Tested to the extreme: Ensuring Peblar chargers survive the harshest of environmental conditions

Our chargers are designed to thrive in the toughest environments. Before release, we conduct rigorous environmental testing on our charger samples to ensure each unit meets industry standards before they reach the field.
During production, every charger undergoes strict end-of-line testing at our vertically integrated facility at Prodrive Technologies, guaranteeing reliable performance when faced with a range of environmental conditions in the outside world.
Why environmental durability matters for EV chargers
As the demand for EV chargers grows, so does the need for consistent, reliable performance. From busy commercial centres to remote highways, our chargers are tested to endure real-world stress like sudden temperature shifts, vibrations and water exposure.
“We see the charger as an extension of the electric car itself, that's why we take the automotive norms into consideration while testing and validating the product.”
Niels Klemans, System Test Engineer
Weathering the storm: Inside the climate chamber
From hot conditions to the chill of harsh winters, our climate chambers simulate a spectrum of extreme temperatures outdoor chargers may be exposed to.
Highly accelerated lifetime testing (HALT) compresses years of charger use into a few weeks by cycling through extremely high and freezing temperatures while testing charging and standby performance. This testing process ensures our chargers can function without failing at a range of temperatures. Having our testing facility in-house ensures we can make quick design changes if any issues arise from the environmental tests.
Thermal shock: Handling sudden temperature shifts
Nature is unpredictable. EV charges must be ready to handle abrupt temperature changes so they perform reliably for the end user. Through thermal shock testing, we cycle through freezing cold to scorching heat hundreds of times over to simulate the real-world stress of abrupt weather changes.
This process helps to identify structural or component weaknesses so we can refine the design and materials to ensure top reliability.
"During testing, we discovered that salt in the air completely corroded the combination of inserts and screws. This led us to choose a new coating, which we now use to prevent corrosion. These are the kinds of insights we gain from performing our environmental tests."
Bram Schroeders, Mechanical Engineer
Shielded from interference: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
In a world full of electronic devices, interference can be a real concern for EV chargers. Peblar chargers are manufactured to avoid interference with nearby electrical equipment.
Inside magnetically sealed chambers, we test for emissions and susceptibility to ensure our chargers won’t disrupt or be disrupted by other devices. We’re fortunate to have these EMC chambers on-site at Prodrive Technologies; it’s one more way we ensure reliable performance, especially in today’s connected world.
Sealed against dust and water
Temperature isn’t the only challenge - exposure to the elements can cause damage to a charger’s internals. Chargers installed in dry, dusty areas face constant exposure to airborne particles, while those in wetter climates battle with rain and moisture.
That’s why, in our state-of-the-art water spray and dust chambers, we simulate real-world conditions to test for dust and water ingress. From standard IP54 spray tests to salt mist evaluations, we make sure our chargers resist corrosion. These tests protect both the internal components and external parts like screws and enclosures, keeping them operational and durable for years to come.
Physical shock: Tough enough for everyday life
Charger durability is also about physical resilience. From accidental drops to everyday bumps and impacts, EV chargers need to be tough. Peblar chargers are designed with a robust PCBA and encased in a rigid plastic housing that efficiently absorbs kinetic energy without breaking.
To confirm this durability, our chargers undergo rigorous IK testing, including drop tests onto concrete floors and mechanical impact resistance trials simulating severe blows to an IK10 rating. The result is a smartly engineered design that stands up to real-world mishaps.
Chargers built to face the elements
At Peblar, we’re not just building chargers, we’re engineering trust. Every environmental test, temperature cycle and simulated drop is a step towards delivering reliability you can count on. By testing our chargers in harsh conditions, we ensure they’re future-ready for the realities of global deployment.
Explore our full range of durable, high-performance EV chargers designed and tested to withstand the toughest conditions.