How EV Charging Can Benefit Your Business

There are now over 30,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the UK ^[1]. These charging points are growing rapidly as electric vehicles become more popular. Some areas are lacking in EV charging points. Websites like Zap-Map are designed to help drivers locate their nearest public charging point.

This presents an opportunity of UK businesses to offer the unique perk of EV charging.  Not many people will want to sit and charge their car at public charging points. Installing charging points at the office, will keep your employees happy and it may even help your business attract talent. We’ll discuss all the benefits later in this guide.

If you’re interested in installing an electric charging point at your business, this guide will provide you with all the information you need. We’ll also advise you on the importance of selecting a suitable business electricity tariff when installing a vehicle charging system.

What is an electric charging point? 

An electric charging point, also known as an EV charging station, is an outlet where electric vehicles can recharge. These points feature a machine which resembles a patrol pump. The difference is that the pump supplies electricity for cars and plug-in hybrids.

What are the benefits of getting an electric charging point for your business?

There are plenty of advantages of getting an EV charging point installed at your company. For example:

1. Customer attraction and retention
   
   Your charging station could attract customers to your business and encourage them to stay for longer periods. If you run a store, restaurant, or any other customer-focused business, you could see an increase in sales.

2. Helpful for employees
   
   An EV charging point could not only be beneficial to customers, but it could also help your employees. This additional convenience could help to make your staff happier in their working environment. They would need to spend less time charging at public charging points. This could ultimately improve your business performance. 

3. Demonstrates commitment to environmental sustainability
   
   It’s no secret that electric vehicles are better for the environment than petrol and diesel fuelled cars. Electric cars emit less greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. By installing EV charging points at your business, you show that you are committed to helping the environment. This could thus increase your green credentials and boost your business’ reputation. 

4. Convenient for clients
   
   Having an EV charging point at your business will impress potential clients and partners. This will become more common as electric car usage continues to grow. A business EV charging station could thus help you make a good impression before clients even enter through your business’ doors! 

How much does it cost to install an electric vehicle charging point?

Costs start at around £1,000 (including VAT) to install an electric vehicle charging point in an office car park. This cost assumes that you apply for a grant from the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

This grant comes from the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) and covers £350 of each charging point’s installation cost (up to a maximum of 40 chargers). The grant is voucher-based and available to businesses, charities and local authorities.

It may be worth starting with 2-4 charging points initially to see if they are popular with employees and guests. 

What are the different types of EV charging points?

There are a few different types of EV charging stations in terms of their operation speeds and connector sockets.

Here’s a breakdown of the different types of electric vehicle charging points: 

Rapid charging points

These charging points are the fastest method for charging electric vehicles. Most rapid charging points charge at 50 kW; however, some can charge at up to 150 kW or 350 kW.

Rapid charging points are mostly seen at motorway service stations. They are found in the UK’s public network.

Fast charging points 

Fast charging points are the most common type of electric vehicle chargers in the UK. Most commercial and street charging points are fast charging. They also tend to be untethered, which means that you’ll need to have access to a cable of your own in order to recharge your vehicle.

Fast charging points typically charge between 7 kW and 22 kW.

Slow charging points

These charging points are typically best suited to overnight charging. They are therefore predominantly installed at domestic residences.

Slow charging points can charge at between 3kW and 6 kW.

How to choose the right energy tariff if you have an electric car?

When you get electric vehicle charging points installed at your business, your electricity usage is likely to change. You are likely to see an increase in your consumption. Thus, it is essential for you to select a suitable energy deal from the best business electricity supplier for you to avoid being overcharged for your business electricity.

Here at Business Electricity Prices, we can help you find a cost-effective electricity deal to help you keep your energy bills as low as possible. Simply enter your details into our free online energy comparison engine and we’ll find you some of the best electricity tariffs on the market.