Workplace EV charge points are quickly becoming essential for all industries. In 2020 more than 108,000 electric vehicles were sold in the UK, despite the impact of the pandemic.
According to research, hybrid and electric vehicles now account for 10% of all new vehicle registrations in the UK. The increase in electric vehicle sales indicates that the UK is well on its way to reaching the Government’s goal to ban the sale of new combustion-engine vehicles by 2030.
What Does the Increase in Electric Vehicle Sales Mean for Your Business?
Due to the favourable benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax changes, more companies are investing in electric company cars. Soon your workforce will be filled with EV drivers too. That’s why it makes sense to start exploring your different workplace EV charge point installation options while government funding remains available.
Understanding EV charge point installation doesn’t need to be a hassle. Below we’ve provided a helpful guide to workplace EV charging to simplify your installation experience. So without further ado, let’s get started.
How Many EV Charge Points Do You Need?
The number of charging points your workplace needs depends on a number of practical factors. You must consider the type of charging units you need, the number of electric cars your workforce has, the number of parking bays available on your premises, and your installation budget.
Once you know who will be using your workplace EV chargers and the type of charge point their vehicle needs, it will be easier to develop a practical installation plan and budget. Not all employees that own electric vehicles will be making use of office charging. Some may choose to commute to work using public transport or choose to use their home-based wallbox EV chargers. But this does not mean you should opt for fewer charge points.
When it comes to workplace EV charge point installation, it’s best to be forward-thinking. Installing additional charge points would reduce future installation costs, and they won’t remain idle for long, given the ongoing growth in demand.
What Speed Should Your Workplace EV Charge Points Be?
When it comes to workplace charge points, faster isn’t always better. The right charge point speed for your workplace will depend on the type of electric vehicles used and your EV charging power supply.
A 10-minute charge on a 7kW charge point can provide an electric vehicle with 5 miles of charge. A 150kW charge point, on the other hand, can provide up to 100 miles of charge within the same time frame.
However, faster chargers do not come cheap. A 7kW charge point that charges two vehicles simultaneously could cost you roughly £4,000, while a 150kW unit could cost more than £100,000. The faster your charge point, the more electricity it will use, increasing your energy expenditure.
EV installation experts suggest installing a mix of charge point units. Having different charge point units of different speeds makes provision for a wider range of vehicles and allows for greater flexibility while being cost-effective too.
Are There Any Government Grants Available for Workplace Charge Point Installations?
The Government’s Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant can help you cover the upfront costs of purchasing and installing workplace charge points.
The grant is limited to £350 or 75% of the costs per socket and is available for installations of up to 40 sockets per company. The sockets are not limited to your premises, allowing different company sites to be eligible under the same grant application.
For example, if you applied for grant support for 10 sockets, you would still be able to apply for additional funding in future, provided that the total sockets do not exceed 40. However, your claim must only include the installations you are currently undertaking. The grant cannot be reused, even if the number of sockets installed on your premises is fewer than the number specified on your application.
To prevent future confusion and disappointment, it’s essential to plan effectively and get application assistance. An experienced EV installation company, such as Applegarth, can help you decide on the number of charge points you should install and navigate you through the application process.
Why Should You Choose Applegarth for Your Workplace EV Charge Point Installation?
Choosing the right installation company is as important as choosing the right type of workplace EV charge point. The installation company you choose should be OLEV-approved and experienced with different types and brands of EV chargers.
Applegarth is a UK Government accredited EV charge point installation company. Our expert services are available across Wirral, Liverpool, Chester, Cheshire, and the rest of the UK. We are also the preferred installation company for many charge point manufacturers.
If you need assistance with your WCS grant application or need to choose the best workplace charge point installation for your business, we can help. Contact us on 0151 649 8350 or email us at info@applegarth.co.uk to find out more about our services.
