The acquisition of electric company cars is increasing exponentially – as it should – with the UK’s EV industry reaching new heights as we gradually progress towards a carbon-neutral future.
With this growth, it is vital that the demand is compensated for. It is becoming more important for organisations to implement charging schemes at the workplace.
But what should businesses be factoring into their new sustainability endeavours?
How Many Charge Points are Needed?
How many electric vehicles are on-site? What type of chargers are required? What is the availability of parking bays, and the budget allowance for each installation? These are the sort of questions that are raised before the implementation of workplace charging networks.
While it is integral to plan for an existing fleet of electric company cars, it’s also incredibly important to look ahead and plan for future developments. Any infrastructure introduced now should take into consideration the advancements of the EV industry and how much it will grow in the build-up to 2030, when petrol and diesel cars will become part of an inferior supply.
The Speed of the Ports
The latest technology is highlighted as a staggering success on paper. High-powered charger points are in no doubt the fastest on the market, but faster does not necessarily mean they are better for businesses.
A 7kW charge point will give a vehicle up to five miles of charge in just 10 minutes. A charger equipped with a 150kW connector will provide a vehicle with up to 100 miles in the same amount of time.
The key point to consider before kitting out your complex with high-grade chargers is this:
What type of vehicles are in use, and how many there are on site.
The costs of buying and installing charge points can differ substantially, with 7kW chargers usually costing around £4,000 and 150kW ultra-fast chargers featuring upwards of £100,000.
In addition to cost, the electronic capacity of your site needs to be taken into consideration. If demand starts to exceed supply, a substation power adapter may be required to cope with power surges.
If onsite electric cars spend most of their time stationary then installing ultra-fast charging stations is a waste of your business’ funds. On the other hand, if your business is subject to a high volume of cars coming in between high-mileage activities, the installation of high-grade chargers will prove beneficial.
Where Should I Install Charging Points?
EV charging points should be placed in prominent areas that are accessible, easy to find and showcase the company’s sustainability efforts. Ideally, this should be a location that is in close proximity to the site’s power source. The closer the charge points are, the less digging needs to be carried out and the lower the cost of the entire installation.
Once the infrastructure has been put in place, charging bays will need to be instantly recognisable using eye-level signage that indicates the location of charging bays.
For further information on the installation and implementation of workplace charging networks, get in touch with us at Elite EV Charging.
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