Choosing the right EV infrastructure for your business

More drivers in the UK are opting for the electric option, with unit sales of EVs in the UK expected to reach nearly 600k per annum by 2028, and electric light commercial vehicles projected to be 65% of new LCV sales in Europe by 2029. Offering convenient charging solutions can attract potential customers to your business and enhance profitability.

To cater to this growing market, considering your charging needs and evaluating compatible EV charging stations could future-proof your business, while also providing you with new revenue streams. It could even bolster your business standing in the eyes of investors when it comes to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) based investing adherence.

But what do you need to consider when picking the right EV infrastructure for your business? Here's how we can help you navigate picking your EV charging infrastructure.

Who are your EV users?

Firstly, you need to know who will use your EV infrastructure, and what the actual demand might be at your site. Do you offer an EV salary sacrifice scheme? Do your employees currently use EVs, or might they be more inclined to do so if EV chargepoints were available at their place of work? What about customers - how many would benefit from the installation of EV infrastructure? Would you be able to attract new customers, and how long might they charge at your site?

If you’re transitioning your entire fleet to EV, you’ll need the right EV infrastructure on your site. You might also want a different kind of chargepoint for your employees and your commercial fleet compared to those solely intended for customers.

As well as assessing your current EV needs and goals, consider the wider future of EVs and where your company, team and customers might be two, five or ten years down the line. The government is continuing to provide more incentives for businesses and individuals to transition to electric vehicles, so would investing now help you to get ahead of the curve? As EV take-up continues to rise in the UK, expect use of EV chargepoints to increase with it. Your investment is essentially future-proofed, and scaleable, so you can match your demand right now while looking to an electrified future.

By having a clear idea of who your EV infrastructure will serve, we can help you put together the ideal chargepoint solution when you request a quote with us.

What’s your business objective?

As well as considering your users, you should, of course, think about what it is you hope to gain out of EV infrastructure. Is your main motivation to attract visitors or talent, or are you more interested in maximising return on investment (ROI), reducing your business’ CO2 emissions, or reducing overall operational costs?

Your objective plays a huge part in the design of your EV chargepoint solution. For example, if ROI is a key factor, you might want to install fewer chargepoints so that utilisation is higher and also have the ability to set your own price for different users of your charge points. 
If reducing CO2 emissions is your main goal, you might prefer a higher capacity solution so that you can cover more vehicles in a fleet at once.

You can get in touch today to talk to an experienced member of the Watson Fuels team about your requirements and learn more about our no-obligation pre-installation survey.

What’s your budget?

The cost of your EV charging solution will naturally depend on your specific needs. Consider factors like the number of chargers you require and their functionalities (e.g. standard vs. rapid charging). We offer a range of solutions to suit various budgets, from basic single installations to more complex set-ups catering to larger fleets.

Here's how we can help:

• Understanding your needs: We'll work closely with you to assess your charging requirements and develop a cost-effective plan.
  
  
• Scalable solutions: We offer a range of options to fit your budget and growth trajectory.
  
  
• Maximising value: Our solutions are designed for long-term efficiency and optimal performance, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.

Before you do anything, make sure you have assessed the funding options available to you - there are plenty of opportunities to receive grant funding and other kinds of government support when implementing EV infrastructure at your business. 

Where are you planning to house your charger(s)?

Another consideration when planning your EV infrastructure will be the location of your chargers. Is there an obvious location on your site to implement the EV chargepoints? Our professionals can help you locate the ideal spot/s during the pre-installation survey, but keep in mind that factors, like distance from electrical connection, will affect the work needed during the installation.

Then there’s individual factors to consider such as whether your chargepoints work better in a station or require a wall-mounted zone, as well as the different space requirements of tethered and untethered models.

If you’re looking to use existing car park spaces for your chargepoints, it’s worth being aware that a little more space will be required – you’ll ideally need to allow 1.2 metres between every two spaces for the chargepoint.

Do you need rapid chargers?

A rapid charger is a type of EV charger that provides a fast, convenient charge, ideal for businesses where quick turnaround is needed, or for high-traffic areas looking to serve customers in minimal time. However, rapid chargers are more costly and have higher operational costs. If users are likely to stay for longer—such as to shop, or for a full working day stay—a standard charger will do the job and be most cost-effective.

If your goal is to attract customers, or support employees who may increase EV usage because of available charging, rapid chargers could be a beneficial perk to attract customers to your chargepoints. Ultimately, your budget plays a key role in this decision, as rapid chargers are more costly upfront and in terms of installation.

How many commercial EV charging points can you install?

While your considerations of audience and location will impact how many charging points you can or should install, the existing electrical supply capacity to your premises will also play a large part in what is feasible. This is provided by your local power distributor, and you may want to speak to them about alternative options for providing power.