Imagine pulling up to a charger that appears functional, only to find it offline when you need it most. Or perhaps you drive past a charger that seems out of service, but it's actually working just fine. These frustrating situations are common for EV drivers dealing with unreliable chargers.
Let’s break down these issues—what we call ghost chargers, zombie stations, and dead end chargers—and explore how ChargerHelp is addressing them to improve EV charger reliability.
Ghost Chargers: The Invisible Problem
One of the biggest challenges for EV drivers is pulling up to a charger that looks available on the app, only to find that it’s completely offline when you arrive.
The Problem:
Inaccurate software reporting is often the cause of ghost chargers. The app shows a charger as online when, in reality, it’s malfunctioning or not connected to the network. Drivers are left stranded without a reliable charging option. According to our recent Reliability Report, up to 16% of chargers report a false status, creating a real headache for EV drivers.
Our Solution:
At ChargerHelp, we tackle ghost chargers with our Reliability as a Service (RaaS) solution. Using our EMPWR software platform, we provide real-time diagnostics and accurate status reporting, ensuring that if a charger shows up as available, it really is. No more guessing or frustration.
Zombie Stations: Missed Opportunities
While ghost chargers leave drivers stranded, zombie stations are chargers that appear offline but are actually fully functional. Drivers pass them by, missing out on a perfectly good charging opportunity.
The Problem:
Zombie stations are the result of delayed or inaccurate data updates in charging apps. A perfectly good charger gets marked as “dead,” leaving it ignored by drivers in need of a charge. These errors waste time and increase frustration.
How We Fix It:
ChargerHelp prevents these missed opportunities with our real-time monitoring system. Our EMPWR platform ensures that status updates are quick and accurate, so drivers always know when a charger is ready for use. With our solution, no charging station goes overlooked.
Dead End Chargers: The Hidden Failure
Perhaps the most frustrating experience for EV drivers is encountering what we call a dead end charger—stations that look fine but fail to deliver power when you plug in.
The Problem:
Dead end chargers can result from a variety of mechanical and technical issues, such as damaged cables, malfunctioning connectors, or failed payment systems. These problems often go unnoticed until a driver tries to charge, leading to an unpleasant and unexpected experience.
Our Solution:
ChargerHelp eliminates dead end chargers through proactive maintenance and real-time monitoring. Our team of trained technicians, backed by the EMPWR diagnostics platform, ensures that chargers are kept in top condition. By addressing issues before they cause downtime, we make sure that every EV driver can charge with confidence.
RaaS: Ensuring Reliable Charging
Reliability as a Service (RaaS) is ChargerHelp’s comprehensive solution to solving the issues of ghost chargers, zombie stations, and dead end chargers. By combining skilled field technicians with cutting-edge technology, RaaS ensures that charging stations stay online and operational. Here’s how:
Real-Time Monitoring: Our EMPWR platform powers real-time diagnostics, allowing us to detect and resolve issues as they arise.
Predictive Maintenance: We identify potential problems before they cause downtime, ensuring proactive maintenance.
Unlimited Corrective Maintenance: If something does go wrong, our team of technicians is dispatched to fix it, minimizing any downtime.
With RaaS, ChargerHelp takes the complexity out of managing EV charging stations, offering real-world solutions to keep chargers running smoothly.
EMPWR: The Technology Behind RaaS
At the core of RaaS is our EMPWR platform, ChargerHelp’s purpose-built platform designed to manage EVSE operations. EMPWR combines real-time data from charging stations with field insights from technicians to provide a complete, accurate view of charger health.
Real-Time Diagnostics: EMPWR uses field data and Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) error codes to diagnose issues and resolve them quickly.
Predictive Analytics: By analyzing trends and data patterns, EMPWR identifies potential issues before they escalate, keeping stations online longer.
Comprehensive Reporting: EMPWR generates detailed reports on uptime and station performance, giving station owners full transparency and peace of mind.
Reliable EV Charging for a Better Experience
Don’t let ghost chargers, zombie stations, or dead end chargers disrupt your EV journey. With ChargerHelp’s Reliability as a Service, powered by EMPWR, we ensure uptime and a reliable charging experience. Whether it's predictive maintenance, real-time diagnostics, or corrective repairs, ChargerHelp has your EV charging needs covered.
Download our latest Reliability Report to learn more about how ChargerHelp is improving EV charger reliability and keeping drivers on the road.