Written by Paul Horner, Director of Maintenance.
Here’s why maintenance matters more than you might think.
As the UK’s public charging network matures, a new challenge is coming into focus: keeping the infrastructure alive. Targets for 99% uptime are now standard across publicly funded networks, yet around one in eight rapid chargers currently sits in fault condition. The issue is no longer about installation – it’s about reliability.
Every charger follows the familiar “bathtub” reliability curve: early-life issues, a long stable phase, then a rise in failures as components age. With thousands of units now reaching that middle phase, maintenance is becoming the unseen backbone of the EV transition.
At Envevo, we see the same failure patterns repeating across brands: water ingress from ageing seals, coolant leaks and air locks, worn fans and contactors, oxidised signal connectors, vibration-loosened terminals, and cracked CCS plugs. None of these problems are mysterious – they’re predictable, measurable, and preventable. The real opportunity lies in catching them early.
That’s where experience makes the difference. Drawing on over two decades of electronics engineering and more than 21,000 power-module repairs, Envevo maintenance has developed diagnostics that reach far beyond standard OEM checklists: impedance tests that reveal contactor wear, fan spin-down analysis to detect worn bearings, thermal imaging to find hidden heat build-up, and highly diligent connector inspections that stop safety risks before they escalate.
Each intervention may seem small – lubricating a door seal, cleaning a SIM socket, tightening a connection – but collectively they protect uptime, extend service life, and preserve confidence in public charging. Behind the scenes, our N. Yorkshire based repair lab can repair modules and sub-assemblies down to component level, feeding data back to our nationwide field engineers. The result is a continuous feedback loop that makes every charger we touch more reliable than the last.
Working as authorised partners for leading OEMs including Alpitronic, ABB, Delta, and Tritium, we combine manufacturer knowledge with independent insight. Our SLA models range from 4hr emergency response to cost-efficient scheduled maintenance and framework packages that give Charge Point Operators predictable annual costs with full parts management and preventive coverage.
Maintenance also has a sustainability dimension. Repairing rather than replacing equipment cuts waste, reduces embedded carbon, and supports ESG goals across the supply chain. Reliability and responsibility can – and must – go hand in hand.
The future of EV charging depends not just on installing more units, but on ensuring those already in the ground keep working safely for the next decade. The drivers who depend on them rarely think about maintenance – but it’s what keeps the lights on, the vehicles moving, and the promise of electrification intact.
At Envevo, we believe maintenance isn’t an afterthought. It’s the engine of reliability behind the UK’s transition to electric mobility.
