Last updated on July 12th, 2023 at 09:39 am
Today, the public’s priorities have changed. Many people, especially the younger generations, are tired of the rising cost and the negative impact of fossil fuels.
People are looking after the safety of the environment rather than roaring the streets with muscle ICEs. However, with the increase in popularity and EV sales, there is an increasing need for more commercial charging stations.
To this effect, hospitals, shopping centers, hotels, industrial properties, apartment complexes, and more may offer a commercial charging station.
Many businesses all over the world are adapting to this new reality. They are also looking into the possibilities of commercial EV charging. Consider a lot before investing in commercial charging station installation. No matter what you aim at, commercial charging stations come in various sizes and shapes and are profitable.
In this article, we will answer these typical queries: How do I go about installing a commercial EV charging station? What are the costs associated with installing a commercial EV charging station? What is the process for obtaining the necessary permits for a commercial EV charging station installation? Are there any government incentives or funding opportunities available for commercial EV charging station installations? How do I determine the best location for a commercial EV charging station at my business, what factors should I consider when choosing a commercial EV charging station provider, how do I ensure that my commercial EV charging station is Properly maintained, and more?
A thorough study of this guide would be helpful. Let’s get started!
3 Top Commercial EV Charging Station Manufacturers?
Due to the great value of using EVs, sales have increased dramatically worldwide.
If you are wondering about the 3 top commercial EV charging manufacturers, here you have them.
- Enel X
- Blink Charging
- Tesla.
Let’s explore them below.
1. Enel X.
This EV manufacturing firm has various products that make it easier for customers to access their commercial stations.
Enel X satisfies their customers with quality and comprehensive products such as plug-in and hardware EV charging solutions.
This company also installs commercial EV charging stations in various places such as restaurants, campuses, hospitals, and others. They produce and use Level 3 chargers in their commercial stations.
One advantage this manufacturing company has over the others is that it offers incentive programs that work to put cash back in its customer’s hands.
The introduction of the JuiceEco program permits customers to offset emissions created while charging their EVs in Enel X stations.
EV owners can also earn JuicePoints in Enel X station at an optimal period when the cleanest energy is on the grid.
Most customers have got their products from Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home voice assist. They also have a better manufacturer warranty of about three years than others on this list.
2. Blink Charging.
Blink Charging, located in Miami Beach, Florida, US, is a manufacturer and supplier of EV charging equipment.
Blink Charging is a leading national EV charging company that uses high technology to charge EVs around the country.
Its main aim is to promote commercial EV charging stations with quality EV charging equipment.
Blink charging uses its cloud-based software to maintain, track, and operate its EV charging stations.
With about 15,000 commercial charging stations in the US, Blink charging is in parking garages, shopping malls, institutions, airports, and other places.
Blink manufactures a prime Level 2 charger used in the Best Commercial Charging Station for the convenience of the customers. You can count on them for commercial charging station equipment, software, and installation services.
3. Tesla.
This manufacturing commercial EV, charging station company is in Palo Alto, California.
It is a sustainable energy, electric vehicle, and technology corporation. Tesla EV chargers are efficient with high charging speed.
However, Tesla’s commercial EV charging station holds about 60 to 75% of the market.
They produce a different EV charger other than the standard J1772 plug. Their Wall Connector is for Tesla vehicle chargers only.
As regards, ve commended Tesla for optimal charging efficiency and capacity compared to non-native models. Tesla has installed over 4500 commercial charging stations and more than 30 000 superchargers worldwide.
Their advantage over the others in this section is that their supercharger network is the best, as you can travel without restraint.
Tesla also has free, over-the-air software Connectors in all their commercial charging stations to guarantee consistent performance.
The downside of Tesla as a manufacturer is that their stations are for Tesla vehicles. You can purchase their products like Wall connectors from Tesla with two years warranty. Remember that Tesla station is among the best commercial charging station I will recommend, at least for now.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Commercial EV Charging Station?
Installing a commercial EV charging station cost depends on the type and number of the charger. Considering the kind of charger, a Level 2 charger commercial EV charging station would cost about $30,000 to $120,000.
Similarly, a Level 3 station would also cost about $40,000 to $200,000. Hence, the number of chargers would determine if the cost would be more or less. Remember you should also consider other factors cost, such as maintenance, site preparations, and permits before installation.
9 Best Commercial EV Charging Station Installation companies
ChargePoint
ChargePoint is an outstanding electric charging station company with a global network of EV charging stations. With one account, you can charge your car from anywhere with their hardware, cloud services, and 24/7 support – making them one of the premier EV charging companies in North America and beyond. They’ve installed over 60,000 charging stations and delivered more than 145 million charges. Furthermore, ChargePoint is ENERGY STAR-certified which helps reduce GHG emissions.
Tesla
Tesla is a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) industry and one of the largest charging companies. They offer smart charging solutions for residential, commercial, and retail uses, including regular and superchargers. There are currently over 40,000 Tesla Global Superchargers and 35,000 wall connectors located around the world.
ABB
ABB is a pioneering EV charging infrastructure company with solutions for industrial fleets, commercial fleets, heavy-duty trucks, buses, and more. Their residential options range from 3 kW to 22 kW, while public charging options offer 11-24 kW destination chargers or up to 360 kW high-capacity chargers. Plus, they’ll be releasing Vehicle-to-Grid EV chargers in 2023!
Cyber Switching
Cyber Switching has been providing electric vehicle charging solutions for over 10 years, serving residential, industrial, and commercial markets. Their flagship solution is the CSE1: a level 2 EV charging station designed specifically for commercial use with power capacities from 3.5 kW to 11.5 kW. Furthermore, they offer smart controller solutions which help reduce electrical infrastructure costs. They have collaborated with over 190 organizations, including HP, Adobe, and the City of San Francisco, on projects.
Shell
Shell has established itself as one of the top electric vehicle charging companies, providing home, business & retail, and on-the-go charging options. They currently operate 90,000 charging points with plans to add another 50,000 by 2025.
Siemens
Siemens is a world-class EV charging company with cutting-edge software and high-performance infrastructure for companies, fleets, utilities, and end customers alike. Their smart chargers optimize all charging aspects to improve performance while cutting costs. Their products include the Level 2 AC Wallbox Versicharge and DC fast charging option SICHARGE D.
EVBox
EVBox provides hardware and software for retail EV charging, private parking, and business charging applications. Their products range from DC fast chargers to charging management software, certifications, and more – all designed with your success in mind.
How Do I Go About Installing A Commercial EV Charging Station?
If you are considering installing a commercial EV charging station, you should do the following.
- Consider your site and analyze your aims, power source, and security.
- Have an infrastructural plan as required by law as you purchase quality equipment or materials.
- Consider procurement of utility assessment grants of 90%. Doing this will help relieve you of construction costs.
- Consider the safety of your environment as you integrate it into your plans.
- Have proper and complete paperwork from local, state, and Environmental Protection Agencies.
- Consider installation once your paperwork is approved. However, make your station the Best Commercial EV Charging Station as you apply for a rebate.
The above should be helpful as you go about installing a commercial EV charging station.
Read on to learn more!
What Are The Costs Associated With Installing A Commercial EV Charging Station?
The costs associated with installing a commercial EV charging station include the following.
- Power management
- Charger Type (Infrastructure)
- Software
- Soft Cost.
However, understanding these expenses would help you to make an adequate budget for the Best Commercial EV Charging Station.
Do well check a breakdown in the table below.
| Features. | Cost Associated |
| Power management | Power management costs about $4000 to $5000 or more. |
| Charger-type (infrastructure) | Level 2 would cost between $2000 to $10,000 each. At the same time, Level 3 chargers would also cost $10,000 to $40,000 each. |
| Software | You are most likely to spend at least $300 annually. |
| Soft Cost | It involves permits and other expenses. It could take about 5% of your overall budget. |
What Is The Process For Obtaining The Necessary Permits For A Commercial EV Charging Station Installation?
Obtaining permits for a commercial EV charging station installation can be straightforward.
Do check out the simple steps below.
- Fill Out the Permit Application.
- It is vital to fill out information such as your building location, type of building, and overview of the electrical system. Your electrical contractor should do this for you.
- Submit Plans For Installation: Including load calculations and an electrical diagram as you submit the building plan is also better.
- Doing this would indicate that the electrical system can operate safely with the chargers.
- Hire An Electrical Contractor For The Installation Process: To ensure safety, employ the services of a certified electrical company or contractor.
- Schedule Inspection: Your residential jurisdiction would send an inspector to ensure that your EV charging station meets the required building codes.
- A rescheduled inspection will also come into play if any issues should arise.
- Contact Your Utility Company If Necessary: If there are any changes to the electrical infrastructure, ensure to contact the utility company.
After the above steps, you will have your commercial EV chargers installed.
To this end, you can create revenue or apply for government rebates to recover the cost of installation. Do have one of the best Commercial EV Charging Stations.
Are There Any Government Incentives Or Funding Opportunities Available For Commercial EV Charging Station Installations?
Of course, yes! There are government incentives for commercial EV charging station installation. The tax credit of up to $100,000 is for EV charging stations completed after 2022.
This information is according to Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit under the Inflation Act.
However, there has also been a previous tax credit of 30% of the costs of up to $30,000 by the government. Remember that these incentives may vary depending on the period or country of residence.
How Do I Determine The Best Location For A Commercial EV Charging Station At My Business?
In any business, location is always an essential factor.
So, when determining the location of a charging station, the distance between the electrical panel and the charging station is considered.
A longer length would increase the need for trenching and wiring, thereby causing a rise in installation costs. Your business should aim at minimizing space as much as possible.
Below are other tips for the best location for your EV charging station.
- Your location must have building entrances around it.
- The location of your commercial EV charging station should be a high pedestrian activity area.
- Your location must have vehicle accessibility.
- Your location should also have a garage for parking.
- Your location should have access to a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
- Finally, your location should be a well-lit area with clear signage.
Remember that a quality charging provider should conduct an in-depth site analysis before determining which location best fits the criteria.
Do check the Best Commercial EV Charging Station.
What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing A Commercial EV Charging Station Provider?
If you seek an ideal commercial EV charging station, you would consider factors such as.
- Convenience of Service
- Cost of service
- How Fast It Charges
- Intensified Security Systems
- Power Efficiency.
Let’s explore these factors below.
The Convenience of Service.
A charging station located in an unconducive environment would not attract anyone.
However, commercial EV charging providers should be able to install their stations in an area with parking spaces close to business entrances.
The convenience should include visibility and accessibility for drivers to locate the station without hassle.
Cost of service.
On the other hand, the cost is a vital factor to consider. Although, more than 40% of EV owners would love to charge in commercial stations at a lower price.
Commercial EV stations should have a cost-efficient mechanism since the government has provided them with some incentives. Good price policies attract EV drivers so much!
How Fast It Charges.
Charging speed plays a vital role in choosing a commercial EV charging provider.
In this regard, customers are usually time-poor and want things done quickly. So, it is critical to consider the type of charger and how you will dictate the need for speed.
Intensified Security Systems.
Human and vehicle security is a thing consumers would always think of, but technically it is the most important.
So, reliable and effective systems should be critical for customer safety.
Power Efficiency.
Today, EV owners have become environmentally conscious and would demand chargers that are more efficient in power supply.
Commercial stations with Level 3 chargers will offer greater energy efficiency than Level 1 & 2 chargers.
How Do I Ensure That My Commercial EV Charging Station Is Properly Maintained?
Understandably, charging points are costly, depending on your requirements for your business.
For this reason, ensuring that your commercial EV charging station is in the best possible condition is vital.
In a scenario where you have a new commercial EV charging station or you are intending getting one installed, here are a few helpful maintenance tips.
- Use A Trusted Installer
- Consider A Yearly Safety Service
- Take Potential Issues Seriously.
Let’s have some details on each of them below.
Use A Trusted Installer.
Realistically, this isn’t a maintenance procedure, but it is worthwhile to mention. If a reliable installer does your commercial charging station, then you can trust that the risk of future issues will be minimal.
Consider A Yearly Safety Service.
It is beneficial to have an annual safety test to ensure that you pick up minor issues before they become damaging. Regular testing and servicing can keep your charge points and other facilities operational.
Take Potential Issues Seriously.
If you have issues with your charging points or other vital equipment, you should get an expert to look at them.
Have it at heart that overlooking potential matters would result in significant damage. It would be best if you employed maintenance techniques such as predictive, preventive, and corrective procedures.
Conclusion.
Finally, EVs will be the future of the automotive industry. It is coming sooner than you would think, in any case!
Installing a commercial EV charging station puts your business further toward a greener outlook for the environment.
Considering the manufacturers such as Tesla, Blink charging, and Enel X, you would be glad to get the real deal for your quality equipment.
If you want to install a new commercial station, consider the above factors as a guide.
Making a better profit in your charging station business would also require maintaining your charging points for your customers’ safety. Be sure to have the best Commercial EV Charging Station.
Do well to share this insightful write-up with others!
Reference
- Property Manager Insider
- EVBox
- Top 20 electric Vehicle Charging Station Companies
- Bob Vila
- How to get a permit for a commercial EV.
- Government Incentives
- Factors to consider when choosing a commercial EV charging location.
- Factors to consider when choosing the best commercial EV charger.
- 3 General Tips for looking after your EV commercial station.
- Best Location to Install an EV Charging Station.
- Commercial EV charging station cost.
- ANS Charge Company
Uchenna is a Radiographer and Auto parts mechanic who recently got his automotive diploma as an auto repair technician, and since then, has worked on fixing various car problems.
Working as just a radiographer, Uchenna didn’t just get all the fulfillment he desired, because he truly loved doing things tilted toward cars. As a kid, he would take apart his toy cars to see how they worked and would spend hours tinkering with his bike.
So, in 2017 he made the tough decision to become an auto mechanic. He threw himself into his studies and now loves every aspect of what he does.
He gets to work with his hands, solving problems and bringing cars back to life, and sharing his knowledge and easy quick-fix guide online are all part of what makes him feel fulfilled.
