Why should you install an EV charging station?

EV charging points are installed onto different sites to be used to charge electric vehicles. They come in three different types with each determining how fast they can fully charge a car. Slow charging points are usually rated up to 3kW and are mainly found at home or in workspaces. This is because it can take around eight to ten hours for them to fully charge. Fast chargers can either be rated at 7kW or 22kW and can take around 3 to 4 hours to fully charge an electric vehicle. These are usually found in car parks or supermarkets. There are also rapid charges that are rated at 43kW. These can take around 30 to 60 minutes to fully charge an electric vehicle but are only compatible with rapid-charging function electric vehicles. They’re commonly found at motorway service stations and petrol stations.

The plug that comes with the EV charging point can also vary. For example, UK three pin plugs can give approximately five miles of range for every 30 minutes’ worth of charging but these are not designed for the long use and high power output needed to fully charge an electric vehicle. Type 2 plugs are the most common type of plug for electric vehicles. These have a more powerful charging capability as they can give approximately 75 miles for every 30 minutes charged. Unlike type 2 chargers, they also have an in-built locking mechanism when they are connected to a power supply. If you’re looking at rapid charging, you’ll need a CHAdeMO plug or a Combined Charging System (CCS) plug.

If you’re looking to install an EV charging point but are worried about the costs, it’s worth checking whether your business is eligible for any schemes or discounts. The government has put the Workplace Charging Scheme in place where businesses can claim a maximum of £10,000 to install charging points for their employees. This needs to be applied for before any EV charging points are installed and is a voucher-based system. You’ll only be able to claim for up to 20 sockets per business as well as fitting an eligibility criteria. The scheme is subject to change, but our experts can advise you on eligibility.

Choosing to install an EV charging point for your business is a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint through a reduction in your scope one emissions. By switching to an electric vehicle, you can save around 200 grams of CO2 per mile, helping to reduce global warming and achieve any sustainability targets your business might have. If you’re providing your employees with a place to charge their EVs, you could encourage them to make the switch to an electric car. It’s also a great way to show your commitment to becoming more sustainable to potential customers or clients.

With lots of EV charging station apps, such as Zap-Map, on the rise, you can put your business on the map, while generating some extra income. Potential customers could find your business when looking for a place to charge their vehicle. With the time it takes to charge an EV vehicle, they may be looking for somewhere to have dinner or do some shopping while they wait. So, having an EV charging point at your site is a great way to bring in some new business.