Encountering a broken public EV charger can be frustrating, especially if you’re in a rush to charge your electric vehicle. However, there are steps you can take to deal with the situation and get back on the road.
If You’re an EV Driver
Contact the charger owner
Many EV charging stations have contact numbers on the labels of the EV chargers. You can call this number to report a problem and ask for help. If the charger is located at a business or public location, you can also speak with the manager or owner to let them know about the issue.
Find an Alternative
First, check to see if there are any other public EV chargers nearby. There may be another charger within walking distance that you can use instead. If you’re in a parking lot or garage, ask the attendant if they know of any other chargers in the area.
If there are no other chargers nearby, consider using a charging app to find private chargers that you can use for a fee. Many private charging stations are available for public use and can be located through apps like PlugShare and ChargePoint.
It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of a broken charger. Consider keeping a portable EV charger in your vehicle for emergencies, or plan your route to include multiple charging stations along the way.
If you are an operator
If you happen to be the owner of an electric vehicle charger, the most direct approach is to call the charger manufacturer or installer. If you suspect that there was intentional damage to the charger, like a cut cable, then you should call the police and look into getting a security camera for your charger if you don’t already have one.
If you haven’t heard of ICEing a EV charger, then you should know that there are a lot of internal combustion engine (ICE) drivers that do not like the rise of EVs and want to continue to burn gasoline in all cars. There are EV charger vandals out there, but now some anti-ICEing laws are being passed to better protect EV chargers and reduce the hassle of broken EV chargers for EV drivers.
Encountering a broken public EV charger can be inconvenient, but there are several options available to help you deal with the situation. By being prepared and knowing what to do, you can stay on the road and continue to enjoy the benefits of driving an electric vehicle.
