The UK's electric vehicle revolution is accelerating — and EV charging points are now a major capital investment for businesses and local authorities. Protecting that investment, and the people using it, requires careful specification of bollards and barriers. This guide explains why, what to specify, and how much it costs.
The Scale of UK EV Infrastructure
- Over 60,000 public charging connectors across the UK (Zap-Map data, 2024)
- Government's EV Infrastructure Strategy targets 300,000 public charge points by 2030
- Building Regulations (Approved Document S, 2022) require EV charge points in new commercial buildings with 10+ parking spaces
- A typical workplace DC fast charger installation costs £3,000–£10,000 per unit; rapid chargers £15,000–£50,000+
Types of Damage to EV Charging Points
- Vehicle strike: Drivers misjudging proximity when pulling in — the most common damage type; can write off a charge point entirely
- Cable dragging: Vehicles driving over cables left on the ground
- Vandalism: Screen damage, component removal
- Cable theft: EV cable theft has increased significantly — expensive to replace and puts the charge point out of service
- Forklift/delivery vehicle strikes: In commercial settings, heavy vehicle damage can be severe
A typical vehicle strike repair costs £500–£3,000. For a rapid charger, a single strike could mean £5,000–£20,000 in replacement costs. Over a 10-year asset life, unprotected charge points in a busy car park will likely be struck multiple times.
Recommended Bollard Specification for EV Protection
- Diameter: 76mm–114mm CHS steel
- Height above ground: 900mm–1,000mm
- Colour: RAL 1023 Traffic Yellow or Green (to align with EV/sustainability branding); high-visibility reflective banding
- Finish: Hot-dip galvanised + powder coated; concrete-filled for extra mass
- Installation: Core-filled or root-mounted in concrete foundation
Placement
- 2–3 bollards per charging unit — typically one on each side and one at the rear
- Position 600–800mm from the charge point to allow cable connection without obstruction
- Do not place bollards directly in front — users need frontal access
- Accessible EV bays: only side bollards, not front-of-bay protection (to maintain wheelchair access to the charge point per BS 8300)
Cost of EV Charging Point Protection
| Protection Option | Per Charge Point Cost (Supply + Install) |
|---|---|
| 2× standard steel bollards (114mm, powder coated) | £460–£800 |
| 3× bollards (full perimeter protection) | £690–£1,200 |
| Armco barrier behind charge points (per metre) | £65–£150/m installed |
| Raised kerb/wheel stop (per bay) | £80–£200 installed |
| Combination (bollards + wheel stop) | £550–£1,000 per charge point |
Compared to charge point replacement costs of £3,000–£50,000, comprehensive protection at £1,000 per unit represents excellent value. Insurance companies are increasingly factoring physical protection into underwriting for EV infrastructure.
Large-Scale EV Hub Protection
For 10+ charge points, individual bollards can be supplemented with:
- Armco W-beam barrier: Run along the rear of a charger row — £65–£145/m installed
- Polymer impact-absorbing barrier: Modular, energy-absorbing, easily repaired section-by-section — £80–£200/m
- Raised kerb: Prevents vehicle overrun but no side protection — lower cost
Approved Document S: The Regulatory Requirement
Approved Document S (effective June 2022, England) requires:
- New residential buildings with parking: at least one EV charge point per dwelling
- New non-residential buildings with 10+ spaces: at least one charge point per 5 spaces (up to 20% of spaces)
- Major renovation of buildings with 10+ spaces: compliance with above
While ADS doesn't mandate physical protection, the investment required to comply makes protection strongly advisable.
Barriers Co supplies EV charging point bollards across the UK. Browse our bollard range or contact us for an EV protection specification service.