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With the top bestselling vehicle in 2023 in the world being an EV, it is no surprise that electric vehicles are taking over the globe in a big way.
Just a decade ago, EV car manufacturing and charging stations were fledging concepts with a huge question mark. However, thanks to consumer interest and a need to switch to reliable and renewable energy, EVs are surely here to stay.
Businesses are finding ways to leverage this interest and get in on the action by focusing on the charging end of the EV sector. After all, charging stations are what will make the switch to EVs more feasible for people who are on the fence about this technology.
Whether it is range anxiety or charging time woes, it is up to businesses to provide consumers with charging stations that are equipped to alleviate these concerns and turn traditional car drivers towards EVs.
However, charging stations are subject to depreciation which can affect the efficiency of charging. Even though this depreciation is not close to the maintenance costs of regular gas stations, EV stations do require periodic maintenance to extract maximum value.
In this guide, we will discuss the best practices for maintaining and managing EV charging stations at businesses and how business owners can extract as much value from their investment as possible.
If you already own a business, installing and managing an EV charging station on the premises can unlock its full potential.
In December 2020, 13,060 different locations had 20,656 EV public charging devices and 35,946 connectors installed in the UK. By January 2024, the UK had 53,677 public electric vehicle (EV) charging devices, which is a 45% increase from January 2023.
Even more, by March 2024, the number of charging points had increased to 59,590 across 32,322 locations, which is a 47% increase from March 2023.
These statistics should tell you two things:
In other words, there is no better time to get into the charging scene. Furthermore, it has become apparent that customers expect EV charging stations at businesses and the growth of EV charging stations is also proportional to the overall competition in this sector, which means that EV charging station owners need to always keep their stations in tip-top condition.
Keep in mind that efficiency is the primary focus at charging stations. Unlike gas stations where the flow rate of gasoline from the pump is almost identical to other pumps at the station, EV charging stations can have varied rates depending on the charging point, the overall load at the station, and the depreciation of the components of the charger.
There are primarily three main components for EV charging stations (compared to the several for gas stations):
The power supply unit is the main component of an EV charging station. This unit converts AC or DC voltage to the appropriate voltage for each charging hub at the station. A power supply unit works in the same way as the power supply for any piece of hardware.
Take laptop chargers as an example. The “brick”, also known as the power supply or charging unit of the laptop, converts the AC coming from the grid to the right “type” for the laptop. This ensures maximum efficiency and safety for the device.
In the context of an EV charging station, the power supply fulfils the same role, albeit at a much larger scale. Damage, depreciation, or faults in the power supply can not only cause a dip in efficiency, but in severe cases, it may theoretically also lead to damage at the charging ports.
The second component is the Control Unit, also known as the AC charge controller. While the power supply converts the AC input to the appropriate voltage, the charge controller regulates the current to ensure maximum safety during the power transfer from the outlet to the car’s battery.
This is an incredibly important component because it can quickly shut off electricity during a surge or if there is a problem within the components during the power transfer. A fault in this component may lead to damage to the outlet as well as the car!
Finally, the charging connector is the bridge that connects the EV charging outlet to the car. This connector comes in various forms depending on the geography and type of car. For example, the UK uses a Type 2 connector while the US uses the Type 1, AKA the SAE J1772 plug.
The connector is equally important as the other components in the EV charging system as it ensures a smooth and stable flow of current. This is especially important for super-fast chargers that carry high voltage loads to quickly fill up the battery.
The good news is that these components rarely malfunction and since they have no mechanical parts, apart from the plug, you will rarely see any significant breakdown of the components. However, efficiency can vary depending on the overall depreciation of the wiring, circuits, and/or plugs.
Here are the factors that you need to keep in mind to maintain and manage your EV charging station:
The best way to manage a successful EV charging station is to ensure that it has all the necessary hardware to sustain the load of the charging station at maximum capacity. As mentioned above, EV stations have a control unit that ensures that each charging port receives a stable flow of electricity to charge the vehicles.
However, if the load is too much, this might limit the charging speed and efficiency of the chargers. Think about it this way, when you fill a water bottle using a single tap, the bottle will fill quickly and efficiently, but when you want to fill multiple bottles at the same time then you would have to divide the same flow which will fill all the bottles but at a slower flow rate or speed.
For maximum efficiency and customer satisfaction, make sure that the charging station has higher capacity components that can help charge multiple vehicles at fast or regular charging speeds.
EV vehicles can have various types of plugs. This is especially true for internationally imported EV cars, like the ones from BYD.
Having diversity can not only help businesses manage EV stations more efficiently, but it can also increase the footfall for the business. Connector types like CHAdeMO, CCS, Tesla, and Type 1 and 2 plugs must be present at the station to attract as many customers as possible.
This diversity may increase the maintenance of the station, but the added sales will surely make the investment worthwhile.
Inspection and regular maintenance are very important for EV charging stations. Since these stations are dependent on circuits, wires, and other electrical components, it would be wise for business owners to opt for an experienced electric company, like Calder Electrical, to ensure that their station is running at maximum capacity and efficiency.
Keep in mind that problems with plugs and wires can be common, especially when people extend the wires or twist them in odd ways to connect them to their cars.
Electrical companies can not only effectively install charging components but also provide businesses with a maintenance schedule that can help them keep their business up 24/7!
Now that we know the best practices for maintaining and managing EV stations, let’s take a look at the best benefits of having a well-maintained and high-traffic EV charging station for businesses:
This one is a no-brainer. A great service will likely lead to repeat customers. As mentioned above, the number of charging stations is increasing every month which means there is more competition in the market.
Customers look for well-maintained stations for their charging needs. Since most people use EVs to commute to work, a lag in charging times can turn customers away.
Furthermore, you can also offer more services like car cleaning, tyre services, and waiting areas where customers can relax while their EVs are charging. Depending on the type of EV charger you have, the EV drivers may spend at least 20 to 40 minutes on your premises and are likely to explore your business’s offerings.
Already own a business that attracts a high footfall, then why not supplement it with a charging station?
For example, if you run a mart, you are likely to attract more EV customers just by having a well-maintained station on your premises! Shoppers will bring their cars with them, and if they own EVs, they will want the option to charge their cars while they shop.
Keep in mind that charging can take up to 20-40 minutes! This extra time can be used by EV owners to shop for groceries or explore other offerings leading to a far superior experience.
EV chargers can also be installed as a Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity. CSR policies revolve around ethical and sustainable business practices which include waste management, recycling, emissions, and environment-friendly best practices.
Workplace electric car charging points contribute to a business’s CSR and can 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.
Want to extract maximum value from your business? Then we recommend going with a modern parking layout that is centred around EV charging.
As mentioned above, having a diverse EV charging station at the business can significantly boost customer footfall. Even if customers don’t go in for shopping, they can use the free space in the parking area to charge their EVs.
As per current installation costs and estimates, an EV charging station can not only help you earn more from your premises, but it can also increase the Return on Investment to help you recoup the costs of the installation within a few years. It truly is a win-win for businesses that want to increase their revenue, brand image, and footfall.
The only prerequisite here is to ensure that the charging station is well-maintained and free from downtimes which are the leading cause of customer dissatisfaction in the EV charging sector.
EV chargers are available at different speeds and cater to different requirements – both domestic and commercial.
In the UK, there are 3 main types of EV chargers differentiated according to how fast they charge an EV.
EV charging speeds are categorised as either ‘slow’, ‘fast’, or ‘rapid/ultra-rapid’ chargers. Charging speeds can vary from 20 minutes (for an 80% charge) for rapid chargers to around a couple of hours for slow chargers!
Here are a few businesses that can benefit the most from a well-maintained and managed EV charging station:
At Calder Electrical, we install EV chargers in line with the current regulations and can offer a government incentive to reduce the installation costs for both domestic and commercial properties.
There are various chargers currently in the market and it can be a little confusing to choose the best one for your needs.
We will take out the hassle and provide you with the most suitable and affordable option, ranging from the standard systems to the smart ones that are becoming increasingly popular.
We are authorised and registered OZEV 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 with different types of chargers and charging speeds.
Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 3001 for our expert opinion and more information on maintaining and managing EV charging stations at your business.
Photo by Ernest Ojeh on Unsplash
