Electrical Safety Foundation Gauges Understanding of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Installation

The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI) recently surveyed building owners and managers to gauge their understanding of electric vehicles (EV) and the safe installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), or EV charging stations and chargers. The goal of the survey was to identify safety gaps related to emerging technology to keep consumers, installers, and businesses safe. The survey results showed that more than 91 percent of building owners had a site inspection conducted before installing EVSE.

Survey respondents stressed the importance of having the equipment installed professionally, with high-quality equipment, to ensure all measures meet standards for safety and code compliance. “To prepare your building for EV charging, it’s imperative to have a qualified electrician complete an electrical system inspection to ensure your business has the right electrical capacity for EV charging,” says ESFI President Brett Brenner. “All EV charger installations and site inspections should only be completed by qualified electricians who have been trained and are insured and bonded to complete electrical work.”

Many respondents advised thoroughly researching and planning before installing EVSE. Several respondents recommended taking the time to install EVSE properly, as the process can take longer due to permitting or the availability of parts. Of the building owners who were surveyed, 46.5% had to have maintenance conducted on their EVSE, while 19.8 percent had to replace EVSE equipment. Of those that had to replace equipment, 23.5% replaced cables, 19.6 percent replaced plugs or connectors, 17.6 percent replaced electronic components or control units, 15.7 percent replaced housing or enclosures, and 11.8 percent replaced ground fault circuit interrupters.

Overall, 89 percent of survey respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their EVSE installation experience. Survey respondents agreed – 66.35 percent – that the number of EVSE installations in their buildings would change somewhat or significantly more over the next two months, 26.7 percent said installations would be about the same, and 6.9 percent believe it will be somewhat or significantly lower. Some respondents suggested engaging with building tenants during the installation process to manage expectations and minimize inconvenience. A few respondents suggested considering costs, gathering multiple estimates, comparing prices, and considering charging fees to balance installation and maintenance costs.

Adding EVSE to your building can attract new business and provide an incentive to employees while showing your corporate social responsibility and improving your environmental, social, and governance initiatives. ESFI urges building owners and managers to ensure all EVSE is installed by a qualified electrician and also to conduct a site assessment before installation to ensure that their electrical system can handle the electrical demands of EV charging throughout their building. View free EV safety resources that you can share throughout your community.