EV charging: quality must come first

Bureau Veritas has warned that “quality must come first” if the UK is to create a world-class charging network for cleaner vehicles.

Responding to government plans to spend £40 million on improving infrastructure for electric vehicles, electrical safety expert Bureau Veritas said that quality in terms of engineering, safety and compliant installations must come first.

Technical manager Michael Kenyon said: “As all new installations will need to be compliant, businesses such as service stations, shopping centres and hotels will require installers of EV charging points to be accredited by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). What’s more, installers and inspectors of charging infrastructure will need to have a clear and detailed understanding of the different types and classifications of RCDs and how to test them.

“We understand that for many, this will be a new area, often fraught with complexity. That’s why putting a robust strategy in place for the initial inspection and maintenance of these charging installations by an independent appraiser is the best way to ensure they comply with all the relevant standards.”