A Guide to Workplace EV Charging

The use of electric vehicles (EVs) has grown massively in recent years and will continue to do so. With this growth has come an explosion in the required infrastructure to support such a massive transition, and at the top of the list of infrastructural priorities is the need to keep these vehicles charged. As an employer, you should know the importance of EV charging points for customers, clients and employees. 

Benefits of Workplace EV Charging

Although installing EV charging points in a workplace obviously involves a financial outlay, there are also benefits.

Cost savings on fuel expenses

If you run a fleet of vehicles, switching to EVs will dramatically reduce fuel costs. 

Environmental benefits and corporate sustainability

To promote more sustainable practices is the responsible thing to do. The fight against climate change requires us to change how we conduct our business, and switching to EVs benefits the environment. 

Employee and customer satisfaction and retention

Losing staff or customers can be expensive for a business, whether through reduced sales or the costs of recruitment. However, your customers and staff increasingly expect such facilities as EV charging points, and if you provide them, you will keep them happier and more likely to want to continue to stick with your business. 

Enhanced corporate image and brand reputation

EV charging points can be a visible demonstration of your business’s commitment to a more sustainable future, and this can greatly enhance your brand reputation in an era when customers, employees, and suppliers are all paying more attention to the environmental credentials of those they choose to work for, with, or buy from. 

Workplace EV Charging Policy in the UK

Government policy has sought to “incentivise the take-up of cleaner, less polluting vehicles to support air quality initiatives”. The Government offers businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet applicant and site eligibility criteria financial support to have charging points installed at their premises under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).

The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of purchasing and installing EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of £500 per socket, up to a maximum of 40 sockets across all sites per applicant.

You’ll also have to consider your business policy once they’re up and running. Who will get to use them, and when? Will they have to pay to use them? These are all important questions to answer if they’re not to raise as many issues as they solve. 

Strict adherence to workplace health and safety is absolutely critical. Charging cables carry more than enough voltage to deliver a fatal shock, so ensuring that they are properly maintained is something that absolutely has to be taken seriously.

Installing Workplace EV Charging Stations

There is a lot of preparation work to be done before installing EV charging points. You’ll need to determine the number of workplace charging stations you need (based on employee demand) and weigh that against the amount of space you have and the cost of installation. You’ll also need to decide where the charging stations should be located on your premises, establish which type of charging you’ll want to use, and assess any necessary electrical upgrades.

Workplace EV Charging Solutions

The first thing you’ll need to do is determine how many charging points you want. You’ll need to find out what space you have and base the number of charging points upon this, combined with the demand of your staff or customers. 

EV chargers come in three main speeds:

• Slow charging (up to about 3kW, including a standard three-pin plug at around 2.3kW) adds roughly 10-15 miles of range per hour and is best suited to overnight charging at home.

• Fast charging (7kW to 22kW) is the most common option for workplaces - a 7kW charger adds up to 30 miles of range per hour, while a 22kW charger adds up to 90 miles per hour.

• Rapid and ultra-rapid charging (50kW and above, DC) is the quickest option, charging most EVs to 80% in under an hour.

Integration with renewable energy is possible. If you have on-site renewable energy sources, you can co-locate workplace charging stations with them. Solar panels, for example, could generate electricity during the day and store it to charge EVs at night. Wind Turbines can harvest wind energy for charging. Hybrid Systems can combine solar and wind power with EV charging infrastructure.

Smart Charging Solutions and Software Management also play a role in maximising the efficiency of your EV charging points. Charging apps enable users to manage charging sessions remotely while monitoring energy consumption will allow you to optimise performance and reduce costs. Should you be charging for use, billing and payment systems can seamlessly handle transactions and user accounts.

EV Charging Etiquette at Work

It will also be important to enforce EV charging etiquette to ensure that all staff get a fair turn. Setting time limits can help make sure everyone has access when they need it. 

Managing charging schedules and priorities for workplace EV charging stations is crucial to ensure fair access, efficient utilisation, and employee satisfaction. Here’s an outline of some best practices for employers:

Clear Policies and Communication

Establish transparent guidelines for using charging stations and communicate these policies to all employees. Specify your priorities (e.g., electric fleet vehicles, visitors, employees) and policies.

Prioritise Fleet Vehicles

Electric fleet vehicles should have priority access. Ensure they are fully charged during work hours to maximise productivity.

Shift-Based Scheduling

Allocate charging slots based on employee shifts: balance morning and afternoon charging opportunities.

Reservation System

Implement a reservation system for high-demand periods so employees can book slots in advance.

Flexible Charging Hours

Allow employees to charge during breaks or lunchtime and avoid peak hours to prevent congestion.

Smart Charging Solutions

Use smart charging software to manage schedules and optimise charging based on demand and energy availability.

Emergency Charging

Prioritise employees with urgent needs (such as low battery charges), but encourage cooperation and flexibility.

Address Etiquette Breaches

Educate employees on proper charging behaviour and handle conflicts diplomatically.

Feedback and Adaptation:

Collect feedback from users regularly and adjust policies based on real-world usage patterns.

Promoting Workplace EV Charging Adoption

There’s a range of ways in which you can promote your initiative once everything is set up. This may include employee education and awareness campaigns, incentive programmes and rewards for EV owners, and collaboration with local authorities and EV advocacy groups. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with using your investment to trumpet your achievements!

As we continue to transition away from fossil fuels, charging points will continue to become more common. EV charging points tell the watching world that you’re environmentally ahead of the curve and care about your customers, staff and suppliers. At SwitchPal, we can help you move toward a more sustainable future. Contact us today and find out how you can do your part!