A public charging station is high-value electrical equipment used by members of the public, outdoors and around the clock. Like any public-facing business, it carries risks. Planning for them protects your investment and your reputation.
What can go wrong
- Damage to equipment: vehicle collisions, vandalism, theft of cables, storms, flooding and power surges.
- Injury to people: trips over cables, electric shock or accidents in the charging bay.
- Damage to vehicles: a claim that a charger damaged a car's battery or electronics.
- Fire: electrical faults in the charger, the installation or the vehicle.
- Business interruption: lost revenue while a damaged charger is repaired.
- Data and payments: cyber incidents affecting drivers' personal or payment data.
Types of cover to discuss with your insurer
- Property or equipment cover for chargers, cabinets, transformers and canopies.
- Public liability for injury or damage to third parties at the site.
- Product and professional liability, depending on your role in supplying and installing equipment.
- Business interruption for lost income after an insured event.
- Cyber cover for data and payment incidents.
Who is responsible for what
Responsibility depends on the agreements between the site owner, the operator, the installer and the equipment supplier. Make sure your contracts state clearly:
- Who owns the equipment and who insures it.
- Who maintains it, and to what standard.
- Who is responsible for the electrical installation.
- How warranty claims are handled with the manufacturer.
- What drivers agree to in the terms of use.
Reducing risk in the first place
- Use certified chargers and qualified installers. See safety and certification standards.
- Install bollards, good lighting, clear markings and CCTV where appropriate.
- Follow electrical safety rules for earthing, protection and emergency shut-off.
- Keep cables off the ground and inspect them regularly.
- Monitor chargers remotely and fix faults quickly.
- Keep records of inspections, maintenance and incidents.
This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Insurance products and liability rules differ between insurers and states. Speak to a licensed insurance adviser and a lawyer about your specific site and contracts.