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- By Caroline McNally
Beginning the process of installing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at your business can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of options available with a plethora of information. In this article we will go over all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your business.
The first topic is location. The location of an EV charger is critical due to wiring, possible need for underground wiring dependent on accessibility, and EV charging use. When considering the location for an EV charger at your business the first step is to figure out what level of planning you will need. There is corridor-level planning for infrastructure along roads and highways, community-level planning for infrastructure in a neighborhood or town, and site-level planning if you want an EV charger installed in a pre-determined location. When deciding what type of planning is best suited to your needs, work with your installation company to ensure it is in a spacious area with a clear access path for not only wires but also cars that will be utilizing the charging stations once installed.
Secondly is your network. Electrical Vehicle chargers should be connected to a network for optimal data usage, location access, and maintenance needs. The network has a plethora of benefits including data recordings of billing and invoicing, user and guest authorization, real-time status updates, demand response, remote upgrades and maintenance, and is discoverable on Google, Apple and Waze maps. Without being connected to a network, EV charging infrastructure is far less accessible to consumers and less user friendly. The network, although not necessary, makes owning and operating an EV charger more efficient and much easier.
Third is rebates. The cost of installing an EV charging station is expensive, however federal rebates and credits have made EV charging stations much more affordable. Rebates and credits for EV chargers are first come first serve, meaning that the money allocated towards rebates is a finite amount of money. Although rebates are not expected to run out for quite a period of time, utilizing rebates while they are available is strongly recommended to get the EV infrastructure you want and need.
Fourth is the type of charging station. It is important to know your market and to understand the needs of those who will be utilizing your EV charging station when choosing the type of charger that is right for you. For residential areas where there will be a low traffic volume, a level 1 charger would be best advised with a charging duration of 8 hours. Unlike residential areas, business areas with higher volumes of traffic have two types of charging stations to choose from. The first is a level 2 charger that has a charging duration ranging from 1.5 hours to 3 hours. Level 2 chargers are best used for moderate traffic areas like offices and shopping centers where electric vehicles can charge while consumers are doing something productive. The second option is a level 3 charger, otherwise known as a direct current fast charger (DCFC) with a charging duration ranging from 20 minutes to an hour. Level 3 chargers are best used for high traffic areas where consumers want a quick charge like service stations, rest stops, gas stations, highways, and convenience stores. Knowing which charger fits your needs best is crucial to having useful and efficient charging infrastructure that is suited to the type of user that will utilize your chargers.
Maverick Electric Vehicle Services are experts when it comes to all things EV charging infrastructure and can guide you from the very beginning of the process right through to your EV charging station being turned on and becoming operational. Call us or request a quote online to speak to our team of EV experts and get started on your EV charging infrastructure project today!
