station isn't working properly, contact a company that specialises in EV charge point repair. They'll be able to identify the problem, tell you whether they can rectify it, and provide you with a quote for any work required. You can then weigh up the costs involved in repairing your charging station against those of buying a new one, and make an informed decision.
Repair & Replacement Costs
If your charging station can be repaired, the cost will depend upon the amount of work involved and the price of any replacement parts. Buying a new charge point could cost up to £1800, so it's usually worth finding out whether repairing your existing facility would be a more cost-effective option. When comparing prices, however, make sure you take any government grants that you'd be able to get when buying a new charging station into account.
How to minimise the chances of faults developing
The phrase 'prevention is better than cure' is a cliché, but that's because it's often true – and it's certainly the case here. Firstly, it's crucial to buy high-quality charging stations from a reputable manufacturer and use an accredited electrical contractor to install them. Secondly, each EV charging point you own should be tested regularly by qualified experts, to ensure that it's safe and performing to the highest standards.
Your Next Steps
If you need advice about a faulty EV charging station, please get in touch with us. We provide installation, testing, and repair services to a host of clients in the commercial and public sectors. We're members of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and the National Inspection Council for Electrical Contractors (NICEC), and we're also OLEV-registered EV charging station installers.
Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash
