Operating a site

The charging station operator is responsible for ensuring users understand how to use the equipment safely, and that the equipment continues to be safe and reliable.

Charging station operator

The charging station operator is responsible for ensuring users understand how to use the equipment safely, and that the equipment continues to be safe. 

WorkSafe New Zealand defines the health and safety requirements a charging station operator has as PCBU (person conducting a business or an undertaking) under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015(external link).

Advice on charging stations

The following advice should be provided to users of charging stations:

• manufacturer’s instructions – do’s and don’ts;
• testing tag – “This station was last tested and assessed on [date]”;
• UL labels, if complying with UL standard;
• operator contact details; and
• “In case of an emergency contact [details]".

Service plan

All charging stations should have a service plan, outlining the following information:

On-call support

The availability of a technician, if something isn’t working at the station, should be considered as part the appliance service plan.

All charging stations must have a residual current device (RCD) to protect the user in the case of a fault or accident, which works by switching-off the charging station. A technician should be available to visit the site and verify the cause of the fault before the RCD is reset.  

Regular maintenance

The charging station operator should:

• address, as soon as possible, any issues, defects, damage or wear and tear that has the potential to affect the functioning or safety of the station
• establish and implement a safety assessment programme for regularly reviewing the safety of the electric vehicle charging equipment, conductors and fittings and
• keep records, for seven years, of:
  • the details of any issues found during the assessment and
  • actions required to be taken in relation to those issues.

If tethered connectors are part of the installation, they should be checked, and repaired or replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Upgrading or expanding an installation

If considering a significant upgrade or expansion of charging infrastructure, it is recommended that an electrical engineer is engaged to come up with an appropriate design.

Any further installation activities may be executed by an installer as outlined in this guidance.

Removing an installation

If a charging station is decommissioned, it should be removed by a certified and competent electrical worker within three months.   

Providing information for drivers

Logging your charging station

For customer visibility it is recommended that charging stations are logged with EVRoam as this service makes charger information available to third-party applications for EV drivers.