Home Charging Safety Guidelines for Employer-Owned EVs

Worksafe in New Zealand strongly discourages allowing a staff member with an employer-owned vehicle to charge the vehicle at home using Mode 2 charging with an in-cable control and protection device (IC-CPD).

This is because the system relies on the safety and integrity of the home's wiring, something that the employer has little control over.

When home charging a vehicle used for business purposes is considered appropriate, use the following procedure:

1. Install a dedicated charging station at the home for charging the vehicle.
2. Conduct a wiring and earthing system check. Before the installation of the charging station, verify the condition of the home's wiring and earthing system to ensure safety.
3. Use a dedicated final sub-circuit. The charging station should be connected to a dedicated final sub-circuit, protected by a type B circuit breaker (CB) or a residual current device (RCD/RCBO).
4. Implement load management. For charging stations supplying more than 20 A, load management systems should be installed to prevent overloading the home's electrical system.
5. Charging should take place in a garage. The garage should be considered a workplace for the purposes of charging the vehicle and the risk assessed for the user and also the other residents.
6. Annual safety testing. Both the charging station and the RCD/RCBO should be tested for its safety annually.
7. Reporting and remedial actions. Employees must report any electric shocks from anywhere in the house and immediately stop using the charger until the cause is investigated and remedied.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of EV technology, adhering to these best practices not only protects your employees but also contributes to a safer and more sustainable future.

At Smartrak, we’re committed to supporting businesses in their transition to electric vehicles with the right tools and knowledge to make informed decisions. Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website to learn more about our EV fleet management solutions.

Smartrak wishes to thank Cam McKinnon from We.EV for his guidance in writing this article.