Does Your EV Charger Need Maintenance? Ageing Chargers and Who Fixes Them (Essex 2026)

This week, EV charge point specialist Safer Charging warned that many of the private chargers that drivers rely on are being left with no one to look after them. As reported by Transport and Energy on 11 November 2026, it described these chargers as a "missing middle" that could undermine confidence in the switch to electric. If you have a charger at home, at a rental property or at your business premises in Thurrock, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Upminster or elsewhere in Essex, here is what it means for you. This guide is accurate as of 13 November 2026.

What did Safer Charging say about EV chargers?

Safer Charging pointed out that public charging operators have to keep their rapid networks working 99% of the time under the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023. The private chargers at workplaces, car parks, rental homes and other sites have no equivalent rules, and their upkeep is often one job among many for someone without charging expertise.

Its founder, Chris Cheetham, said the first and second waves of chargers are now ageing. In his words, warranties are running out, some installers have gone bust and taken their maintenance contracts with them, and some manufacturers have left the UK altogether, leaving "orphaned" chargers with nobody to fix them.

The company highlighted three risks:

• chargers that break down push drivers and fleets onto the more expensive public network

• neglected chargers can fall out of compliance, creating liability for the site owner

• sites may not be prepared for the fire risk, and insurers increasingly want evidence that it has been assessed

It also noted that EVs are far less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars, but that when they do, toxic gases and firewater run-off are major risks.

Does a home EV charger need servicing?

A home charger is a piece of electrical equipment connected to a dedicated circuit in your home, so it is worth treating it like any other part of your electrics rather than fitting it and forgetting it. Check your manufacturer's instructions and warranty terms, as these usually set out what checks they expect and how often.

Simple things you can check yourself, without opening anything up:

• the cable and plug are not cracked, crushed, scorched or discoloured

• the charger casing is not damaged and there is no sign of water getting in

• the indicator lights and app (if you have one) are not showing fault codes

• the charger is not tripping the RCD or circuit breaker in your consumer unit

If you notice any of these, stop using the charger and get it looked at by a qualified electrician. Do not try to repair the unit or the cable yourself.

Who fixes my charger if the installer or manufacturer has gone?

This is the question Safer Charging says too many owners cannot answer. It suggests asking three things:

• Who is responsible for maintaining the charger?

• When was it last inspected, and is there a record?

• Who would fix it if the installer or manufacturer disappeared tomorrow?

If your original installer has stopped trading, any competent, registered electrician can inspect and test the circuit, the protective devices and the earthing arrangement that supply your charger. Whether a faulty charging unit itself can be repaired depends on the make and on whether parts and support are still available. If they are not, replacing the unit on the existing circuit may be the practical option, subject to the circuit still meeting current standards.

Do landlords and businesses need to inspect their chargers?

For landlords, a charger connected to the fixed wiring of a rental property forms part of the electrical installation. Its supply circuit should be included when the property's Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is carried out.

For businesses, schools, car parks and other sites with several chargers, Safer Charging's warning is aimed squarely at you. Keep a record of each charger, who installed it, its warranty and when it was last inspected. Our electrical testing and compliance page explains the inspection and testing we carry out, and our commercial electrician page covers work on business premises.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my EV charger checked if someone else installed it?

Yes. A qualified electrician can inspect and test the circuit supplying your charger, whoever installed it.

Is it safe to keep using a charger that keeps tripping?

No. Repeated tripping is a sign that something needs investigating. Stop using it until it has been checked.

Should I replace my charger if the app or manufacturer no longer supports it?

Not automatically. If it still charges safely, it may be fine to keep using. Get the installation checked first, then decide.

Does CPW install new EV chargers?

Yes. See our EV chargers, heat pumps and air conditioning page. CPW is also a certified Tesla installer for Wall Connector chargers and Powerwall batteries.

Need your EV charger checked in Essex?

CPW Electrical Solutions Ltd is a Thurrock-based electrical contractor, NICEIC Approved (607863000) and MCS certified (NIC602214), with £2m public liability and £300k professional indemnity insurance. We inspect, test and install EV chargers for homes, landlords and businesses across Essex. See the areas we cover.

Call 07545 571230 (answered 7am to 7pm) or request a quote.