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EV technology is on the rise, and with global competition and technical breakthroughs, EVs have never been more attractive or affordable in the history of the world!
Just like the cost of solar energy, EVs are expected to become even more mainstream, which means that you can expect them to become even cheaper – and with international players like Chinese manufacturer, BYD, competing with global giants, you can be sure that EVs are going to take over a significant market share in the automobile sector in the coming decades.
Another faucet of EVs is their charging stations and accessories. EV chargers have become ubiquitous with several companies investing heavily in EV charging infrastructure to push the overall demand for these vehicles.
However, thanks to economies of scale and the tax incentives around EVs, we are also seeing a rise in large-scale EV charger installation projects.
EV chargers can be categorised into different scales: Small-scale chargers can be sufficient for charging one or two “light battery” EVs like electric bikes, or even small cars like the BYD Dolphin or the Volvo EX30.
However, for large-scale EV charger installations, you might want to think about equipment, charger types, charging speeds, costs, and location.
So, if you are planning to invest in an EV charging installation then this guide is just for you. Read below to learn more about the essentials of how to plan and implement a large-scale EV charger installation project and some best practices to get the most out of the installation.
The demand for EVs has risen dramatically over the decades, and as we move towards a greener tomorrow, you can expect EVs to take over gasoline vehicles slowly but surely, at least in the context of demand.
EV chargers can be installed anywhere such as in homes, offices, and public places. This versatility makes them an excellent choice for people who want to pursue any type of EV charging project.
If you wish to have an EV charger installed in your domestic or commercial property, you may have a few questions in mind such as:
Let’s take a step-by-step look into each question and begin with the installation itself.
Here are some important steps for large-scale EV charger installations:
EV projects, especially large-scale ones, require quite a lot of research beforehand. Since these projects tend to cost a lot, you should begin the project with a preliminary assessment.
Make notes of the different aspects of your project. Begin by assessing the scope. How large do you expect the project to be? What are your expectations from the project? And how do you expect to fund and execute the project?
These are just some of the important questions that you need to ask yourself before going ahead. We recommend that you prepare a comprehensive written plan for the project and list out the scope so that you can easily share your ideas with a professional installation company.
Professional installers, like Calder Electrical, have blueprints for all kinds of successful EV projects, but to make your project unique and customised, you will need to explicitly share your plans and expectations with the installation company to get the most out of the project.
Once you have drawn out a preliminary plan for the project, shortlist the top locations for your large-scale EV charger project.
A suitable site will be the main determining factor in the success of the project. If you pick a location that is inaccessible or not frequented by EV vehicles, then the project will likely fail.
However, if you pick a suitable location that provides easy access to EVs and the grid, you will not have to worry about the longevity and success of the EV charger project.
If you want to go completely green and use solar energy to fuel your chargers, then you will also have to account for sunlight and other factors like battery storage, equipment placement, and more.
When it comes to EV chargers, there are three levels:
For large-scale projects, it’s best to go with a combination of either two or all three chargers for the most value. For example, smaller vehicles can use level 1 chargers and don’t have to unnecessarily use up space that could’ve been used for larger vehicles.
Furthermore, it’s also important that you consider the types of connectors for the chargers. There are several types of connectors such as CHAdeMO, GB/T, CCS-T1, and CCS-T2. In the US, you are likely to find CCS-Type 1 chargers while European chargers use CCS-Type 2 connectors.
We highly recommend that you discuss your needs and expectations of the project with a professional installation company like Calder Electrical so that a panel of expert installers can help you get the most out of the project.
Large-scale projects are capital-intensive! Not only will you need initial seed money for your project, but you will have to keep a steady cash flow to keep the project running smoothly. Since EV chargers exclusively use electricity, there is bound to be some depreciation of electrical components.
You can also expect some wear and tear with the plugs and cables, especially if the charging cables are extensively used and stretched or bent repeatedly.
All these things may result in steady fixed costs that will be needed to run the project successfully and sustainably. We recommend that you prepare mock financials for your project using the approximate financials of other successful EV charger projects.
This way, you can get an idea of the initial and recurring costs that you can expect for your project. Make sure that you budget for at least a couple of years so that you secure your large-scale EV charger project for the long term!
This might be the least problematic part of your project. Due to global warming and growing concerns over the use of fossil fuels, governments are providing several incentives to people who are willing to invest in solar or EV infrastructure.
This means that instead of facing friction, you are likely to find a positive experience when it comes to following the compliance and regulatory requirements for large-scale EV projects.
However, make no mistake! The process may be straightforward, but the requirements are quite strict.
You will typically be required to provide details about the installation which includes its location, facilities, relevant building, and business documents and, in some cases, you may even have to submit a thorough report (environmental impact assessment (EIA)) that highlights the positive impact that the project may have on the environment.
EV installation may seem easy but it’s far from plug and play! EV charger projects require quite a lot of technical expertise. Furthermore, teams that have previously successfully installed EV chargers are far more likely to perform better than technicians who haven’t done extensive EV-related work.
For example, installing the connectors, plugs, and general infrastructure that enables charging cannot be done by a mere electrician. A team of experts is usually hired for such jobs because of their complexity.
Since EV chargers are available at different levels and have widely different voltage requirements, they need to be methodically installed by professional installers.
This is why we recommend that you find a team of experts that can provide you with not just experienced technicians, but also advice to help you execute your project in the best manner possible.
When going for large-scale EV charger projects, it’s also advised that you go all the way and outsource the work to a company. This way, you can bring your vision to life without wasting time and resources.
The team can also work closely with you, and you can be a part of the installation process by providing input where required.
Once you have the permits and regulatory requirements and have finalised the site selection, you can begin executing your project. As mentioned above, working with a team isn’t just advised, it is mandatory since large-scale projects are capital extensive and you don’t want to ruin anything by going the DIY route.
By working with a professional installation company, like Calder Electrical, you can also map out a maintenance schedule for your large-scale EV charger installation project.
Keep in mind that anything that runs on electricity is bound to accumulate damage over time. This damage can cause several issues related to the charging efficiency of the chargers. Furthermore, damage to the plug and general wear and tear can also cause unwanted disruptions.
This is why you will need to create a thorough maintenance plan to help you run the project smoothly. We recommend following the schedule provided by the installer for the best experience.
The total installation time will depend on the scope of work and the size of the project. For example, a typical EV charger outlet can take up to 2-3 hours to install and test. However, since large-scale projects may require additional building and charging infrastructure, you should expect anywhere from 2-3 months or more.
We recommend discussing your project and sharing all the specifications with an installation company to get an estimate for your project.
The price of EV charger installation can start around £1000 – £1500, depending on the number of chargers installed, the type, and other installation specifics such as cables, fixtures, etc.
Like the EVHS for domestic properties, businesses can be eligible for the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), which is a voucher-based scheme that helps with the up-front costs of installing a commercial charging point for businesses and organisations eligible for it.
It enables businesses to claim £350 per charging point installed to a maximum of 40 across all sites and even includes a single unit that incorporates two charging ports so you would be eligible for a grant of up to £700 for this.
To qualify for the WCS, you must meet the following requirements:
Most businesses provide free-of-cost charging to their staff as an incentive, some have a time-based rate where the users are required to pay based on the amount of time they have used the EV chargers, and some offer free services for a particular time (minutes or hours) and a fee after that to encourage employees to not hoard the chargers and give others a chance as well.
Here is a useful guide for the average charging speeds for large-scale EV charger installation projects:
Rated at 3kW – 6kW, these chargers can take around 5-8 hours to fully charge an EV or around 12 hours (or longer) for EVs with bigger batteries.
Slow chargers are suitable for off-hours, like nighttime. In other words, slow chargers are great for overnight charging.
Fast chargers are the most common type of EV chargers in the UK. Rated at 7kW – 22kW, the 7kW charger takes about 3-5 hours to fully charge an EV, whereas a 22kW plug would get you from 0 to 100% in just a couple of hours.
These are the go-to chargers for most large-scale EV charger projects and are suitable for domestic and commercial use.
Bring on the speed with rapid chargers! These chargers come in AC and DC variants and are by far the quickest way to charge EVs.
Rated at a whopping 43kW – 50kW of power, they can charge standard EVs to about 80% at around 30 minutes to an hour. For larger vehicles, you can expect up to 1.5 hours.
Rapid chargers work in the same way as the chargers for your phone. They charge quickly to about 80% and then switch to “trickle charging” where the speed is reduced to protect the battery from damage and to prolong its life.
The DC variant of rapid chargers is even faster! You can expect ultra-rapid chargers powering at 150kW – 350kW.
These types of rapid chargers are often found near highways or other secluded areas where you need a quick charge.
We, at Calder Electrical, have been providing electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties for over 40 years and are specialists in all aspects of electrical installations, maintenance, and testing.
We are authorised and registered OZEV installers and our charge points come with a 3-year warranty. We can install and maintain EV chargers for domestic and commercial premises in line with the current regulations and can offer a government incentive to reduce installation costs.
We offer all kinds of different EV charger options to choose from such as wall-mounted to freestanding pedestal units, and from fast charging to rapid charging units.
Depending on the size and demand of the premises, our experts can help assess the best EV charger solutions from the best brands for your business’s needs.
We can also offer a PAYG (Pay-as-you-go) charging system and token-fed chargers with features focused on both the user and operator. This is something a lot of businesses are looking at currently as the market for EVs and EV chargers increases year after year.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 3001 for a quick consultation with our leading industry experts and more information on EV chargers and EV charger installation.
