Are you considering adding EV chargers to your outdoor maintenance plan? As the demand for sustainable practices continues to grow, many companies are looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint and up their commitment to the environment.

Maintaining your property means offering your staff and guests amenities to attract them to your facility, along with leaving a lasting impression, and adding EV chargers to your facility can have several positive effects on your business.

Increase sustainability

Making it easier for guests and staff with electric vehicles to visit is a step in the right direction – and it may even encourage your staff to go greener when you lead by example. Installing chargers at your business shows your commitment to the environment, and it might lead to other green initiatives in your building. For example, once the chargers have been installed, maybe it makes sense to start to switch over your equipment to electric versions to save money while you’re saving emissions.

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Attract talent

In today’s labour market, many people are now aligning themselves with companies whose mission and vision are compatible, and sustainability is at the top of many people’s priorities. Studies show that candidates are looking to join companies they are proud to work for, and over one-third of candidates would turn down a job from a company with poor environmental practices.

By providing EV chargers for your staff and guests, you may be attracting talent that will be compatible with your business. This can also help with retention, as many people will stay with a company that supports them with initiatives like increased sustainability. Prioritizing things that are important to your team will help you attract like-minded candidates and hold onto employees that align with your business values.

Grow your business

Similarly, companies like doing business with other companies with the same values, so when you make your commitment to green initiatives known, you may well attract companies with the same priorities, broadening your network and expanding your bottom line.

EV chargers can also become an additional revenue stream. You may decide to charge a nominal fee (by the hour or by the day) for use, to help offset the costs of installation and boost your margins. You may decide to charge a separate fee for guests and a lower fee for your staff as n employee perk, while still paying back the investment and adding revenue.

Getting it right

As you are deciding on whether EV chargers make sense for your business, it’s important to consider all factors before you forge ahead. Ask the following questions to determine the feasibility of going forward:

• What is the cost of the project? Is there a way to spread out the costs over more than one fiscal budget to make it more reasonable?
• Is there enough demand from employees? Ask them about the level of interest and usage. How far do they commute, and do they come in every day?
• Do you have enough parking space to add chargers and electric vehicle spots? This may also be important if you are looking to use these chargers for your equipment and vehicles.
• If you don’t own your building, will you need permission to install chargers?
• Can your facility support the potential demand for electricity?
• Will you charge for the use of the chargers to cover operating costs?
• Consider the infrastructure, too. Do you prefer RFID or credit card access, and what measures will you need to take to offer those options?

Grow into the future

Investing in innovation like EV chargers not only demonstrates your commitment to sustainability but also a forward-thinking approach to your business. Stay ahead of the curve so you can take advantage of future innovation and continue to boost your building’s sustainability practices.