Column: Charging Infrastructure: Please Build Safely!

One of the central flaws: Apparently, the tested wallbox seemed to lack FI (fault current) protection – contrary to the declaration. An FI or RCD protection switch must either be upstream of a charging station or already integrated into it. If this is not the case, the power supply cannot be interrupted in the event of dangerously high fault currents. There is then the risk of injury from electric shock or fire. The absence of such a protective device is therefore absolutely negligent.

Why only now?

As a member of the standards committee for wallboxes, this report does not really surprise me. The question is rather: Why only now? The home country of the manufacturer, Norway, is by no means a developing nation in terms of electromobility. The official Norwegian tourism portal rightly speaks of the "world capital of electric cars".

What is the crux of the matter?

From what we know so far, the products of the Scandinavian company also seem to fail to meet declaration requirements in other cases. It is regrettable that a reputable manufacturer treats the declaration of its products so negligently, bringing the entire industry into disrepute. For years, I have been criticizing that mere CE conformity assessment by self-declaration is worthless unless it is carried out very carefully or, better yet, verified by an external testing body.

This case of apparent deliberate endangerment of users – or sheer ignorance? – must be a wake-up call for the entire industry. It is high time that manufacturers take product and personal safety seriously. Standards are neither ornamental nor a recommendation. They are there to counter potentially life-threatening risks.

As the founder of the Swiss charging station manufacturer Juice Technology and a long-time member of international standards committees for both fixed and mobile wallboxes, making e-mobility safe overall is a heartfelt concern of mine. It is our responsibility as manufacturers to bring safe, sustainable, and durable devices to the market and to offer our customers maximum safety and flexibility at all times.

What does that mean?

It is like everything in life: The best protective device is the one you never need. If you do need it, it must work 100% reliably.