Step-by-step operational procedures for cleaning EV charging stations, including pre-service preparation, execution protocols, and post-service verification.

Pre-Service Preparation

Equipment and Materials Checklist

Cleaning supplies:

Microfiber cloths (minimum 6 per site)
Isopropyl alcohol (70% concentration) in spray bottle
pH-neutral detergent solution
Soft-bristle brush for textured surfaces
Squeegee for large flat surfaces
Trash bags (30-gallon capacity)

Safety equipment:

Safety glasses
Nitrile gloves
Caution signage and traffic cones
First aid kit
Emergency contact information card

Documentation tools:

Mobile device with CleanShift app installed
Backup camera (if primary device fails)
Site-specific checklist (digital or printed)

Site Assessment

Upon arrival, conduct 360-degree visual inspection before beginning work:

Identify active charging sessions (vehicles connected)
Note visible damage or vandalism requiring escalation
Check for electrical hazards (exposed wiring, damaged conduit, water intrusion)
Assess weather conditions (temperature, wind, precipitation)
Verify safe working area (adequate lighting, no trip hazards)

Safety halt conditions: If electrical hazards, severe weather, or unsafe site conditions identified, do not proceed with cleaning. Notify supervisor immediately and document conditions photographically.

Pre-Service Photography

Capture baseline condition photos before cleaning begins:

Front view (full equipment and 5-foot pavement radius)
Rear view (cable management and back panel)
Left side view
Right side view
Close-up of equipment serial number plate
Close-ups of any contamination, damage, or maintenance issues

Photos must include GPS metadata and timestamp. Upload to CleanShift platform immediately after capture to establish service start time.

Cleaning Execution Sequence

Step 1: Perimeter and Pavement (5-10 minutes)

Objective: Remove trash, debris, and standing water from charging area

Police 10-foot radius around equipment for trash and debris
Empty trash receptacles if present; replace liner
Remove leaves, branches, and organic debris from pavement
Squeegee standing water away from equipment base
Inspect pavement for oil stains or fluid spills requiring degreaser

Edge case: If biohazard contamination (blood, human waste, medical sharps) discovered, halt cleaning immediately. Cordon area and request specialized biohazard response team.

Step 2: Equipment Enclosure Exterior (10-15 minutes)

Objective: Clean powder-coated enclosure surfaces and remove contaminants

Apply pH-neutral detergent solution to microfiber cloth (never spray directly on equipment)
Wipe enclosure surfaces from top to bottom in overlapping strokes
Pay particular attention to high-touch areas (door handles, access panels)
Remove graffiti, stickers, or adhesive residue using approved solvent
Clean ventilation louvers and air intake screens with soft brush
Wipe dry with clean microfiber cloth to prevent water spotting

Critical safety note: Do not open electrical enclosures or access panels. External cleaning only unless qualified electrical worker present.

Step 3: Touchscreen and User Interface (5-8 minutes)

Objective: Restore screen clarity and payment terminal function

Apply isopropyl alcohol to microfiber cloth (never spray directly on screen)
Wipe screen in circular motions, working from center outward
Clean payment card reader slot with manufacturer-approved cleaning card
Wipe RFID reader surface with alcohol-dampened cloth
Test screen responsiveness by touching all four corners and center
Verify payment terminal displays ready status

Quality threshold: Screen must be 95% free of visible smudges, streaks, or residue. If screen damage (cracks, delamination, pixel failure) observed, document photographically and escalate to maintenance team.

Step 4: Charging Cables and Connectors (10-15 minutes)

Objective: Ensure cables and connectors are clean, functional, and safely stored

Inspect cable jacket for cuts, abrasions, or damage (do not clean if damage found; escalate immediately)
Wipe cable housing with detergent-dampened cloth from connector to base
Clean connector exterior with isopropyl alcohol and lint-free cloth
Inspect connector pins for contamination, corrosion, or damage
If pins contaminated, clean with alcohol-dampened cotton swab (never use water)
Test cable retention mechanism and locking function
Return cable to proper storage position within ADA reach range

DCFC-specific: Heavy DCFC cables (15-25 lbs) require two-hand handling. Verify cable management arm pivots smoothly and supports cable weight without sagging.

Step 5: Signage and Branding (3-5 minutes)

Objective: Ensure signage legibility and brand presentation

Clean instructional signage with detergent solution
Remove stickers, graffiti, or unauthorized postings
Verify charging network branding is intact and legible
Clean reflective elements on safety signage
Document any faded, damaged, or missing signage for replacement

Step 6: Canopy and Overhead Structures (if applicable, 10-20 minutes)

Objective: Maintain canopy cleanliness and lighting function

Remove debris from canopy top and drainage channels (requires ladder or lift)
Clean solar panels (if equipped) with deionized water and squeegee
Wipe lighting fixtures and verify bulb function
Remove bird nests and install deterrents as needed
Inspect structural fasteners for looseness or corrosion

Safety requirement: Elevated work above 6 feet requires fall protection equipment and spotter. High winds (>25 mph) prohibit elevated work.

Post-Service Verification

Quality Inspection Checklist

Before leaving site, verify completion of all tasks:

Pavement free of trash, debris, and standing water
Equipment enclosure clean with no visible contamination
Touchscreen clear and responsive
Cables properly stored and connectors clean
Signage legible and intact
No new damage or safety hazards created during cleaning
All tools and materials removed from site
Caution signage and traffic cones removed

Post-Service Photography

Capture completion photos matching pre-service angles:

Front view (matching pre-service angle)
Rear view
Left side view
Right side view
Close-up of touchscreen showing clean condition
Close-up of cables in proper storage position

Upload photos to CleanShift platform within 15 minutes of service completion. Computer vision algorithms will verify quality and flag any issues requiring attention.

Maintenance Issue Reporting

Document any equipment damage or maintenance needs discovered during cleaning:

Cable damage (fraying, cuts, bent pins)
Screen damage (cracks, delamination, non-responsive areas)
Payment terminal malfunctions
Electrical hazards (exposed wiring, water intrusion)
Structural damage (loose mounting, cracked concrete)
Vandalism requiring repair beyond cleaning

Issues categorized by priority (Emergency/Priority/Routine) and automatically routed to appropriate maintenance team. See EV Charging Site SLA Standards for response time requirements.

Time Estimates by Site Type

Single Level 2 charger: 15-25 minutes
Dual Level 2 charger: 25-35 minutes
Single DCFC stall: 30-45 minutes
Multi-stall DCFC site (4 stalls): 90-120 minutes
DCFC with canopy structure: Add 20-30 minutes for canopy maintenance

Times assume normal contamination levels. Heavy contamination (graffiti removal, biohazard cleanup, post-storm debris) may require 50-100% additional time.

Failure Modes and Troubleshooting

Active Charging Session Interference

Problem: Vehicle connected and actively charging during scheduled service window
Solution: Clean adjacent areas first (pavement, enclosure, signage). Defer cable and connector cleaning until session completes. Maintain 6-foot clearance from vehicle. If session extends beyond reasonable time, coordinate with site operator to contact vehicle owner.

Stubborn Contaminants

Problem: Graffiti, adhesive residue, or petroleum stains not removed by standard cleaning
Solution: Apply approved solvent with 5-minute dwell time. Test solvent on inconspicuous area first to verify no finish damage. If contamination persists after two applications, document photographically and escalate to specialized cleaning team.

Equipment Malfunction During Cleaning

Problem: Equipment displays error codes or becomes non-functional during cleaning
Solution: Immediately halt cleaning operations. Document error code photographically. Verify no water intrusion into electrical components. Notify site operator and maintenance team. Tag equipment out-of-service if safety concern exists.

Technology Integration

CleanShift mobile app guides technicians through step-by-step cleaning process with:

Site-specific checklists based on equipment type and location
Integrated photo capture with automatic GPS and timestamp
Real-time quality verification using computer vision
Automatic maintenance issue escalation based on priority
Digital signature capture for service completion

See VisionOps EV Infrastructure for AI-powered quality verification capabilities.

Related Resources

EV Charging Station Cleaning - Core operational documentation
What an EV Charging Station Cleaning Looks Like - Visual guide with examples
EV Infrastructure Hygiene Guidelines - Safety and compliance standards
DC Fast Charger Site Cleaning - DCFC-specific procedures

EV Charging Station Cleaning Process