The UK is the third-largest market for EVs in Europe, but what do you need to know about EV charging for business?
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In this article:
- EV Charging for businesses: the basics
- What are the benefits of EV charging for businesses?
- EV charging for businesses: what will it cost?
- What government grants are available for EV charging for businesses?
- What profit can I make from installing chargers?
- What commercial regulations do I have to abide by?
- How do I select an EV charging point installer?
- How to get started with EV charging for businesses
- FAQs
EV CHARGING FOR BUSINESSES: THE BASICS
The UK is the third-largest market for electric vehicles in Europe, with 1.65m new cars registered in 2021. At present, there are many charging stations available for use at motorway service stations and other public spaces such as supermarkets or carparks. Of course, aside from commercial properties, EV users may also have access to a home charging station - but a large portion of users rely on EV chargers away from home.
If the UK government want to sufficiently further increase the uptake of electric vehicles by their 2050 net-zero goal, then we need the publicly accessible infrastructure to support this. The implementation of EV charging stations at commercial properties - particularly leisure businesses like hotels or bed and breakfasts - is not only beneficial for the users, but also for business owners and stakeholders. Read on to explore how the installation of electric car charging points for business could benefit you.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EV CHARGING FOR BUSINESSES?
It’s no wonder that the number of public charge points for electric cars rose by 37 percent in 2021 due to the many benefits that installation brings to your business.HABITUAL USE
Through the installation of electric car charging points for business, whether a hotel or another leisure sector-based business, your premises can become a destination for regular charge use. EV users will habitually return to your business thanks to the facilities you have available. Hotels with EV charging will ultimately see an increase in occupancy rates as well as an increase in the time spent at the premises by existing guests!ONLINE VISIBILITY
Increase the visibility of your hospitality or leisure business online - Google Maps and apps like Zap-Map allows users to locate nearby EV charging stations by category. By appearing in these results, hotels with EV charging will definitely gain more traffic to their doors.CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND BEAT COMPETITION
By providing such modern and eco-friendly charging infrastructure, you will delight your EV-driving customers and possibly even extend the length of their stay now they can easily charge their vehicle. As well as this, the leisure industry is competitive - it’s always a good idea to get ahead of the curve with the newest tech.REVENUE GENERATION
Depending on your plans for your business following EV charging station installation, it is possible to charge a fee for the use of your charging facilities. Whether you want to simply recover the cost of the electricity used or you aim to make a profit, EV charging stations for business are a great way to do it. Selling advertising space on and around your charge points is also an additional innovative way to generate revenue.ECO INITIATIVE AND THE POWER OF DATA
Of course, it should be any commercial business’ goal to play their part in reducing their carbon footprint. With particular EV charging stations, you are able to collect data about charge point use and the users’ dwelling time at the hotel. With this data, you are able to generate reports that illustrate the eco-focused business model at the core of your company - which could potentially be a great PR opportunity.‘FIT AND FORGET’
Part of the beauty of EV charging station installation for businesses is that you can simply fit and forget. Following the installation process, your installer will deal with the aftercare and maintenance of your new facilities. You don’t have to worry about anything else - leaving you with more time to focus on enhancing the guest experience.
Whether you’re looking for more information on commercial EV charger installations and services, or have a query about how we work, our experts are here to help. Start the process for a free site survey & EV support today!
WHAT EV CHARGERS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET - AND WHICH IS RIGHT FOR MY BUSINESS?
The type of charging station necessary for your business will depend on the type of electric vehicle and the type of socket it has been fitted with. Different types of connectors are designed for different electric vehicles and charge EVs at different speeds - it can be confusing to distinguish between them all and realise the one that is required for your premises.
Similar to a cable you use to charge your phone, an EV charger consists of a plug that connects to the charging point and a plug that connects to the vehicle.
When selecting an EV charger for business, you will want to consider the needs of your guests, focusing on how each charger can optimise the guest experience. For instance, opting for slow EV chargers will be suitable for overnight charging, but fast or rapid charging will be preferred for those who are stopping by for a quick recharge - you may want to install both, if your budget allows.You will also want to consider the space you have available on your premises. Wall-mounted EV chargers may be a preferred option over freestanding chargers depending on the size of your parking area, and you should take into account the accessibility of walkways.
EV CHARGING FOR BUSINESSES: WHAT WILL IT COST?
Let's cut to the chase, you're here for costs. The full installation of a leading 7.3kw charger will start around £1,800 but to get an accurate cost, your EV charger installer needs more information.
We can provide you with an accurate quote off the back of our free site survey.
The exact price of EV charging station installation will depend on a range of factors, starting with the type of hardware chosen, the installation specifications and the distance between the EV charging station and the electric meter on your premises. All of these factors will be outlined and explained by your EV charger installer, and advice on the best option for you will be provided.
The overall cost and outgoings shouldn’t be the only thing stopping you from taking the plunge and seeking a site quote for EV charging station installation for your business. If this is something that you’re wanting to find out more about, you’ll be happy to hear that there are grants and incentives available from the government that have been made available to encourage EV use across the country. What are these grants, what funds are available to you, and how can you access them?
WHAT GOVERNMENT GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EV CHARGING FOR BUSINESSES?
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has several government-funded grants available with the goal of motivating Britain to make the switch to electric vehicles.
THE WORKPLACE CHARGING SCHEME (WCS)
This scheme grants eligible businesses a discount towards the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints on their premises. This has been implemented by the government to encourage the adoption of EV charging stations across the country, in the hopes that electric vehicles will become the only type of vehicle on the roads by 2050.
Ran by OZEV, the grant offers applicants up to 75% of the total costs of EV charger installation - capped at £350 per socket.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Detailed on the government’s website, to be eligible you must;
- be a registered business, charity, or public sector organisation
- be a public authority
declare a need for EV charging equipment, or an intent to encourage uptake among their staff and/or fleet - be located in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
- have dedicated off-street parking for staff and/or fleet use only
- own the property or have consent from the landlord for charge points to be installed at the sites listed in your application
HOW DO I ACCESS THESE GRANTS?
Here at Devitech, we can provide you with support in accessing and applying for government grants - so that you can get the best deal possible to electrify your hotel or bed and breakfast.