Protecting chargers from vehicle damage in a busy yard
A charger reversed into is a charger out of service. Bollards, kerbs and sensible placement keep expensive units — and your uptime — safe.
Last updated 15 August 2026
In a busy yard full of large vehicles manoeuvring in the dark, a charger is a fragile, expensive obstacle. Protecting it is a small, cheap piece of design that prevents a recurring, costly problem.
Why it matters more than it sounds
A charger that’s been reversed into is a charger out of service — lost uptime, a repair bill, and potentially a vehicle that can’t charge that night. On a fleet that now depends on charging, that’s an operational hit, not just cosmetic damage. Physical protection pays for itself the first time it saves a unit.
Simple, effective measures
The basics go a long way: bollards in front of and around units to take a knock instead of the charger; raised kerbs or wheel stops to prevent over-run; clear road markings and signage so drivers know where charge points are, especially at night; and good lighting so bays are visible. Positioning units slightly out of the main swept path, where the yard layout allows, avoids the risk altogether.
Build it in, don’t bolt it on
These measures are cheap at design time and awkward to retrofit around a live installation. Include protection in the civils design from the start, alongside drainage and access. It’s the kind of unglamorous detail that separates a depot that runs smoothly from one that’s forever nursing damaged equipment.
Protection also feeds your wider resilience: keeping chargers physically intact is the first, cheapest layer of keeping the fleet on the road.