With this increasing interest in electric vehicles, a whole host of necessary changes to infrastructure have come about, from retailers introducing EV charging points with customer parking, to electric car charging points for businesses.

Targets such as ensuring that the majority of new cars and vans are electric by 2030 mean that now is the ideal time for businesses to assess which EV charging solutions are likely to fit every individual need.

Which businesses need EV charging points?

Different businesses may need to assess the requirement to install electric car charging points at their office location in different ways. For example:

• Large office complexes may need to think about employees who require electric charging points for vehicles they drive to work. Currently 75% of EV users are unable to charge their cars at work in the UK.
• Businesses with an electric commercial fleet – such as a logistics company, for example – will require commercial electric car charging stations to accommodate large numbers of company-owned vehicles.
• Companies based around individuals driving a fleet of electric cars that are individually owned – such as a taxi firm – could benefit from offering electric vehicle fleet charging on the premises.
• Leasing firms with electric vehicles on offer will need to ensure that there is sufficient charging so that models from electric car companies can be tested and demonstrated.
• A business that operates company cars, which is looking to go electric, will also need to have electric fleet management and charging in place.

5 key benefits of business electric car charging

1. Customers stay for longer. Retail businesses benefit from EV charging stations. They motivate customers to stay and browse for longer with straightforward parking facilities that can simultaneously provide charging benefits. Longer browsing increases the shopping basket.
2. Keeping employees happy. Employees who feel valued by the business – and whose needs are met – are more engaged and productive. Providing essential electric charging for employees demonstrates a responsive and committed employer.
3. Demonstrating environmental commitment and supporting brand values. Social responsibility is key for businesses today and enabling greener transport is a crucial part of that. EV charging at the workplace sends a clear and visible message about where the business stands with respect to reducing the environmental impact of its operations and personnel.
4. Improving efficiency and cutting costs. Electric charging points at work may make life easier for employees, reducing time spent seeking out where to charge, for example. For companies where vehicle fleets are part of the business there are opportunities to save on fuel and maintenance costs.
5. Providing convenience for clients. Clients make decisions about which companies to partner with on the basis of a wide range of factors – and convenience is one of the most important. EV charging stations on the premises will be attractive as clients can simply fill up with charge while attending a meeting or site visit.

The Workplace Charging Scheme

As part of the government’s drive towards encouraging individuals to select electric vehicles, it has developed a workplace charging scheme that is designed to enable businesses to better accommodate workplace charging. The scheme provides support for the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of charge points – up to £300 per charge point, for up to a maximum of 40 charge points. For businesses keen to offer workplace charging as an option for employees and clients but are put off by cost, the Workplace Charging Scheme offers an opportunity to partially fund this upgrade.

The road ahead

The combination of broader availability of EVs, increased consumer interest and government grants means the transition to electric will continue to rise and ultimately dominate. Over the next few decades we will begin to see electric cars overtake their diesel and petrol counterparts in terms of sales and use. For businesses across the world, whether employers, retailers or those with vehicle fleets to manage, now is the ideal time to begin assessing what kind of EV charging may be required on your own premises.