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EV charging points are quickly becoming a value-added service provided by medium to large-sized businesses. With EVs trending around the globe, it’s no surprise that you are likely to see more and more charging stations pop up around your vicinity.
For commercial businesses, installing an EV charger is a win-win because not only can it attract new customer segments, but it can also improve the brand image of a business and increase the footfall and the time customers spend at your store.
EV charging points are designed to require less maintenance than typical gas stations because they involve fewer mechanical components. Instead, EV charging stations put more emphasis on the electronic components which are designed with several fail-safes that protect the system from wear and tear.
However, there are a few maintenance tips that you can use to maximise efficiency and ensure the longevity of the system.
In this guide, we will highlight some important best practices for maintaining EV charging stations and how charging station owners can get the most out of their installations. Read below to learn more!
For business owners, installing and managing an EV charging station can truly impact their business in a significant way.
According to statistics, by January 2024, the UK had 53,677 public electric vehicle (EV) charging devices, which is a 45% increase from January 2023 – and this number is expected to rise month over month! For example, in March 2024, the number of charging points had increased to 59,590 across 32,322 locations, which is a 47% increase from March 2023.
It is no surprise that with the rise of EVs around the country, the EV charging business is expected to grow exponentially as well. The good news is that just like any other trending industry, the competition in this space is also likely to increase, which will give way to new charging technologies and components that can significantly improve charging experiences for consumers.
Customer demands are also changing. In the last decade, people have gone from being on the fence about EVs due to range anxiety and charging times to now being open to the idea of investing in an EV due to its convenience, environment-friendliness, and low maintenance costs. Of course, a big reason for this change is due to the availability of chargers in convenient locations!
Charging and battery technology have improved significantly over the years. Today, you can charge your EV at 80% in about 20 minutes using an ultra-rapid charger. Furthermore, people who have a dedicated parking space at home can also charge their vehicle overnight using a slow but more affordable EV charging point at home.
People’s perception towards charging is changing and they don’t mind spending time at charging stations to charge their vehicles because most EV owners tend to go to businesses that offer charging ports. This way, they can charge their cars while they run errands and by the time they are back, their car will be sufficiently charged.
Here are some of the most common types of commercial EV chargers that you can usually find at charging stations and businesses:
Maintenance is crucial for EV chargers. Here are some tips on how you can increase their longevity and efficiency:
First things first! To get the most out of your EV charger installation, you need to ensure that you use the right infrastructure and installation company to get your project up and running.
This means that the charging station will require adequate hardware that can sustain and handle the load of the charging station when all the outlets are in use at the same time. This is referred to as the maximum load, so if you have two or three chargers at the station, the components must be able to handle the full load without causing disruption or a drop in the transmission rate.
To save costs, you may be able to get away with a load balancer which is a component that simply divides the maximum load by the number of chargers installed, in which case, the transmission rate will be affected. For example, if all charging ports are engaged and all of them are fast chargers, then the load will be equally divided – while this may result in slower charging speeds, it will greatly decrease the load put on the station and increase its longevity.
If you run a high-end business, then it is recommended that you provide maximum efficacy for your customers. In other words, each charging port must deliver its maximum current to provide stable and fast charging without disruption.
While most of Europe uses the three-pin 13-amp Type 2 (AC) or CCS-Type 2 (DC) charger plug, you can be sure that you will have customers with imported EVs from other regions that require different plugs.
For example, EVs produced by BYD, a Chinese EV manufacturer, are gaining a lot of popularity due to their lower pricing and better overall features. Some of these cars use different charging plugs. The good news is that most charging stations provide a variety of plugs to cater to a wide demographic of EV owners.
If your station has several plug varieties then you can manage the station more efficiently and get a better Return on Investment on your EV charger project as well. 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.
Here is a rundown of various charger types required by region:
| Plug Name | Region | |||
| Japan | China | America | Europe | |
| Plug Name (AC) | Type 1 – J1772 | GB/T | Type 1 – J1772 | Type 2 |
| Plug Name (DC) | CHAdeMO | GB/T | CCS-Type 1 | CCS-Type 2 |
AC chargers operate at lower power levels and are usually great for slow or overnight chargers. Whereas DC chargers offer higher power levels and are ideal for fast or ultra-fast charging. Please note that the cost of installing AC and DC chargers can vary since both these charger types require different components.
Just like any other electrical installation, EV charging stations also require regular inspection and maintenance.
EV charging stations run on electrical equipment and some of these equipment can be quite sensitive. However, since the operation of EV charging stations is so heavily dependent on electricity, manufacturers use the highest standards and follow the best practices set by the British Standards to produce fail-safe and foolproof components that can handle a variety of loads so long as the system is operated as per the specifications.
Regardless, regular maintenance is a good idea because it can help detect problems in the system that can jeopardise the safety and efficiency of the EV charging station. Another point to note is that the charging cords (the wire that runs from the charging hub to the car) are also prone to twisting which can over time cause the casing of the wire to tear or break.
If you opt for a certified electrical installation company like Calder Electrical, then you can be sure that your station will be running at 100% efficiency 24/7. Professional electricians can perform an audit of the station and provide you with an in-depth and detailed report about the overall health of your station.
Technicians can also help you provide solutions and figure out the best way to tackle smaller issues before they become major concerns. You can also go for a maintenance contract (recommended) to ensure that your EV charging station will automatically be maintained and managed by a professional company using a maintained schedule.
There is an interesting phenomenon with EV charging stations. People are learning to develop charging etiquette! Unlike gas stations that have a gasoline delivery hub on either side, EV charging hubs can be placed in several ways.
For example, Tesla uses an arch design for its hub and places it facing the customers with the charging cords on each side of the arch. While this is a cool and futuristic design, it can make things complicated, especially for cars that have charging ports on different sides.
According to a study, the right rear is the most common place for a charging port on your car, with 37% of vehicles on sale configured this way in the UK. While 28% have the port at the left rear, followed by the left front (21%). So, these charging hubs can make it tricky for different cars to charge at the same time with different configurations.
Eventually, people will have to use etiquette to move over to a different spot to make room for different cars to charge at the station. Here’s a video by popular tech reviewer MKBHD explaining this problem.
One way EV station owners can manage this problem is by setting rules and tips for the station and putting up boards to inform people about the most efficient way to charge their EVs together. If you leave the charging configuration to the customers, then it is likely that the charging station may see a lot of depreciation in equipment, as explained in the video by MKBHD.
Due to the nature of EV chargers and their dependence on sensitive electrical equipment, business owners must keep a close eye on the charging station and its overall health frequently. If you notice a problem in the system, then it is best that you contact your installation company or a certified electrical company like Calder Electrical to look at the system and fix all the known issues before they jeopardise the charging experience for customers.
Another important point is to look out for customer feedback. If you receive complaints about the charging time or efficiency of the chargers, then it would be a good idea to investigate the problem ASAP before customers begin to turn away from your station.
If you are convinced about investing in an EV charging station at your business, then congratulations, you have taken the first step towards the future. Here are a few requirements that you need to keep in mind when installing an EV charging station at your business premises:
This new requirement, which came into effect in June 2022, is to increase the number of residential and commercial EV charge points in the UK.
The UK has taken on an ambitious but highly commendable task of banning gasoline vehicles by 2040! This is why the government is actively making legislation and incentivising the installation of EV chargers around the country. Experts believe due to government support and the popularity of EVs, it is expected that around 145,000 EV charge points will be installed every year in England.
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 at 0800 612 3001 for our expert opinion and more information on maintaining EV charging stations at your business.
