Top 5 factors to consider when adding EV charging

By 2030, more people will be purchasing electric vehicles than gas-powered ones, according to this year's report from the Boston Consulting Group. Travis helps company leaders understand how investing in EV charging can position them to succeed as more of their clients and employees transition to EVs.

 

Travis Walker
Business Development Manager
North America

Travis became fascinated with renewable energy and its positive impact on the planet and businesses during his tenure at the nation's leading residential solar company. His current role at EVBox brings him immense satisfaction as he removes barriers that hinder progress and empowers people to achieve their full potential.

If you're considering adding EV charging to your location, Travis suggests starting by understanding these five key factors:

1. Reliability

The biggest obstacle preventing gas car drivers from switching to EVs is what Travis refers to as "range anxiety." Drivers often worry whether they'll find a working charger when needed or if it will be compatible with their vehicle.

This is why reliability is crucial. As a business, it's vital to invest in a charger that works with all types of EVs — such as the new EVBox Iqon Level 2 charger. This universal compatibility ensures that you cater to all EV drivers, rather than excluding some. Additionally, it's important to check the charger's track record: does it have a reputation for dependable performance or frequent breakdowns? Choosing a reliable charging station from a reputable company with excellent customer support is essential, Travis emphasizes.

2. The right number of charging stations

In order to accommodate EV drivers, the ideal ratio is one public EV charging station for every four EVs on the road. However, there are currently not enough EV charging stations in the U.S. to meet the growing demand, with a gap of 300,000 charging stations that is expected to grow to 1.3 million by 2025.

To determine the appropriate number of chargers for your location, research the gap in your area: how many EVs are being sold in your city or state? Compare these numbers to maps of nearby EV charging stations. If you're an employer, conduct a survey to find out how many employees own EVs, plan to buy them, or would consider purchasing one if they knew they could charge at work.

EVBoxers are available to guide you on the optimal number of charging stations for your site, taking into account your location and your business needs.

“A general guideline I’ve been discussing with my clients is that if you have more than 100 parking spaces, you should aim to dedicate at least 10% of them to EV charging,” Travis explains. “If you don’t build that level of infrastructure, you might face challenges down the road, with EV drivers seeking alternatives and businesses losing out on potential revenue from charging these drivers.”

As more people switch to EVs, locations offering sufficient and reliable charging, including shopping centers, restaurants, and workplaces, become destinations that drivers regularly visit.

Just as gas car drivers often plan their commutes to pass gas stations, EV drivers seek out routes and locations in their communities that offer accessible charging stations.

“If you’re one of the first in your market to provide enough charging stations for people in your area, you can claim ownership of the space and attract EV drivers by telling them: ‘Come park and charge here.’ You’ll notice that people will adjust their routines just to visit your EV chargers,” Travis says.

3. Station placement

The decision about where to place EV charging stations comes down to two factors: power and visibility.

Charging stations need to be close to a power source to minimize installation costs. “The closer you can get the charging station to the power source, the better,” Travis notes.

Your EV parking spots also need to be highly visible so drivers can easily spot them upon arrival. Gas car drivers just need to see that you have parking, but EV drivers need to know immediately upon arrival that they can charge while they park, shop, or visit your business.

Placing EV charging stations prominently at your location not only signals to customers and visitors that you’re environmentally conscious and forward-thinking, but it may even encourage gas car drivers to consider an EV for their next vehicle.

4. Network flexibility

Some charging companies require you to use and stay with one type of network provider. Others, like EVBox, offer flexibility. With Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) interoperability as a core feature of all EVBox charging stations, including the new EVBox Iqon, users can choose the best hardware and software combination for their needs and change their EV charging network anytime without replacing the hardware.

Choosing a “software agnostic” brand like EVBox can save you time, hassle, and money, Travis says. Without being locked into one company’s software, you avoid being held hostage if their service no longer meets your needs, their fees increase, or the company goes out of business. You can simply switch to a new software platform without needing to install new charging stations.

Allowing customers to choose among different software vendors fosters competition in the market, driving innovation and keeping prices fair. The freedom and flexibility that OCPP interoperability offers is so important to EVBox that we are a founding member and the first certified hardware manufacturer of the Open Charge Alliance.

5. Long-term value

To maximize the value of your charging stations, Travis recommends considering the durability and longevity of the brand you choose. A charger needs to withstand all sorts of weather conditions and continue functioning safely even after taking a hit.

EVBox Iqon boasts a rugged, weatherproof exterior with a steel and aluminum construction that makes it shockproof as well.

Another way to think about long-term value in EV charging is through the lens of longevity — both in the product itself and the company you purchase it from, Travis says.

At EVBox, Travis joined a company that had already equipped its hometown of Amsterdam with a comprehensive network of public EV charging stations. Over the past decade, EVBox has installed more than 200,000 charging ports worldwide, including in the U.S. and Canada. With the new Iqon, EVBox has developed a flexible and user-friendly charging station designed to meet the needs of your customers, guests, and employees for years to come.