EV charging - Understanding your site's capabilities

How many EV chargers can you can fit on your site? Discover more on how we assess your site's capabilities.

A common issue we find at Devitech is the debate between how many chargers the client wants versus what the sites infrastructure can provide. Whilst some are dipping their toe into EV charging stations and providing 1 or 2, others are wanting to provide many chargers and as quickly as possible, for their staff, customers and the public. It all comes down to what your site can accommodate.

The issue that we find is that the capability of a site versus reality is often quite different. The process of designing a charging facility can (but not always) become a complex process, that requires in-depth technical expertise and thorough planning via electrical calculations and design. Whilst charging technology is improving exponentially, keeping pace with the EV development and infrastructure roll out across the UK and beyond will cause issues as we learn to adapt to this new way of commuting. Infrastructure analysis allows you to decide what is feasible and realistic.

It is essential that a realistic approach is taken from the offset when planning your company’s EV charging solution.

Site Analysis Planning for an EV charging station begins in the design room with a discussion about the sites requirements, expectations and future charging needs. By looking at the available electrical supply, and undertaking the applicable load calculations, it allows a suitable solution in line with existing infrastructure, or if an upgrade is needed, undertake a full turnkey package. Extra distribution boards or power can be installed if required.

Whilst smart-charging and load management are viable options when looking at your EV requirements (Load management distributes your power across all the chargers on site, but can lead to a reduction in each charge. Essentially the power is distributed over all chargers, and by talking to each other, it distributes a steady electrical current to each unit) understanding your power on site allows a realistic solution to be offered.

With all the above in place, it is key to select the right solutions provider for installing charging equipment at your site. Installing EV stations will put your business in a position to reap a variety of benefits and value-creation opportunities, as well as providing charging solutions for your guests, staff and visitors.