Advertisement feature from PIB Insurance Brokers
It’s essential that dealerships are aware of the associated risks and insurance implications when installing charging points for Electric Vehicles on site.
To meet the need for a reliable and convenient charging network across the UK, the number of charge points is growing dramatically. So, if you have charging points on your premises, whether for your own vehicles or those of your customers and employees, it’s essential you’re aware of the risks:
- Fire: with more EVs on the roads, including cars, scooters, bikes and motorbikes, there’s been an increase in electric vehicle fires4. The fire risk is posed by lithium batteries, which can overheat and catch fire without warning, if damaged5. If vehicles are charging unattended overnight, there is a real risk that fire could spread quickly to property and other vehicles, emitting harmful toxins.
- Liability: those who provide charging points are liable for third parties and their property. If fire results in a customer’s car being damaged or destroyed or if somebody is injured using a charging cable, you need to ensure you have protection in place in the form of third party liability.
- Cyber: EV and charging technology utilises software that has the potential to be hacked by cybercriminals, so you need to ensure you have some form of cyber protection in place.
- Security: to protect against vandalism and theft of cables, it’s essential to think about the location of charging points, utilising such safety measures as locking barriers, and having the necessary insurance cover.
If you’re considering installing charging points at your premises, it’s a good idea to talk to your broker to ascertain the insurer’s requirements. The insurer may wish to inspect your premises; require fire detection measures, such as CCTV; want reassurance that charging points have been professionally installed; and ask for a full risk assessment. It certainly makes sense to ascertain their requirements prior to rather than post-installation.
It’s wise to seek advise on how to reduce your risk, giving your insurer the reassurance that you are operating in a safe and protected manner, and ensure you are adequately insured with appropriate cover.
Contact Marcus Hewston, Motor Trade Sales Director, e: [email protected]