Electric car charging points for businesses
The UK Government has introduced a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate stipulating that car manufacturers’ sales must include a minimum percentage — 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035 — of zero-emission vehicles.
As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) rises, more businesses are installing car charging points. If you’re wondering about the benefits of EV business charging points, available workplace schemes, and the practicalities of charge point installation and maintenance, you’re not alone. Join us as we uncover all this and more.
Benefits of electric vehicle charging points for businesses
Although companies are not legally required to provide charging points, installing them benefits businesses and employees considerably.
Futureproof your workplace
At the end of June 2024, EVs comprised 19% of all new car registrations. As EV popularity continues to grow, it is integral that businesses get ahead of the curve to satisfy future demand.
Additionally, many towns and cities across the UK are introducing clean air zones (CAZ). Drivers of commercial and private vehicles that don’t meet specific emission standards must pay a daily charge to drive into CAZ zones. Cities with existing clean air zones include:
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Bradford
- Bristol
- Portsmouth
- Sheffield
- Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead)
As this list continues to expand, businesses can help employees avoid charges by encouraging EV ownership and providing workplace charging points.
Improved environmental credentials
With the UK working towards a net zero initiative by 2050, all businesses must consider their current and future carbon emissions. A proactive approach to sustainability gives businesses a competitive edge, builds brand trust, fosters customer loyalty, and enhances reputations.
According to a study conducted by KPMG, a third of Gen Z workers have rejected job offers due to a company’s poor green credentials. Appealing to younger job seekers means your business can reap the rewards of hiring the best up-and-coming talent.
Increase employee satisfaction
Free or subsidised workplace charging stations provide convenience for EV-owning employees while boosting morale through cheaper running costs. While some EV owners still experience range anxiety, increased charging point accessibility helps reduce the fear of running out of charge on the journey to and from work.
Generate revenue
While public charging often comes at a premium price, most companies offer discounted charges for their employees. If you install electric car charging points at your business, you could at least offset the initial cost and then generate additional revenue by billing visitors or employees when they charge their electric vehicles at work.
Businesses looking to charge employees should define a billing model, which can be broken down by the hour, kilowatt hour (kWh), or a flat rate (often through a subscription model). Most companies charge by kWh, which offers greater transparency for workers.
How many electric car charging points does a business need?
The number of charging points your business needs depends on various factors, including business size, location, opening hours, and number of employees. Get a good gauge of what you might need by considering the following:
- Charging point types: Alternating current (AC) charging points deliver between 3.7kW and 22kW. A 3.7kW can recover between 15 km and 20 km of range per hour, while a 22kW terminal can recover up to 150 km per hour.
- Future charging needs: EV sales are increasing yearly, meaning employees are more likely to purchase them in the future. Survey employees to see how many are considering buying an EV.
- Monitoring systems: Monitor charging habits to determine how your employees use your charging points. Consider a booking system to record usage.
Does my business need planning permission for EV charging points?
Ground-based EV charging points (ones typically found in car parks) do not usually require planning permission, but you must have off-street parking and own the land. Additionally, each electrical outlet and casing must not:
- Be within two metres of a highway
- Be within a site designated as a scheduled monument
- Be mounted higher than 1.6 metres from a level surface
- Be within the curtilage of a listed building
- Share more than one charging point per parking space
- Exceed 2.3 cubic metres
As with ground-based EV charging points, wall-mounted chargers do not typically require planning permission if you have off-street parking and own the land. The chargers must not, however:
- Face onto or be within two metres of a highway
- Be within a site designated as a scheduled monument
- Be within the curtilage of a listed building
- Exceed 0.2 cubic metres
If your business operates within a listed building or a conservation area, you must obtain planning permission from your local authority for both ground-based and wall-mounted chargers.
What are the business costs of electric vehicle charging point installation?
Business car charging points usually cost around £1,000 to £1,500 plus VAT per outlet. As you can imagine, the price varies depending on the charger model, features, foundations, and number of chargers required.
You must also consider installation costs, which vary depending on your requirements and how the electricity supply will reach the outlets. For example, wall-mounted chargers are cheaper than ground-based chargers as they don’t require underground cables.
Is my business eligible for the workplace charging scheme?
Two workplace charging schemes are available to offset the initial costs of installing EV chargers.
- Workplace Charging Scheme: Offers a 75% discount or a maximum of £350 off the cost of purchasing an EV charge point socket for up to 40 sockets. It is available to public sector businesses, charities, and for-profit and small accommodation businesses.
- Workplace Charging Scheme for State-Funded Educational Institutions: Provides a 75% discount or a maximum of £2,500 off the cost of purchasing and installing an EV charge point socket for up to 40 sockets across all sites. It applies only to state-funded schools and educational institutions.
Both schemes are open for applications until 31 March 2025 and require an OZEV-authorised installer to carry out the work.
How much maintenance do EV charging points require?
Manufacturers recommend servicing each charging point at least once per year to maintain optimal performance. Although charging points have limited mechanical parts, electrical faults can occur due to weather conditions, improper use, and tampering. Signs of a faulty EV charging point include:
- Visible external damage
- Slow charging times
- Low voltage levels
- Exposed wiring
Most suppliers offer maintenance packages at the point of purchase, so explore and compare maintenance options when shopping for a supplier. If you want to learn more about EVs and how they might benefit your business, contact a member of our team to explore our leasing options.
