Electric vehicles (EVs) are a guaranteed part of our future. With the UK planning for net zero by 2050 and the elimination of new gasoline vehicles by 2030, the importance of a reliable EV charge point infrastructure is greater than ever. Whether you are a charge point owner or an EV driver, monitoring the status and performance of charge points is crucial to ensure efficient and hassle-free charging experiences. In this article, we will explore how to monitor EV charge points.
- The Current EV Charge Point Landscape
- Why Monitor EV Charge Points?
- How to Monitor EV Charge Points?
- What Does EV Charge Point Monitoring Entail?
- What Charge Point Parameters are Monitored?
- Beyond Charging: Integrated Monitoring for Peace of Mind
- How Does EV Charge Point Monitoring Work?
- EV Charge Point Monitoring with RMS
- Next Steps
The Current EV Charge Point Landscape
The UK’s public charging network has expanded rapidly, reaching over 86,000 public charge points by late 2025, according to industry reports. This massive growth has placed a spotlight on consistent charger availability. While the initial goal was simply expansion, the focus has pivoted sharply towards reliability. This shift is solidified by the new Public Charge Point Regulations (PCPR), which mandate that operators of rapid chargers must ensure high reliability to combat driver range anxiety and frustration, making professional monitoring a commercial necessity rather than just an operational advantage.
Why Monitor EV Charge Points?
There are many reasons to monitor EV charge points which all circle back to their efficiency and user experience. One of the biggest pain points associated with EV charging raised by owners and users alike is broken or out-of-use charge points. A UK government study showed that 1 in 25 charge points were out of use. Monitoring EV charge points can help reduce charge point downtime and the time it takes to fix and maintain them. More reasons to monitor EV charge points include:
Improve EV Fleet Productivity
If a site uses its EV charge points for fleet or employee use, then remote monitoring of the charge points can contribute towards a more productive workforce, due to less downtime and more efficient use. For commercial operators, particularly those managing logistical and delivery services, the cost of charging downtime is more than just lost electricity; it is estimated that time lost to charging typically costs fleets up to eight times more than the actual power consumed annually. Remote charge point monitoring helps mitigate this substantial financial burden by providing immediate diagnostics, enabling faster resolution, and improving overall fleet productivity. This is especially relevant in sectors like industrial warehouses and logistics where vehicles operate on strict schedules.
Loss of Revenue Through System Downtime
EV charge points provides opportunities for recurring revenue, as EV drivers pay to charge their vehicles. However, this means that any out-of-order charge point represents a loss in revenue, as well as customer dissatisfaction. Minimising downtime using charge point monitoring is therefore important, as it directly impacts revenue and profits.
Reduce Operation & Maintenance Costs
Running and operating EV charge point systems can be costly, especially when energy costs are sky-high. However, operational and maintenance costs are heavily made up of labour and transport fees, which can be reduced with the implementation of remote monitoring. Instead of a physical maintenance visit, any issues can be seen and the majority of the time dealt with remotely, saving on engineer labour and transport costs.
Remote monitoring platforms, which often incorporate advanced techniques like smart building monitoring, leverage protocols such as SNMP monitoring to diagnose communication faults instantly. This proactive approach ensures that an operator in the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) can attempt a remote fix or isolate the issue before dispatching a costly physical response. This capability extends to managing power fluctuations or potential overloads, a crucial part of maintaining expensive infrastructure and reducing long-term operational costs.
Improve Charge Point Availability
The fewer charge points that are out-of-order, the more charge points that are available to use. This, therefore, allows for greater workplace or fleet productivity or more revenue to be driven.
How to Monitor EV Charge Points?
The most effective way to monitor EV charge points is to implement remote monitoring. Remote monitoring is carried out by a third-party, professional monitoring company who have the capabilities to connect to a charge point system and continuously monitor it for various parameters or triggers. If a charge point were to go offline or not be working efficiently, the monitoring company would receive an instant notification and they can then carry out the relevant action, whether that be trying to fix the issue remotely, or contacting the relevant site key holder.
What Does EV Charge Point Monitoring Entail?
EV charge point monitoring involves connecting the remote monitoring company’s alarm receiving centre (ARC) to the site’s EV charge point system so that they can receive the data signals from the chargers. Once connected, EV charge point monitoring can aid both charge point users and owners.
Accessibility & Availability
EV charge point monitoring allows charge point owners to ensure their charging infrastructure is available and accessible to drivers. Real-time monitoring helps identify any issues or faults that may prevent EV drivers from using the charge points, allowing for timely maintenance and repairs.
Optimal Performance
Remote monitoring allows for performance tracking of each charger, by monitoring parameters such as charging speed, session duration and energy consumption. Owners can therefore identify and address any inefficiencies or malfunctions that may affect charging speed or reliability.
User Experience
EV charge point monitoring allows a better user experience for EV drivers as they are less likely to come across an out-of-order charge point. This high level of service is critical for high-traffic environments, such as retail parks and showrooms, where reliability is directly linked to customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Fault Detection & Maintenance
Real-time remote monitoring allows for the early detection of faults or malfunctions in EV charge points. It’s a proactive approach and enables charge point owners to address issues promptly, reducing downtime and maximising the availability of charging infrastructure.
Furthermore, advanced monitoring systems are beginning to integrate AI-powered diagnostics that can predict failures before they occur by analysing performance trends and subtle anomalies. This level of insight transitions the service from reactive response to true predictive maintenance.
What Charge Point Parameters are Monitored?
The charge point parameters that can be monitored by a remote monitoring company can vary based on the needs of the customer. However, the below are key parameters often monitored to ensure efficient, working charge points:
- Max Power Output
- Energy Consumption
- EVSE Connector Status
- Charging Sessions
- Charge Pont Connectivity
- Utilisation Rate
Beyond Charging: Integrated Monitoring for Peace of Mind
While EV charge point monitoring focuses on the charger itself, the highest value for site owners often comes from integrating this data with broader non-security monitoring services. This comprehensive approach allows the monitoring team to manage the entire charging environment. For example, they can monitor the environmental factors that impact charger performance, such as overheating or flood risk, or even manage restricted areas via remote site access control, ensuring only authorised personnel can reach maintenance areas.
For businesses with large infrastructure investments, this integration offers a single point of management and risk reduction, ensuring all critical assets are protected and efficiently managed.
How Does EV Charge Point Monitoring Work?
Firstly, you’ll need to choose a reliable monitoring company that has the capability to monitor your EV charge points. The monitoring company will connect to your charge points in order to collect and transmit the necessary data. The required parameters will be set, monitoring software may be installed and the system connected to an internet connection for seamless remote monitoring.
If a certain parameter is triggered, a notification will be instantly sent to the monitoring operatives. They will then look into the issue and carry out the necessary action. This may be remotely fixing the issue, contacting the relevant keyholder or organising a maintenance visit. This response framework is often supported by professional call handling services, ensuring that issues or customer support requests are handled efficiently 24/7, greatly improving facility management efficiency. This comprehensive approach is part of why 24/7 monitoring improves efficiency in facility management across all asset types.
EV Charge Point Monitoring with RMS
Monitoring EV charge points is essential for ensuring their availability, optimising charging experiences, detecting faults, and maintaining efficient and reliable charging infrastructure.
At RMS, we provide a robust EV charge point monitoring service that supports the health, safety and efficiency of your site’s EV charge points, plus provides a seamless and hassle-free charging experience for EV drivers.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in EV charge point monitoring or are looking for a new monitoring contract, get in touch. The team will be happy to talk you through your options and discuss your site needs.
Call us on 0330 002 1149 or via our online form.
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