As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, many drivers still face frustrations when using public charge points – whether that’s a charger that won’t start, slow charging speeds, or a stuck cable, AA Business Services outlines its key tips.
To help EV drivers stay on the road with minimal hassle, The AA’s charge point customer support service is sharing expert tips for dealing with the most common charging issues – based on the top driver FAQs.
James Starling, director at AA Business Services, explained:
“Our experience from handling over 7,000 calls a month to our charge point support service tells us knowledge really is power. While our team is there to get drivers back on the road quickly, we’re seeing that many challenges could easily be prevented.
“Vehicle and charge point familiarisation, with a little more planning ahead, is key. So, we’ve collated our top tips to help business drivers avoid the common pitfalls – hope they help!”
Don’t skip EV familiarisation
When you first get the keys to your new EV, take time to get to know the essentials before hitting the road – and well ahead of needing that first charge. The top two reasons for calls to The AA’s charge point support service last year were unable to start a charge and the charging cable being stuck. Read the manual, familiarise yourself with the vehicle’s app and watch ‘how to’ videos for support.
Follow the step-by-step guide at each charge point
Remember, every charge point operator does things a little differently. So, make sure you read the instructions on each charge point before getting started with your charge. And follow the steps in the right order. This can be the difference between a successful charge and getting stuck. These differences are also true for charging speeds, holding charges and support services – they vary between operators, so do your research ahead of time.
Plan ahead
As with any journey, including one powered by electric, preparation is key. Plan where you’re going to charge up and have back-ups in case you must divert. This will help avoid those almost-out-of-charge panics. It’s at these times challenges that are usually obvious can become problematic, as we’re rushing. This is particularly important to keep vulnerable drivers safe, or for travel at night.
The AA operates an industry-first charge point support service, currently working with 9 charge point operators (CPOs) across the UK. The calls go through to a dedicated team of call handlers who can deal with any problems a driver has at the charge point.
Image courtesy of AA Business Services
