Charger maintenance and skills shortage threaten EV charging infrastructure: Fluke survey

A new Fluke survey released reveals that while 68 per cent of respondents feel the electric vehicle (EV) industry is behind the adoption curve, 92 per cent remain confident that current standards and regulations will pave the way for long-term success in EV charging infrastructure. The Fluke commissioned survey gleaned insights from more than 400 EV charger original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and technicians in the UK, USA, Germany and the Netherlands. Survey results also demonstrated that despite incentives throughout the US and Europe, and with strong consumer demand driving EV adoption, 47 per cent of respondents believe the industry is 25–50 per cent behind the adoption curve, while 17 per cent believe it to be more than 50 per cent behind. Notably, 40 per cent of U.S. respondents predict that widespread charger availability won’t meet demand for up to seven years, or longer. The survey identified charger maintenance as a top concern for the future of the EV industry, with 36 per cent of respondents identifying it as a key challenge. Adding to the complexity, 44 per cent pointed to inoperable chargers as one of the biggest hurdles facing the EV charging infrastructure, closely followed by 40 per cent who cited software incompatibility as a significant obstacle. Compounding these challenges, 88 per cent of respondents highlighted a critical skills gap within the EV workforce, signaling an urgent need for training and development to support the industry’s growth. “I’m encouraged that while 68 per cent of respondents recognize a gap in industry adoption, the survey highlights a strong sense of confidence as industry leaders take proactive steps to address critical challenges,” said Alex Chillman, Fluke Vice President of Innovation. “To pave the way for sustained industry growth and innovation, we must prioritize comprehensive worker training and ensure the availability of a reliable, well-maintained charging infrastructure. Charger maintenance also remains a significant concern and addressing it will be essential to meeting the growing demand for electric vehicles.” The survey results underscore Fluke’s call for greater emphasis on proactive maintenance strategies and workforce development to address the skills gap and meet the growing demand for reliable EV charging infrastructure. Respondents identified key factors critical to a successful EV charging strategy, with 32 per cent highlighting predictive maintenance and 31 per cent citing artificial intelligence as essential for optimizing performance. Additionally, resilient infrastructure design, remote monitoring and diagnostics and the adoption of standardized best practices were identified as vital for ensuring the reliability, efficiency and adaptability of the evolving EV charging ecosystem. “The EV industry is at a defining moment—growth is accelerating, and the demand for reliability has never been higher,” said Fluke Chief Product Officer Vineet Thuvara. “Our research reveals a critical need to close maintenance gaps, upskill technicians and ensure every charging point delivers peak performance. As PDMs (Power Distribution Modules) expand, power quality at every node becomes mission-critical. The path to a sustainable future depends on a smarter, more resilient infrastructure.”