‘The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion’ (Paulo Coelho) - easy, simple, and yet extremely powerful message, applicable in this particular subject. Quoting any of the well-known influencers within the EV sector would have presented the same idea, we all have a role to play in reclaiming control and leaving a positive impact. 

   The EV industry is the one that took the responsibility to lead the change, facing incredibly difficult challenges at every move. We could all give examples of such issues, small or big, supported by personal or professional opinions. 

   This is a genuine reflection on real, yet controllable and fixable difficulties that grow obvious and require actions. It aims to raise awareness around the ‘once a unit has been installed, what can be done to ensure everybody gets satisfaction from it, whilst promoting the vision for a clean and green future’, opposite to being categorized as anti-EV.  

   To follow the above, starting from the title itself, ‘Sustainable after sale care is a necessity when ranking successful electric vehicle charging points’, I will bring into my reflection a game of questions and answers.  

   In many cases, rightful enough, we become particularly good at questioning, especially when ‘new’ has a role to play in that scenario. It does not mean that is wrong in doing so and the reasons for having that defense barrier might be so many.  

   Are my challenges as an EV driver measured and fully outlined with solutions in place?  

   Challenges can be anything from not being able to use a public charger (due to different faults), the access to the unit being impractical, units reported several times as presenting issues and still not been resolved, dirty, dusty, not sanitised (Covid19 promoters) and many others that any EV driver might have experienced. 

   There are solutions specially designed to support a clean environment and help maintenance teams with accurate information needed. 

   What is the effect inoperable charging points have in the long run? 

   You name it, the consequences can fluctuate from bad brand reputation, disengaged public in changing to electric vehicle or even reverting from electric vehicle, investment not recovered by the owners of the chargers, frustration, anger, disappointment, and the list can go on.  

   Is the correlation between installed and working chargers in equilibrium? 

     Of course, the need to enroll sufficient chargers is obvious and acceptable, but it needs to be complemented by maintaining and fixing the ones that fail to serve the EV driver when required, regardless of the failure type. 

   What is the risk of disappointing the expectations of an engaged advocate? 

   This question, respectively answer supports the ‘what is the effect inoperable charging points have in the long run?’. As in any industry/function/role, when working to implement new initiatives/processes/changes, the general reaction will be rejection. Once that stage has been taken care of and the journey finally gets to the sought level when people buy in into accepting and enforcing the change, what an incredibly fall it would be to lose your champions, the biggest supporters you have ever had, the ones that have been working with you all along. 

Is the unit looking clean and green? 

   Sadly, the answer to this question is not in everybody’s favour. Regardless of the reason for not being looked after, every and each electric vehicle charging point should be a reminder of what the aim is, CLEAN and GREEN future. A few pictures would have proven my point here, but again, the purpose of this article is not to shame and blame. 

   Would educating and nurturing the ‘WHY to change everything I have been comfortable with’, help control the fear of embracing the ‘new way of doing things’? 

   I feel it would make it increasingly easier. Why it needs to happen should be clear to everyone by now, and if that is not the case then, that right there is the very first easy fix.  

   It is human nature to question and reject when we do not have enough information, what is not fully understood, what is different, what is something that we have not thought about it first and this can be an incredibly long list. 

   Luckily there is a solution available to cover this last challenge and bring that nurturing or just extra information needed to boost the confidence of making a deliberate choice of changing to an electric vehicle. 

   With the hope that you will find this reflection helpful and simultaneously receive it as intended, to raise awareness around current problems and presenting solutions, I would like to assure once again everyone that this is an enthusiast’s commentary and does not support disbelievers of EV sector. 

    If you are interested in becoming more involved and contributing to CIHT Policy and Technical, please contact technical@ciht.org.uk.

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Author: Mirela Vrabie

"Reflecting upon my professional development, I feel blessed having had the chance to work in different industries.

  A diverse background provided the necessary tools to build a portfolio packed with skills, maturity and insights that beautifully complement each other in my daily responsibilities.

  Call me a believer or a dreamer, but I stand by any statement affirming that is OUR job to work for a better future and hope that ‘old-fashioned values’, such as humanity, respect, honesty, compassion, mental health, inclusion will not be forgotten."

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