EV DRIVERS have been warned to check their charging cables to avoid being left stranded by the side of the road.
The Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards has recently recalled some charging cables that have been sold on Amazon Marketplace and eBay.
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Over recent years some drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) have started buying chargers from unverified sellers.
Accident awareness charity Electrical Safety First has found that two charging cables sold online presented a risk of electric shocks and overheating, reports GB news.
The cables could also fail to charge EVs properly. This could leave drivers stranded by the side of the road.
Buying from reputable sellers can help electric car owners avoid expensive repair costs and protect their vehicle.
A low quality cable could potentially damage an EVs battery, which typically costs around £5,378.43 in the UK.
Drivers can buy fully certified charging equipment from retailers like Halfords, which are fully accredited and will not cause unwanted issues for drivers.
Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Leasing Options, called on motorists to always check they are using above standard products.
He said: “If you have bought an EV charging cable from an online marketplace and are worried it could be unsafe, there are a couple of warning signs you should watch out for.
“Charging equipment should have CE marking or have UKCA marking according to the Government website.
“CE marking is a label that confirms that the product has met the EU health and safety standards whereas UKCA marking is a marking used only for England, Scotland, and Wales and confirms the product has met UK health and safety standards.”
