Naomi Nye, Head of Sales – EV charging at Drax Electric Vehicles

The rise and ongoing evolution of electric vehicles (EVs) has introduced a diverse range of charging options for drivers – both public and private – with workplace facilities playing an increasingly vital role in this growing ecosystem.

A Drax survey of large businesses found that nearly half (48%) have already installed EV chargers. For manufacturers, the benefits are particularly compelling. Used strategically, on-site charging allows staff and fleet vehicles to top up during shifts, breaks, or while loading equipment. When paired with energy storage or renewable sources like solar, these systems can cut operational costs and reduce the carbon footprint of manufacturing operations. It’s a win-win for both sustainability targets and the bottom line.

But while chargers are becoming mission-critical assets for manufacturing sites, many facilities managers have never had to maintain traditional fuel pumps, let alone EV infrastructure. The good news? With the right approach, keeping them running smoothly doesn’t have to be daunting.

How can charger downtime impact manufacturing operations?

The most effective EV charging strategies are backed by detailed operational data: travel routes, delivery schedules, and shift patterns. But if equipment isn’t properly maintained, the business case for workplace charging quickly falls apart. For manufacturing businesses, here’s what’s at stake:

  • Production delays – Failed charging sessions can disrupt delivery schedules, strand essential vehicles, and create operational headaches for logistics coordinators.
  • Higher operational costs – Public charging is usually more expensive than plugging in on-site. It can also require detours that eat into productivity and delay supply chain operations.
  • Regulatory penalties – Manufacturing sites operating rapid public chargers must now meet a 99% uptime target. Falling short could mean costly fines.
  • Health and safety risks – Damaged or faulty chargers present workplace hazards. If regular checks aren’t carried out, manufacturing businesses may fall short of their duty of care obligations to employees and visitors.

While you can’t prevent every fault – industrial environments are challenging – a proactive maintenance plan goes a long way toward protecting your operations and reputation.

Who is responsible for keeping chargers working?

The Government’s Workplace Charging Scheme has funded around 60,000 installations since it was introduced in 2016. It provides up to £350 (or 75%) towards the cost of the charger and installation for up to 40 sockets per applicant and sets out some of the requirements for ensuring they stay operational.

All government-funded chargers must include a three-year parts and labour warranty, which means the installer or manufacturer is responsible for fixing any faults as they arise. But this doesn’t cover every eventuality. Damage and vandalism fall outside that scope, and service packages aren’t mandatory or included in the grant.

That means it’s up to the manufacturing facility to keep equipment in good working order. Regular inspections and documentation are essential – not just for performance, but to limit liability if things go wrong. Relevant rules and guidelines include:

  • BS 7671 Wiring Regulations, which require regular inspections by a qualified electrician, at intervals determined by a risk assessment. Residual current devices (RCDs) must be tested every six months, and some are inside the charger.
  • The Health and Safety at Work Act puts a legal duty on businesses to ensure equipment is properly maintained and safe to use. This includes regular checks for damage and deterioration of electrical systems, adjusted based on the frequency of faults, with inspections by qualified electricians.

Why is preventative maintenance important?

Manufacturing environments present unique challenges for EV charging infrastructure. Industrial sites often expose equipment to dust, vibration, temperature fluctuations, and potential impacts from machinery or vehicles. Regular preventative maintenance becomes even more critical in these demanding conditions.

Industry best practice suggests six-monthly inspections, scheduled to avoid peak production periods and minimise disruption to operations. Qualified engineers can spot signs of wear and tear before they cause equipment failures. Most EV chargers on manufacturing sites are located outdoors or in challenging environments, exposed to water ingress, accidental damage and even insect infestation. These inspections should also cover mandatory six-monthly residual current device (RCD) testing to ensure units remain safe for employees and visitors.

Building resilient charging infrastructure

 For manufacturing businesses, workplace charging represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Done right, it supports fleet electrification goals, reduces operational costs, and demonstrates environmental leadership.

The key is treating EV charging infrastructure with the same professional approach you’d apply to any other critical plant equipment. That means establishing clear maintenance schedules, working with qualified service providers, and building maintenance costs into operational budgets from day one.

Whether you handle maintenance in-house or partner with a specialist provider, the goal remains the same: keeping that critical infrastructure reliable, compliant, and working as hard as your manufacturing operation.