With the trend of maintaining eco-friendliness, electric vehicles have gained high popularity. But, the availability of charging stations is a concern for many EV owners. So, some EV managers and owners have already installed home charging stations to ensure their convenience. But, what happens if any equipment in your charging station causes an issue? To avoid the hassle, you should maintain your charging station and be careful about the warranties. Although software and hardware have become more advanced, you must not overlook EV charging station maintenance.
Should you choose networked charging stations for your electric vehicles?
Having a preventive maintenance program is important for your EV charging stations. However, non-networked charging stations are separate units because they have no link to anything. As a charging station owner, you will find it challenging to understand if the system is non-functional. You will not need to pay an amount for charging. But, the absence of any network connectivity is the biggest issue.
On the contrary, a networked charging station will allow you to check the status. You can easily detect when the charging station needs maintenance.
So, it is better to invest in the networked system to ensure reliability. You can connect the charging station to other networks like gateway servers and charging apps. It also allows interactions with the Charging Platform Management System.
If there are offline charging stations, they will be of no use. You will not find their visibility on the maps. It will be difficult for your charging station to activate the charging session.
You can now easily make a decision on installing non-networked or networked charging stations.
EV charging station- Challenges with reliability
If there is no guarantee of the unreliability of EV charging stations, the infrastructure will have no value. You might have seen an increase in EV adoption. But, recently, the rate has declined due to the question of reliability. Sometimes, drivers cannot charge their EVs at the chosen charging stations. Only in a few places, the EV charging infrastructure is flawless.
Why should you consider a warranty on EV charger maintenance?
If you have installed an EV charging station on your premises, you must not overlook the maintenance warranty.
A cost-saving solution
Cost saving is the major advantage of having an EV charger maintenance warranty. It is costly to replace or repair components of your EV charging station. The comprehensive warranty covers the maintenance costs. To avoid the financial burden, you can choose a charging station with a warranty.
Higher reliability
Some businesses provide EV charging services and try to satisfy customers. Well-maintained charging stations do not experience downtime. So, the business will have a positive impression with consistent EV charging. With a maintenance warranty, you can ensure service reliability.
Longer lifespan
Timely repairs and regular maintenance will make your EV charging station long-lasting. The warranty confirms that certified professionals will service your electric car charging station.
Safety and compliance
The best electric vehicle charging stations stick to regulations and safety standards. Regular inspection service ensures that your EV is compliant with the relevant regulations. You can avoid electric failures causing risks to safety hazards.
Increase the resale value
Do you want to sell or upgrade the EV charging station? Some well-maintained EVs have a transferable warranty. This fact will help you attract more potential buyers. A professionally maintained EV charging station does not experience operational issues.
What services will you get with an EV maintenance warranty?
The maintenance warranty from the EV charging station providers covers the repair costs. However, you will get free service if the parts have manufacturing defects. Connectors, cables, and other parts will be repaired within the warranty period.
The warranty also covers bug fixes and software updates. With technological advancements, software updates have become important for maintaining compatibility and efficiency. Your charging stations will work with different EV models. Moreover, some warranties cover regular servicing and inspection. Thus, the charging station will work at the optimal level.
You will also get technical help from experts when you face any issues.
The best EV charging station providers dispatch the technicians to your site within 24 hours of your request. You will have no concern when your charger has any defects. For firmware and network upgrades, you can take advantage of warranties.
Thus, you must check the warranty period and pricing while installing the EV charging stations on your premises. Every vendor is different and offers a range of plans. Some providers offer renewable and long-lasting warranties for EV charging stations. Remember that the type of EV charger affects the warranty. For instance, the warranty plan may be different for DC fast chargers. You must check these details while making a deal with the provider.
When does your EV charging station need repair and maintenance?
The electric vehicle charging station lasts for about 10 years on average. However, the maintenance and servicing program involves ongoing activities. It is not simply about ensuring the firmware quality. As EV charging stations are installed in outdoor environments, weather elements may affect them. So, you must rely on professionals to maintain the charging station.
During maintenance, the experts will check for
- Cracks
- Screen display issues
- Loose connections
- Network problems affecting the payment processing
- Damaged wires
- Charging speed-related issues
To maintain the EV chargers, you should keep the cables and plugs dry and clean. It is also essential to find any potential dents in your EV charging station’s housing. If the charging station is under the warranty period, professionals will repair the problems efficiently.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance is vital to commercial and residential EV charging stations to ensure the best performance. It will prevent downtime and protect you from electrical safety issues. You can also reduce the repair costs with your EV charging station maintenance. Moreover, routine inspection will improve the functional value of the charging station. Your EV users will get the best experience.