Where to report a broken public charger and get help fast

If a public charger isn't working, the fastest route is to contact the network operator directly through their app or website — not the car manufacturer or your electricity supplier. The major networks in Ireland are ESB ecars, Eir eMobility, and Instavolts, and each has its own fault-reporting system. Most apps let you report a fault in seconds and will show you the status of nearby chargers while you wait.

For ESB ecars chargers, open the ESB ecars app, select the broken charger, and tap "Report a fault". ESB aims to respond within 24 hours for rapid chargers and 48 hours for standard chargers, though response times vary by location. If you're stranded, call ESB directly on 1800 40 50 60 — they can tell you the nearest working charger and sometimes arrange a tow if you're genuinely stuck.

Eir eMobility and Instavolts have similar processes through their apps. Keep a screenshot of the fault report and the timestamp — you'll need it if you want to claim compensation or dispute a charge you couldn't use. Some networks offer credit to your account if a charger fails during your session, but you have to report it within a set window, usually 48 hours.

Key Takeaways

  • Report faults to the network operator (ESB ecars, Eir eMobility, or Instavolts) through their app first, not to your car manufacturer or electricity company.
  • Home charging problems usually stem from your house electrics or the wall box itself, and an electrician registered with Safe Electric Ireland can diagnose the issue for €80–€150.
  • If your wall box stops working within the warranty period, contact the installer or manufacturer — most offer 2–5 year warranties on hardware.
  • Slow charging at home often means your wall box is set to a lower power level; check the box settings or app before calling for help.
  • Public charger downtime is common; always have a backup charger location saved in your phone and plan journeys with a 20% buffer on range.

Diagnosing a home wall box that won't charge

Before you call anyone, check three things: whether the wall box lights are on, whether your car is actually plugged in properly, and whether the car's own charging port is clean. A surprising number of charging failures are straightforward a loose connection or dirt in the port. Wipe the car's charging socket with a dry cloth and try again.

If the wall box itself has no lights or shows an error code, check your home's electrics. Go to your fuse box and look for a tripped circuit breaker or RCD (residual current device) — these often trip when a wall box first powers up if there's a fault in the installation. If a breaker has tripped, switch it back on. If it trips again when ready, do not keep resetting it; call an electrician instead.

If the wall box has power but your car won't charge, open the wall box's app or control panel (if it has one) and check the power setting. Many wall boxes default to 6 amps or 10 amps to avoid overloading older house wiring. If it's set low, you can increase it — but only if your house electrics can handle it. Your electricity bill or the paperwork from installation will show your home's maximum capacity. If you're unsure, an electrician can advise you safely.

Getting a wall box repaired or replaced

If the wall box is less than two years old, contact the installer or manufacturer first — most hardware carries a 2–5 year warranty that covers faults. You'll need your purchase receipt and the serial number (usually on a sticker on the box itself). The manufacturer can often diagnose the problem remotely and may send a replacement unit or arrange a technician visit at no cost.

If the warranty has expired or the box is older, you'll need an electrician. Contact an electrician registered with Safe Electric Ireland — they're may have access to to work on EV charging installations and can diagnose whether the fault is in the wall box, the wiring, or your home's electrics. A diagnostic visit typically costs €80–€150 and takes 30–60 minutes. If the wall box needs replacing, expect to pay €400–€800 for a new unit plus installation labour.

Some electricity suppliers offer support for wall box faults as part of their EV packages. Check your contract or call your supplier to ask whether they cover repairs or can recommend a registered electrician. A few suppliers have partnerships with installers and may offer discounted repair rates.

Slow charging at home — why it happens and how to fix it

Slow charging is usually not a fault; it's the wall box running at a lower power setting than you expect. Most wall boxes can deliver 7 kW (single-phase) or 11 kW (three-phase), but they often ship set to 6 amps (roughly 1.4 kW) to be safe on older wiring. If your car is taking 12+ hours to charge from empty, the wall box is almost certainly running at this low setting.

Check the wall box's app or control panel and look for a power or amperage setting. If it shows 6 amps, 10 amps, or similar, you can increase it — but only if your home's electrics support it. Your electricity supplier can tell you your home's maximum capacity (usually 40 amps or 63 amps for domestic properties). If you have a 63-amp supply and no other heavy appliances running, you can safely increase the wall box to 32 amps. If you have a 40-amp supply, stay at 16–20 amps maximum.

If you're unsure about your home's capacity, ask an electrician to check during your next service. Pushing a wall box beyond your home's safe limit can trip your main breaker repeatedly and damage your wiring. It's not worth the risk for an extra hour of charging speed.

What to do if you're stranded without a working charger

If your car's battery is too low to reach the next charger, contact the network operator's roadside support line. ESB ecars, Eir eMobility, and Instavolts all have emergency numbers in their apps. They can arrange a tow to a working charger or, in some cases, to a petrol station with a rapid charger nearby. Towing is usually free if you're a member of their roadside scheme, but check your membership terms.

If you're not a member of a roadside scheme, call the AA or the RAC — both offer EV towing and can reach you in most populated areas within 45 minutes to 2 hours. Costs vary but typically range from €80–€150 for a local tow. This is why many EV owners join a roadside scheme when they buy the car; the annual fee (usually €50–€100) pays for itself after one emergency call.

To avoid this situation, plan journeys with a 20% battery buffer — don't rely on reaching a charger with less than 20% charge remaining. Apps like A Better Route Planner show working chargers in real time and let you filter by network and charger type. Save two or three backup charger locations on your phone before you leave home.

Charger compatibility issues between your car and the network

Ireland's public chargers use two main connector types: Type 2 (the standard in Europe) and CCS (for rapid charging). Most EVs sold in Ireland have both connectors, but older models or imports may have only Type 2. Check your car's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm which connectors your car accepts.

If you arrive at a charger and your car's port doesn't match the connector, you cannot use that charger — no adapter exists that makes them compatible. This is rare on modern cars but can happen if you've bought an older model or a car imported from outside Europe. Before you buy an EV, check the charger networks' maps to see which connector types are available in your area. If most chargers near you are CCS-only and your car has only Type 2, you may struggle with rapid charging on longer journeys.

Some chargers also require a specific app or payment card to unlock. If you arrive at a charger and the app won't unlock it, check that you're using the correct network's app — ESB ecars chargers won't unlock through the Eir eMobility app, for example. If you have the right app and it still won't unlock, report the fault through the app and move to another charger.

Preventing charging problems before they start

Register your wall box with the manufacturer and keep the warranty documents safe. Most manufacturers send software updates that fix charging bugs, and you'll only receive them if you're registered. Check for updates every three months through the wall box's app.

Keep your car's charging port clean and dry. After each charge, wipe the port with a dry cloth and leave the cover open for a few minutes to let moisture evaporate. Corrosion inside the port is rare but can prevent charging — if you notice green or white deposits, take the car to a dealer for cleaning.

On public chargers, take a photo of the charger's ID number and your car's odometer reading before you start charging. If the charger fails mid-session, you'll have proof of when and where it happened. Most networks credit your account within 5–7 working days if you report a fault with evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge my EV at a standard 13-amp household socket?

Yes, but very slowly — a standard socket delivers about 2.3 kW, so a full charge takes 20–30 hours depending on your car's battery size. It's fine for occasional top-ups or overnight charging if you don't have a wall box, but it's not practical for regular use. A wall box is much faster and safer for daily charging.

What happens if a public charger takes my money but doesn't charge my car?

Report the fault through the network's app within 48 hours with a screenshot of the transaction. Most networks refund the charge within 5–7 working days. If the network doesn't refund you, contact your credit card company or bank — they can dispute the charge on your behalf.

Is it normal for my wall box to make a buzzing sound when charging?

A quiet hum is normal, but a loud buzzing or clicking sound suggests a fault in the electrics. Stop charging when ready and call an electrician. Do not ignore it — it can indicate a loose connection or a failing component that could damage your car's battery or your home's wiring.

Can I use a rapid charger every day without damaging my battery?

Rapid chargers (50 kW and above) generate heat that can degrade your battery slightly faster than slower charging, but modern EVs are designed to handle daily rapid charging. If you use rapid chargers more than once a week, your battery may lose 1–2% capacity per year instead of the typical 0.5–1%. For daily commuting, a home wall box is gentler on your battery and much cheaper per kWh.

Why does my car show a different range after charging than the charger's display showed?

The charger displays energy delivered (in kWh), but your car calculates range based on your recent driving patterns and weather. If you've been driving in cold weather or at high speed, the car's range estimate will be lower than the charger's calculation suggests. This is normal and not a fault.