Cars are one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and, to control that, something must be done about the massive carbon footprint that they leave behind.
Luckily, there’s a solution for that in the form of electric cars, which are powered by electricity as compared to petrol and diesel used by traditional vehicles.
Electric cars work by being plugged into a charging station where the electricity from the grid charges the rechargeable batteries inside the car.
Due to the absence of an exhaust system, electric cars run without producing any harmful gasses that are detrimental to the environment.
Additionally, electricity can be generated using renewable resources such as solar, wind, and water power, as compared to the natural, but non-renewable resources used by conventional cars.
The use of electric vehicles (EVs) can have a huge impact on the climate crisis faced by the world, which is why the UK government will be phasing out sales of new cars and vans powered solely by petrol and diesel from 2030.
However, to help that vision become a reality, there need to be accessible charging points that the vehicle owners can rely on to charge their electric cars.
There are three ways that electric car owners can charge their cars – at home, at the workplace, and in public spaces.
Business electric car charging points are an important facility for employees and visitors and a convenient way for them to charge their cars while they’re parked there during the day.
Let’s look at the advantages of having business electric car charging points, the type of businesses that could benefit from them, how much they cost, and the legal requirements of having them installed on your commercial premises:
ARE THEY WORTH IT?
Would you be comfortable taking out your car if there were no accessible petrol stations or ways to fill your tank in case you run out of fuel? Obviously not, because you wouldn’t want to take the risk.
Similarly, one of the main things that people look for when adopting and using EVs is appropriate charging facilities.
Most of the EV owners have charging points installed in their homes, which should be encouraged since it is the most convenient way to charge their cars. However, there must be facilities outside the home too since the need may arise unexpectedly and at any time.
As of December 2020, 13,060 different locations have 20,656 EV public charging devices and 35,946 connectors installed in the UK. This is a huge number but it needs to increase drastically to meet the expected demand for EVs in the future.
Businesses must look into installing EV chargers on their premises because, after residential charging, workplace charging is considered the most important secondary option for charging electric cars.
It can help encourage the use of EVs, especially in the early years of EV adoption when public charging stations might be difficult and expensive to build.
Businesses with dedicated parking spaces can install EV chargers to accommodate employees and visitors with EVs. The best location for installation must be chosen keeping the lowest cost options in mind.
A wall-mounted charging point near an existing electrical panel is the best place to install them since the further the chargers are from the electrical service, the higher the installation costs.
The benefits of workplace EV charging are mostly enjoyed by employees since it helps them conveniently charge their vehicles at the office. However, they are also extremely beneficial for employers and the community as a whole. Let’s look at how:
Reduces range anxiety
One of the biggest challenges faced by electric car owners is the fear that their car will run out of electric charge mid-way and they won’t be able to top it up due to a lack of charging points. This can be especially true for people whose workplaces are far away from their homes.
Workplace charging points can help minimise this fear among employees who will be assured of being able to charge their cars while they work during the day. They can also potentially double the daily driving range of their EVs by allowing them to drive to a further destination after charging at the workplace.
Encourages EV purchasing
As discussed above, accessibility to charging stations is one of the biggest determining factors in the purchasing decision of electric cars. People will be encouraged to invest in EVs if they know that they would be easily able to charge their cars at their workplaces.
Business electric car charging points allow employees with long commutes and no home charging points to be more open towards purchasing electric cars and playing their part in a greener and cleaner environment.
Pollution control
The majority of people travel alone to and from their workplaces in internal combustion vehicles that account for most of the harmful emissions in the air. The air would be much cleaner if their carbon footprints could be eliminated, as was apparent during the COVID-lockdown in early 2020.
An increase in business charging points and the consequent increase in EVs can significantly reduce air pollution and the production of greenhouse gasses that all contribute towards global warming.
Employee retention
Employee turnover can be very expensive for employers, which is why they are always looking for ways to attract and retain a talented workforce. This can be in the form of numerous benefits such as paid leaves, travel allowance, and free food.
Workplace electric car charging is another such benefit that can help employers achieve their targets while helping employees with their transportation needs.
Employees with EVs will most likely look for recruiters who have a charging facility on their premises when deciding on where to work. It is important for you, as an employer, to keep up with the trends and provide your employees with all the benefits to make them more comfortable and productive.
Corporate branding
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) dictates that all business practices must be ethical and sustainable, which include usage of resources, waste management, recycling, emissions, and environment-friendly office and business travel policies.
Workplace electric car charging points contribute to a business’s CSR and help enhance the company’s image as being socially and environmentally responsible. Many businesses across the UK have active sustainability programs which include a reduction in their carbon emissions, and workplace charging fits directly in achieving their targets.
Cost savings
Businesses that own company cars can convert their fleet to EVs if they have their own charging points installed. By doing so, they can enjoy great cost savings since the running and maintenance costs for EVs is relatively low as compared to traditional cars.
Electricity is much cheaper than petrol and diesel and since electric cars don’t run on oil, they don’t require oil changes. EVs also have significantly fewer moving parts than fuel-powered vehicles and are typically easier on the brakes and don’t wear off as quickly leading to fewer brake replacements.
WHICH BUSINESSES NEED EV CHARGING POINTS?
Some of the various types of businesses that could benefit from EV charging points include:
COST OF BUSINESS EV CHARGING POINT
The total cost of a commercial EV charging point depends on numerous factors such as the charger model, charging level, the number of chargers installed, EV supply equipment, their location, and the installation. However, on average, it will cost between £1,000 and £1,500 +VAT.
There are also funding options for businesses where they can qualify for a £350 grant under the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) to support them with the initial cost of purchasing and installing new charging stations.
To be eligible for the grant, the business owners must declare a need for the charge points on the application which could include encouraging staff members and employees to switch to electric cars, an existing fleet of EVs, or providing a charging solution for visitors.
Other than that, they must provide at least 3kW, with the supply not being affected by charging multiple cars simultaneously, have off-street parking used by the business’s staff and visitors, and have the EV charging points installed by an accredited OLEV approved installer.
Considering a business receives a £350 grant from the government and the net installed cost of the charging points amount to £1150 + VAT, the charger can easily pay for itself in 3 to 6 years making the initial investment worth it in the long-run. How? Let’s find out:
The direct way to earn from an EV charging point is by earning an income through it. Let’s suppose one employee charges their EV using 25kWh each charge for 250 days a year. If you charge them at a profit of 4p per kWh, you can make a £1 profit each day, amounting to a £250 gross profit per year.
The annual running costs depend on the chargers and management model you practice, with the average cost not likely to exceed £50 per charger per year.
By subtracting the annual running costs from the annual gross profit, you’ll be left with a £200 annual net profit from a single charging point.
With one user per day (weekdays only), the payback time for the charger can be 6 years, and with two users per day, the payback time can be twice as quick covering the total costs in 3 years only.
3 to 6 years is a fairly reasonable payback time for the charging points considering the numerous benefits that they provide the employees, employers, and the business as a whole.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Electric vehicles will slowly, but surely, take over roads in the UK, and to speed up the process there have to be sufficient charging stations to support the shift from traditional cars to electric ones.
The infrastructure for EV charging is likely to look very different than the current setup with petrol stations for fuel-powered vehicles. Since most homes and businesses are connected to the electricity grid, they will be much more flexible and decentralised.
Home charging will always be the primary source for electric vehicle owners, but with 43% of them who do not have access to off-street parking, relying on their workplaces to provide them with a solution for their charging needs is the next best option.
There are a few legal requirements that businesses looking to develop electric charging infrastructure need to consider. They are:
Getting connected to the grid
The expected forecast of EVs in use in the near future could create an extra demand of 18GW by 2050, placing an additional strain on the grid that will need reinforcements on both the national and local level to meet the rising demand.
Although the additional transmission level costs are generally covered by the taxes charged on the electricity supply, any additional work required at the distribution level is passed on to the business installing the charging points by the District Network Operators (DNOs).
In certain cases, depending on the type of charger being installed and the existing capacity of the commercial premises, DNO consent may be required before installing one, or any number, of charging points to the electrical wiring on site.
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulations 2017
According to the alternative fuel regulations, electricity and hydrogen are being regulated to ensure that they are supplied to vehicles and ships all over the UK to minimise dependency on oil, and subsequently contributing to a low carbon economy.
They ensure that the various technical specifications for charging points are met according to the BSI standards, which include socket outlets and vehicle connectors, and that the customer experience standards are also met.
Consumer law
Businesses that plan on charging their employees and visitors for using their charging points need to ensure that their payment process complies with consumer laws.
Keeping with the requirements under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, the prices charged by commercial EV charging point operators must be reasonable and transparent.
Health and safety
The quality of the equipment and the expertise with which it is installed is crucial to how effectively an EV charging point will operate, which is why businesses need to pay special attention to the installation process.
The equipment needs to be manufactured according to the latest technical standards and the business owners must ensure that they receive manufacturer warranties providing evidence of its standard.
However, it is important to note that the responsibility lies on the charging point operators as much as it lies on the manufacturers/installers. Business owners may also be held accountable for any overlooked safety hazards that might put users at risk.
Therefore, businesses must understand the extent of their responsibility and choose the right chargers, a safe location to have the charging points installed, ensure they are used safely, and that all the risks are effectively managed.
Planning and property
Businesses with off-street parking can benefit from permitted development rights, introduced in 2011, where if certain conditions are met, they would not be required to take planning permission. Since then, many local planning authorities include development plans for fitting the wiring for charging points at a later date.
For wall-mounted EV charging points, a few of the conditions include the electrical outlet not exceeding 0.2 cubic meters and not facing or being within 2 meters of a highway. For upstanding EV charging points, their heights cannot exceed 2.3 metres in all areas except residential premises, where the maximum height is 1.6 meters.
CONTACT CALDER ELECTRICAL SERVICES
At Calder Electrical, we can install EV chargers for domestic and commercial premises in line with the current regulations and can offer a government incentive to reduce the installation costs.
We are authorised and registered OLEV installers and our charge points come with a 3-year warranty. We offer all kinds of different options to choose from such as wall-mounted to freestanding pedestal units, and with different types of chargers and charging speeds.
Contact us right away for our expert opinion and professional services!
Photo by Ed Harvey on Unsplash
Cars are one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and, to control that, something must be done about the massive carbon footprint that they leave behind.
Luckily, there’s a solution for that in the form of electric cars, which are powered by electricity as compared to petrol and diesel used by traditional vehicles.
Electric cars work by being plugged into a charging station where the electricity from the grid charges the rechargeable batteries inside the car.
Due to the absence of an exhaust system, electric cars run without producing any harmful gasses that are detrimental to the environment.
Additionally, electricity can be generated using renewable resources such as solar, wind, and water power, as compared to the natural, but non-renewable resources used by conventional cars.
The use of electric vehicles (EVs) can have a huge impact on the climate crisis faced by the world, which is why the UK government will be phasing out sales of new cars and vans powered solely by petrol and diesel from 2030.
However, to help that vision become a reality, there need to be accessible charging points that the vehicle owners can rely on to charge their electric cars.
There are three ways that electric car owners can charge their cars – at home, at the workplace, and in public spaces.
Business electric car charging points are an important facility for employees and visitors and a convenient way for them to charge their cars while they’re parked there during the day.
Let’s look at the advantages of having business electric car charging points, the type of businesses that could benefit from them, how much they cost, and the legal requirements of having them installed on your commercial premises:
ARE THEY WORTH IT?
Would you be comfortable taking out your car if there were no accessible petrol stations or ways to fill your tank in case you run out of fuel? Obviously not, because you wouldn’t want to take the risk.
Similarly, one of the main things that people look for when adopting and using EVs is appropriate charging facilities.
Most of the EV owners have charging points installed in their homes, which should be encouraged since it is the most convenient way to charge their cars. However, there must be facilities outside the home too since the need may arise unexpectedly and at any time.
As of December 2020, 13,060 different locations have 20,656 EV public charging devices and 35,946 connectors installed in the UK. This is a huge number but it needs to increase drastically to meet the expected demand for EVs in the future.
Businesses must look into installing EV chargers on their premises because, after residential charging, workplace charging is considered the most important secondary option for charging electric cars.
It can help encourage the use of EVs, especially in the early years of EV adoption when public charging stations might be difficult and expensive to build.
Businesses with dedicated parking spaces can install EV chargers to accommodate employees and visitors with EVs. The best location for installation must be chosen keeping the lowest cost options in mind.
A wall-mounted charging point near an existing electrical panel is the best place to install them since the further the chargers are from the electrical service, the higher the installation costs.
The benefits of workplace EV charging are mostly enjoyed by employees since it helps them conveniently charge their vehicles at the office. However, they are also extremely beneficial for employers and the community as a whole. Let’s look at how:
Reduces range anxiety
One of the biggest challenges faced by electric car owners is the fear that their car will run out of electric charge mid-way and they won’t be able to top it up due to a lack of charging points. This can be especially true for people whose workplaces are far away from their homes.
Workplace charging points can help minimise this fear among employees who will be assured of being able to charge their cars while they work during the day. They can also potentially double the daily driving range of their EVs by allowing them to drive to a further destination after charging at the workplace.
Encourages EV purchasing
As discussed above, accessibility to charging stations is one of the biggest determining factors in the purchasing decision of electric cars. People will be encouraged to invest in EVs if they know that they would be easily able to charge their cars at their workplaces.
Business electric car charging points allow employees with long commutes and no home charging points to be more open towards purchasing electric cars and playing their part in a greener and cleaner environment.
Pollution control
The majority of people travel alone to and from their workplaces in internal combustion vehicles that account for most of the harmful emissions in the air. The air would be much cleaner if their carbon footprints could be eliminated, as was apparent during the COVID-lockdown in early 2020.
An increase in business charging points and the consequent increase in EVs can significantly reduce air pollution and the production of greenhouse gasses that all contribute towards global warming.
Employee retention
Employee turnover can be very expensive for employers, which is why they are always looking for ways to attract and retain a talented workforce. This can be in the form of numerous benefits such as paid leaves, travel allowance, and free food.
Workplace electric car charging is another such benefit that can help employers achieve their targets while helping employees with their transportation needs.
Employees with EVs will most likely look for recruiters who have a charging facility on their premises when deciding on where to work. It is important for you, as an employer, to keep up with the trends and provide your employees with all the benefits to make them more comfortable and productive.
Corporate branding
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) dictates that all business practices must be ethical and sustainable, which include usage of resources, waste management, recycling, emissions, and environment-friendly office and business travel policies.
Workplace electric car charging points contribute to a business’s CSR and help enhance the company’s image as being socially and environmentally responsible. Many businesses across the UK have active sustainability programs which include a reduction in their carbon emissions, and workplace charging fits directly in achieving their targets.
Cost savings
Businesses that own company cars can convert their fleet to EVs if they have their own charging points installed. By doing so, they can enjoy great cost savings since the running and maintenance costs for EVs is relatively low as compared to traditional cars.
Electricity is much cheaper than petrol and diesel and since electric cars don’t run on oil, they don’t require oil changes. EVs also have significantly fewer moving parts than fuel-powered vehicles and are typically easier on the brakes and don’t wear off as quickly leading to fewer brake replacements.
WHICH BUSINESSES NEED EV CHARGING POINTS?
Some of the various types of businesses that could benefit from EV charging points include:
COST OF BUSINESS EV CHARGING POINT
The total cost of a commercial EV charging point depends on numerous factors such as the charger model, charging level, the number of chargers installed, EV supply equipment, their location, and the installation. However, on average, it will cost between £1,000 and £1,500 +VAT.
There are also funding options for businesses where they can qualify for a £350 grant under the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) to support them with the initial cost of purchasing and installing new charging stations.
To be eligible for the grant, the business owners must declare a need for the charge points on the application which could include encouraging staff members and employees to switch to electric cars, an existing fleet of EVs, or providing a charging solution for visitors.
Other than that, they must provide at least 3kW, with the supply not being affected by charging multiple cars simultaneously, have off-street parking used by the business’s staff and visitors, and have the EV charging points installed by an accredited OLEV approved installer.
Considering a business receives a £350 grant from the government and the net installed cost of the charging points amount to £1150 + VAT, the charger can easily pay for itself in 3 to 6 years making the initial investment worth it in the long-run. How? Let’s find out:
The direct way to earn from an EV charging point is by earning an income through it. Let’s suppose one employee charges their EV using 25kWh each charge for 250 days a year. If you charge them at a profit of 4p per kWh, you can make a £1 profit each day, amounting to a £250 gross profit per year.
The annual running costs depend on the chargers and management model you practice, with the average cost not likely to exceed £50 per charger per year.
By subtracting the annual running costs from the annual gross profit, you’ll be left with a £200 annual net profit from a single charging point.
With one user per day (weekdays only), the payback time for the charger can be 6 years, and with two users per day, the payback time can be twice as quick covering the total costs in 3 years only.
3 to 6 years is a fairly reasonable payback time for the charging points considering the numerous benefits that they provide the employees, employers, and the business as a whole.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Electric vehicles will slowly, but surely, take over roads in the UK, and to speed up the process there have to be sufficient charging stations to support the shift from traditional cars to electric ones.
The infrastructure for EV charging is likely to look very different than the current setup with petrol stations for fuel-powered vehicles. Since most homes and businesses are connected to the electricity grid, they will be much more flexible and decentralised.
Home charging will always be the primary source for electric vehicle owners, but with 43% of them who do not have access to off-street parking, relying on their workplaces to provide them with a solution for their charging needs is the next best option.
There are a few legal requirements that businesses looking to develop electric charging infrastructure need to consider. They are:
Getting connected to the grid
The expected forecast of EVs in use in the near future could create an extra demand of 18GW by 2050, placing an additional strain on the grid that will need reinforcements on both the national and local level to meet the rising demand.
Although the additional transmission level costs are generally covered by the taxes charged on the electricity supply, any additional work required at the distribution level is passed on to the business installing the charging points by the District Network Operators (DNOs).
In certain cases, depending on the type of charger being installed and the existing capacity of the commercial premises, DNO consent may be required before installing one, or any number, of charging points to the electrical wiring on site.
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulations 2017
According to the alternative fuel regulations, electricity and hydrogen are being regulated to ensure that they are supplied to vehicles and ships all over the UK to minimise dependency on oil, and subsequently contributing to a low carbon economy.
They ensure that the various technical specifications for charging points are met according to the BSI standards, which include socket outlets and vehicle connectors, and that the customer experience standards are also met.
Consumer law
Businesses that plan on charging their employees and visitors for using their charging points need to ensure that their payment process complies with consumer laws.
Keeping with the requirements under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, the prices charged by commercial EV charging point operators must be reasonable and transparent.
Health and safety
The quality of the equipment and the expertise with which it is installed is crucial to how effectively an EV charging point will operate, which is why businesses need to pay special attention to the installation process.
The equipment needs to be manufactured according to the latest technical standards and the business owners must ensure that they receive manufacturer warranties providing evidence of its standard.
However, it is important to note that the responsibility lies on the charging point operators as much as it lies on the manufacturers/installers. Business owners may also be held accountable for any overlooked safety hazards that might put users at risk.
Therefore, businesses must understand the extent of their responsibility and choose the right chargers, a safe location to have the charging points installed, ensure they are used safely, and that all the risks are effectively managed.
Planning and property
Businesses with off-street parking can benefit from permitted development rights, introduced in 2011, where if certain conditions are met, they would not be required to take planning permission. Since then, many local planning authorities include development plans for fitting the wiring for charging points at a later date.
For wall-mounted EV charging points, a few of the conditions include the electrical outlet not exceeding 0.2 cubic meters and not facing or being within 2 meters of a highway. For upstanding EV charging points, their heights cannot exceed 2.3 metres in all areas except residential premises, where the maximum height is 1.6 meters.
CONTACT CALDER ELECTRICAL SERVICES
At Calder Electrical, we can install EV chargers for domestic and commercial premises in line with the current regulations and can offer a government incentive to reduce the installation costs.
We are authorised and registered OLEV installers and our charge points come with a 3-year warranty. We offer all kinds of different options to choose from such as wall-mounted to freestanding pedestal units, and with different types of chargers and charging speeds.
Contact us right away for our expert opinion and professional services!
Photo by Ed Harvey on Unsplash
