Commercial EV Charging Points for Staff: A Smart Business Investment
The world of transport is changing. If you look around your office car park in Nottingham or Derby, you will likely see more electric vehicles (EVs) than ever before. For business owners, this shift presents a unique opportunity: installing commercial EV charging points for staff.
Providing EV charging is no longer just a "perk" for high-end tech companies. It is becoming a standard workplace requirement. In this guide, we will explore why your business needs to invest in EV infrastructure, the different types of chargers available, and how commercial EV charging points for staff can actually save your company money in the long run.
Why Should Your Business Install EV Chargers?
Installing charging stations is a significant project, but the benefits far outweigh the initial effort. Here is why the best commercial EV installers are currently in such high demand:
Attract and Retain Top Talent: Employees today value sustainability. Offering free or subsidized charging is a powerful incentive that makes your workplace more attractive to modern professionals.
Tax Benefits and Grants: The UK government often provides grants (such as the Workplace Charging Scheme) that can cover a portion of the commercial EV charging points cost.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Reducing your company’s carbon footprint looks great on annual reports and helps build a "green" brand image that clients and customers respect.
Future-Proofing Your Office: With the UK moving toward a ban on new petrol and diesel cars, your staff will eventually all be driving EVs. Installing the infrastructure now prevents a massive headache in five years.
Types of Commercial EV Charging Points for Staff
When you consult with commercial EV charging installers, they will help you choose between different "Levels" of charging. The right choice depends on how long your staff stays at the office.
Level 2 Chargers (7kW to 22kW)
These are the most common for workplaces. They use AC (Alternating Current) power and can fully charge a car in 4 to 8 hours. Since most staff members are at their desks for at least 7 hours, these are the most cost-effective and practical solutions.
DC Rapid Chargers (50kW+)
These are much faster, capable of charging a car to 80% in just 30 minutes. While these are great for "fleet" vehicles that need to get back on the road quickly, they are often overkill for standard office staff who are parked all day.
Universal vs. Tethered
Tethered: The cable is permanently attached to the charger. This is convenient but only works if the car matches the plug type.
Universal (Socketed): The staff member brings their own cable and plugs it into the station. This is often preferred by businesses because it looks neater and supports all car models.
The Installation Process: What to Expect
A professional commercial EV charging installation involves more than just bolting a box to a wall. It is a technical electrical project that requires expert knowledge.
Site Survey and Load Balancing: An electrician from Urgent Electrical Services will check if your building’s main power supply can handle 10 or 20 chargers running at once. If not, "Smart Load Balancing" technology is used to distribute power evenly without blowing a fuse.
Groundworks and Cabling: This may involve digging small trenches in the car park to lay heavy-duty armored cables.
Mounting and Connection: Chargers are mounted either on the office wall or on dedicated "pedestals" in the middle of the car park.
Software Setup: Most commercial chargers come with an app. This allows you to track who is charging, how much energy they are using, and even charge them a small fee to cover the electricity costs.
