Advanced EV Charger Maintenance: Beyond The Basics For Optimal Performance

Electric vehicles are quickly becoming part of everyday life. Most of our customers charge overnight, head out in the morning, and rarely think about the wall-mounted charger until something doesn’t work as expected. As professional installers, we often find that performance issues aren’t caused by the charger itself, but by overlooked maintenance details that go beyond the basics. 

In this guide, we share our experience-based insights into advanced EV charger maintenance, helping homeowners and businesses protect their investment, ensure safety, and maintain reliable, long-term performance.

If you would like personalised advice or professional support, call us on 01322 761101 or email office@evcinstalls.co.uk to speak directly with our team.

Why EV Charger Maintenance Matters More Than Ever

EV chargers are no longer simple power outlets. Modern smart chargers integrate load management, PEN fault protection, connectivity modules, and energy monitoring software. While these features improve safety and efficiency, they also mean maintenance is more critical than ever.

Correct EV charger maintenance helps to:

• Prevent unexpected charging failures
• Maintain electrical safety compliance
• Protect smart features and software reliability
• Extend charger lifespan
• Avoid costly call-outs or replacements

For businesses with multiple charge points, poor maintenance can also affect staff productivity, customer satisfaction, and eligibility for government grant schemes.

Understanding The Difference Between Basic And Advanced Maintenance

Most manufacturers provide basic guidance, such as keeping the charger clean and checking cables for damage. Advanced maintenance goes further by addressing electrical performance, software health, and environmental factors.

Basic Maintenance Includes

• Visual checks of cables and connectors
• Keeping the unit clean and unobstructed
• Avoiding cable strain or tight coiling

Advanced Maintenance Goes Further

• Load balancing verification
• Firmware and app updates
• Earthing and PEN protection checks
• Thermal performance assessment
• Connectivity and data reliability testing

As NICEIC-registered installers, we follow the EV charge point code of practice when assessing these factors during inspections or fault diagnosis.

Electrical Safety Checks That Are Often Overlooked

One of the most critical aspects of EV charger maintenance is electrical safety, particularly in UK domestic properties with evolving electrical demands.

We routinely assess:

• Supply capacity and load management performance as households add heat pumps, solar PV, or battery storage
• RCD and PEN fault protection integrity, especially for chargers that do not require earth rods
• Cable termination torque, which can loosen over time due to thermal expansion

If your charger was installed several years ago, it may benefit from a professional inspection, especially if your home’s electrical usage has changed.

You can learn more about our standards and approach to EV charger installation services on our EV charger installation services, which outline how we futureproof systems from day one.

Software, Connectivity And Smart Charging Performance

Smart chargers such as Hypervolt, Ohme, Easee and Myenergi rely on stable firmware and connectivity to function correctly. Missed updates or weak signals can reduce performance without obvious warning signs.

Advanced maintenance includes:

• Checking firmware versions and update success
• Verifying Wi-Fi, 4G or SIM connectivity
• Confirming tariff-based and scheduled charging accuracy
• Reviewing charger-to-app communication reliability

This level of EV charger maintenance is significant for customers using Intelligent Octopus, OVO Drive Anytime, or solar-integrated systems.

Environmental Factors That Affect Charger Longevity

Even premium chargers are affected by their surroundings. We regularly see performance issues caused by environmental exposure rather than manufacturing faults.

Key factors include:

• Moisture ingress from poorly sealed cable entries
• UV exposure degrades external cable insulation
• Temperature fluctuations affecting internal components
• Physical impact damage in shared driveways or workplaces

When we carry out installations, we account for these risks. However, periodic checks ensure minor issues don’t become costly failures.

You can see examples of our attention to detail in real installations on our recent EV charger projects.

Maintenance Considerations For Commercial EV Chargers

Commercial systems introduce additional complexity. Multiple chargers operating simultaneously require effective load management and ongoing monitoring.

Advanced commercial maintenance includes:

• Reviewing system-wide load distribution
• Testing fail-safe mechanisms
• Assessing user access controls
• Ensuring continued OZEV scheme compliance

Our experience with  commercial EV charger installations allows us to support businesses throughout London and the South East with scalable, compliant charging solutions.

When Should You Book A Professional Inspection?

While basic visual checks can be done at home, professional inspections should be considered if:

• Charging speeds have dropped unexpectedly
• The charger disconnects from the app frequently
• Your property’s electrical demand has increased
• The charger is over three years old
• You’re preparing for a property sale or rental

Regular professional checks help ensure EV charger maintenance remains proactive rather than reactive.

Why Choose Us For Ongoing EV Charger Support?

Since 2019, we’ve installed over 1,000 EV chargers across Kent, London and the South East. Our fully qualified team combines technical expertise with a personal approach, ensuring every charger we work on performs as intended long after installation.

Whether you need advice, inspections, or a new installation, we’re here to help.

Conclusion: Protect Performance With Proactive Maintenance

Advanced EV charger maintenance is about more than keeping equipment clean; it’s about safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability. By addressing electrical integrity, software health, and environmental risks, you can avoid disruption and protect your investment.

If you’d like expert advice or would like to arrange an inspection or installation, call us on 01322 761101 or email office@evcinstalls.co.uk. We’ll be happy to help you stay confidently charged.

FAQs About Advanced EV Charger Maintenance

1. How often should EV chargers be professionally checked?

For domestic chargers, every 2–3 years is ideal. Commercial systems benefit from annual inspections to maintain safety, performance, and compliance.

2. Can software issues affect charging speed?

Yes. Firmware or connectivity issues can disrupt load management and tariff scheduling, leading to slower or inconsistent charging.

3. Does maintenance affect warranty coverage?

Correct maintenance helps protect warranties. Manufacturers may not cover damage caused by neglect or misuse.

4. Are smart chargers more maintenance-heavy?

They require more monitoring, but their diagnostic features often make issues easier to identify and resolve early.