Your Statutory Rights vs Manufacturer Warranties
When you buy an EV charger in Ireland, you have two layers of protection: manufacturer warranty (voluntary) and statutory consumer rights (legally mandated). Understanding both layers is important because manufacturer warranties are typically limited, while your statutory rights under Irish and EU law go further than most people realise.
Manufacturer Warranties: What Brands Offer
Most EV charger manufacturers offer standard warranties as follows:
The 3-year manufacturer warranty is now the industry standard for home EV chargers. This covers manufacturing defects — failures caused by faults in materials or workmanship that arise in normal use.
What manufacturer warranties typically exclude:
- Damage caused by incorrect installation (this is why Safe Electric certification matters)
- Physical damage (accidental damage, vandalism)
- Damage from power surges not covered by the installed surge protection
- Normal wear and tear on cables and connectors (particularly relevant for tethered chargers)
- Failures caused by software misuse or unauthorised firmware modifications
- Damage from flooding or unusually severe weather events
Irish Consumer Rights: The Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act
Beyond the manufacturer warranty, you have rights under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 (as amended by the Consumer Rights Act 2022, implementing EU Directive 2019/771). Under this legislation, when you buy an EV charger from an Irish retailer or installer:
The charger must be:
- Of merchantable quality — fit for the purpose that goods of this kind are ordinarily used for, taking into account the price paid and any description given
- Fit for a particular purpose — if you told the seller what you needed it for (e.g., charging a specific vehicle, outdoor installation in a coastal location), it must be suitable for that purpose
- As described — it must match any description given (brochure, spec sheet, verbal claim)
Duration of statutory protection (post-2022): Under the EU-derived Consumer Rights Act 2022, statutory conformity rights now apply for 2 years from delivery of goods. During this period:
- The retailer (not the manufacturer) is responsible for remedying defects
- Within the first 30 days: full right to reject and receive a full refund
- 30 days to 12 months: presumed the defect existed at delivery (you do not have to prove it)
- 12 to 24 months: conformity rights remain but you may need to show the defect is not from misuse
This statutory protection runs alongside — not instead of — the manufacturer’s warranty. If the manufacturer’s warranty is more generous, use that. If your statutory rights are more useful, use those.
The Installation Element: Statutory Rights on Services
The installation of the EV charger is a service under Irish consumer law. Under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, services must be provided with proper care and diligence, using sound materials and competent workmanship.
If the installation is defective — cable not properly secured, wrong cable size, incorrect RCD protection — you have a right to have the installer remedy the defect at no cost to you. For Safe Electric certified installations, the Safe Electric certification itself provides additional evidence that the work should have been carried out to the required standard.
Tip: Always keep your Safe Electric REC, the installer’s invoice, and the charger documentation. These form the paper trail you need if a dispute arises.
What to Do If Your EV Charger Fails
Within 30 Days of Installation
Contact your retailer or installer (not the manufacturer) in the first instance. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, within 30 days of delivery you have the right to:
- A full repair at no cost
- A replacement unit
- A full refund
State clearly in writing (email is fine) that you are exercising your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 and that the goods are not of conformity.
30 Days to 3 Years
Contact the manufacturer’s warranty support for the charger unit. For installation defects, contact the installer. Document the fault with photos and written description. Request repair or replacement under the warranty.
For well-known brands operating in Ireland:
- Easee: Support via easee.com or the Irish distributor
- Wallbox: Support via eu.wallbox.com or the Irish distributor
- MyEnergi: Support via myenergi.com, strong UK/Ireland community support forums
- Ohme: Support via ohme-ev.com
Keep all correspondence in writing. If the manufacturer initially denies a warranty claim, respond citing your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
3 Years to 6 Years (Limitation Period)
Your statutory rights do not expire at 3 years — the legal limitation period for contract claims in Ireland is 6 years under the Statute of Limitations 1957. However, after the 2-year statutory conformity period, the burden of proof shifts to you to demonstrate that the defect existed at delivery rather than arising from your use.
For expensive charger failures in years 3–6, it may be worth getting an independent electrical engineer’s report confirming whether the failure mode suggests a manufacturing defect. This report can support a claim against the manufacturer or retailer.
Disputes: Where to Go
If a retailer, installer, or manufacturer refuses a legitimate warranty claim:
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC): The CCPC provides consumer advice and can mediate disputes. Their website (ccpc.ie) has a guide to your rights and a complaint process.
Small Claims Court: For claims under €2,000, the Small Claims Court (available via Courts.ie) is an inexpensive and accessible route for consumers. Filing fee is €25. No solicitor required.
European Consumer Centre: If the manufacturer is based in another EU country (common for EV charger brands), the European Consumer Centre Ireland (eccireland.ie) can assist with cross-border disputes.
Charge-back via Credit Card: If you paid by credit card and the seller/installer is unresponsive, your card issuer may be able to initiate a charge-back for goods or services not delivered as described. Particularly useful in the first few months.
Protecting Your Rights: Practical Steps
Buy from an established retailer or reputable installer — dealing with a company that intends to still be trading in 3 years is the practical foundation of warranty protection
Keep all documentation: receipt, invoice, Safe Electric REC, charger data sheet, warranty card, and any correspondence
Register the charger with the manufacturer if they offer a registration program — this starts the warranty clock correctly and ensures they have your contact details for safety recalls
Report problems promptly — do not wait years before raising a warranty claim; the sooner you report, the stronger your position
Use the charger correctly — manufacturer warranties are void if the charger is used outside its rated parameters or in ways contradicting the installation instructions
Extended Warranties: Are They Worth Buying?
Some installers and retailers offer extended warranties to 5 years. At €50–€150 for a 2-year extension (covering years 3–5 of ownership), this can be worthwhile given that:
- Most component failures in electronic equipment occur in the first few years (covered by standard warranty) or after 7–10 years (beyond extended warranties)
- Your statutory rights cover you for 6 years through the limitation period anyway
Extended warranties are most worth considering if your installation is in a particularly harsh environment (coastal, exposed to salt air) where accelerated corrosion could cause early failure.
