As the demand for EV chargers continues to rise, maintenance and facility managers need to be proactive in meeting that demand. With increasing government initiatives and company ESG goals, EV chargers will likely be part of facility management going forward. Whether it’s a matter of accommodating staff and visitors or investing in a fleet, managers need to be aware of what’s involved as they move into the future.
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The big picture
As part of the decision-making process, managers need to involve all relevant team members to provide data and feedback. Gathering information from staff, construction managers, local electrical contractors, and procurement departments can help managers make informed decisions about usage, costing, and scope of work.
The research
In some cases, permits will need to be obtained for your project, so looking into local regulations ahead of time can help you set reasonable timelines. Similarly, there may be government incentives available, so doing the research can help cut costs and ensure that you fulfil any governmental conditions to apply for any possible rebates. Depending on where you’re located, rules and requirements may vary. For example, Ontario has recently rolled out a connections process to simplify commercial EV charger installation, as a step to simplify and standardize installation projects for facility managers.
Research the equipment and the installer too. Often, chargers are only under warranty for two years, so it’s important to choose wisely.
The cost
Once you’ve determined the estimated number of users and volume, deciding on the amount and type of EV chargers (level one, two, or three) to install is the next step, along with analyzing the electrical capacity of your site. Understanding the demand will help determine whether the existing infrastructure will support the electrical capacity required for future chargers.
Other factors like length and amount of conduit, battery storage, need for generators, adding solar, and costs for the additional power will also factor into the project cost. Additionally, installation can really drive the price up as the distance from your building increases, or a trench needs to be built through the parking lot to bury the cabling.
The benefits
EV chargers are no longer a futuristic concept. Along with lowering your carbon footprint and helping to achieve ESG goals, investing in sustainability has been credited with increased employee satisfaction, better productivity, and higher employee attraction and retention rates, while helping you stand out from the competition and align with customer values.
