Bollard mounting is the method of installing an EV charger on a freestanding post or pedestal (a “bollard”) rather than on a wall. It is commonly used in outdoor parking areas, island rows, and open lots where wall mounting is not possible or where the charger needs to be positioned directly beside the charging bay.
What Is Bollard Mounting?
Bollard mounting means the charger is fixed to a dedicated pedestal anchored to the ground. Depending on the charger design, this can be:
– A charger integrated into a single bollard housing
– A wall-style charger attached to a pedestal/backplate system
– A dual-outlet bollard serving two bays from one central point
Bollard mounting typically includes a base plate, anchor bolts, a cable entry from below, and sealing to prevent water ingress.
Why Bollard Mounting Matters in EV Infrastructure
Bollard mounting enables flexible charger placement and scalable site design. It matters because it helps:
– Install chargers in parking areas without walls or suitable structures
– Place the charger closer to vehicles for better cable reach and usability
– Standardize installations across large sites (retail, workplace, municipal)
– Support phased rollouts with predictable civil works and conduit routing
– Improve maintenance access compared to cramped wall-mounted locations
– Reduce indoor penetrations and complex building routing in some projects
For public and high-traffic sites, bollard mounting also provides stronger physical protection.
How Bollard Mounting Works
A typical bollard-mounted installation includes:
– A bollard foundation (concrete plinth/pad or precast base)
– Anchor bolts or embedded fixings aligned to the mounting template
– Conduit/ducting bringing power and communications to the base
– Mounting the bollard and sealing the cable entry points
– Installing the charger unit (or integrated bollard charger)
– Electrical termination, earthing, protection checks, and commissioning
– Backend connectivity setup (SIM/Ethernet/Wi-Fi) and OCPP configuration if required
Cable routing and holster placement are planned to avoid trip hazards and reduce cable wear.
Typical Use Cases
– Outdoor workplace charging in open car parks
– Retail parks, hotels, and destination charging sites
– Municipal parking areas and public destination locations
– Fleet depots where chargers must sit between bays
– Island parking rows where trenching is simpler than wall routing
– Sites using additional charger provision for future expansion
Key Benefits of Bollard Mounting
– Flexible placement in open parking environments
– Clean, repeatable installation layout for multi-site rollouts
– Better accessibility and usability when positioned correctly
– Supports dual-outlet installations and better bay utilization
– Easier to protect physically with separate bollards or wheel stops
– Maintenance-friendly access around the charger
Limitations to Consider
– Requires civil works and trenching, increasing installation cost compared to wall mounting
– Higher exposure to impact, vandalism, and weather without protection measures
– Foundation quality and drainage are critical to avoid tilting and water ingress
– Cable management must be designed to prevent trip hazards and premature wear
– Space planning is needed to avoid blocking pedestrian routes or accessible bays
Related Glossary Terms
Bollard Chargers
Bollard Foundations
Pedestal Mounting
Charging Station Installation
Cable Management System
Conduit System
Ingress Protection (IP Rating)
IK Rating (Impact Protection)
Charging Bay Markings
Additional Charger Provision