Most sources on charging station checks cover electrical tests and regulation. That work is the responsibility of authorised specialists and follows the applicable regulations and brand standards; it is not the subject of this guide. Yet much of what shapes a driver's experience at a charging point has nothing to do with electricity: a cable left on the ground, an unreadable screen, a bay occupied by another vehicle or a wayfinding sign that cannot be seen at night. The checklist below is designed to record these site conditions regularly and comparably.
The 6-area site checklist
The list follows the six weighted areas of EV Audit30. The numbers in brackets are each area's weight in the score out of 100. The items are not technical tests; they are points to look at on site and record with photos.
1. Safety (25, 5 critical checks): Is the cable or connector lying on the ground or across a walkway? Is the connector seated properly in its holder? Is there any obstacle around the unit that could cause a trip? Is any part of the housing exposed, broken or hanging loose? Is the floor slippery? Non-conformities in this area should be reported the same day.
2. Device integrity (20): Is there impact damage, a crack, a broken cover or a missing part on the housing? Is there visible damage to the cable sheath? Are labels and information panels in place?
3. Function indicators (20): Is the screen on and readable? Are status lights visible? Does the screen show guidance for the user or an error message? These items are judged only from what the user sees, without looking inside the device.
4. User experience (15): Is the bay free and usable, or occupied by another vehicle? Can the wayfinding sign be seen from the station entrance? Is the light fitting housing intact and is the area visible after dark? Does the cable reach the vehicle comfortably?
5. Cleanliness and surroundings (10): Is the floor clean, or are there oil stains, litter or leaves? Are the unit housing and screen surface clean? Does any part of the surroundings look neglected?
6. Brand standard (10): Do the logo, colours and graphics meet the brand standard? Is there peeling vinyl, faded colour or out-of-date information?
Photo set: the same six shots every visit
A checklist is only as useful as its records are comparable. Take the same photo set at every visit:
- Front
- Right
- Left
- Screen
- Cable
- Bay
Store photos with date, time and location. If there is a finding, add a close-up and a short note. Shots from the same angles make it easy to see how one point changes over time and how points differ from each other.
Score and action thresholds
The score, calculated with each area's weight, comes out of 100 and sets the next step:
- 90 and above, Compliant: the point meets the standard; periodic checks continue.
- 75–89, Follow-up: improvement is needed; findings go on a follow-up list.
- Below 75, Action: priority intervention is planned.
Independently of the score, each finding's severity is assessed. Critical findings are reported instantly; major findings are actioned within 24 hours. This way a single safety issue is handled without delay, even at a point with a high overall score.
Remote monitoring versus site checks
Many charging networks monitor their devices remotely. Remote monitoring shows the device's technical state; a site check makes the physical conditions drivers actually meet visible. A unit can look healthy in software while its bay is occupied, its cable is on the ground or its wayfinding sign has fallen over. The two methods do not replace each other; they complement each other.
From finding to work order
A checklist ends with recording the finding; the real value is closing it. A healthy flow works like this:
- The finding is recorded with a photo and given a priority.
- Physical findings (housing cleanliness, floor, wayfinding, light fitting housing) become work orders with an owner and due date.
- Findings needing electrical intervention are passed to authorised specialists.
- When the work is done, a closure record is created with an after photo.
- The same item is reassessed at the next check.
Printable short list
A summary list for quick use on site:
- Cable and connector off the ground, in the holder
- No damage, cracks or missing parts on the housing
- Screen on and readable, status lights visible
- Bay free and usable
- Wayfinding sign visible and intact
- Light fitting housing intact
- Floor and unit housing clean
- Logo, colours and graphics meet the brand standard
- Six photos taken: front, right, left, screen, cable, bay
How BİGEL does it
EV Audit30 produces a site score out of 100 for charging points, with 30 standard checks and 6 weighted areas. Each visit takes the photo set of front, right, left, screen, cable and bay; safety non-conformities trigger a same-day alert and major findings are actioned within 24 hours.
Physical findings become work orders under EV Charge Care: charger housing, floor, wayfinding and light fittings are handled by regional teams and closed with an after photo. Electrical maintenance is coordinated with certified specialists. A pilot starts with 10 sites, 2 weeks and 2 rounds.
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