EV Charging Solutions for Parking Facilities: 7 Things You Need to Know

If you own or operate a parking facility, installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is a no-brainer. Onsite chargers attract EV drivers and encourage them to use your parking lot or garage — increasing your customer base and providing an additional revenue source in the form of charging-station fees.

EV charging in parking facilities also provides an effective way to boost your sustainability and regulatory compliance, not to mention customer satisfaction. With advanced upgrade techniques, you can optimize the commercial and environmental benefits of EV charging stations while minimizing cost and effort.

Of course, there are factors to consider and prepare for any time you make upgrades to your facility — and the same goes for installing EV chargers. Considerations include building codes and regulations, keeping up with local charging demand, revenue opportunities, and more. Let's explore the top 7 things you need to know.

1. Building Codes May Come Into Play

State, county, and city building codes and other mandates may apply to your proposed EV charging project. Be sure to research recent ordinances that may require a certain percentage of your parking spaces support EV charging. When doing so, you should note the difference between an "EV capable" and "EV ready" installation.

EV capable means that there is electrical infrastructure that could be hooked up to a charger, while EV ready provides an outlet or panel that is ready for a charger installation.

Here are just a few examples of EV-friendly building codes around the country:

• California's CALGreen building code mandates that all new multi-family dwellings designate 10% as EV capable.

• In New Jersey, newly constructed multi-family developments with 5 or more units must designate 15% of off-street parking as EV "make-ready," spaces which have been pre-wired for EV charging stations.

• Orlando EV Readiness Ordinance requires 2% of all new parking spaces be equipped with EV charging stations, and 10-20% be EV capable.

Even if your area hasn’t adopted similar codes for parking facilities, you should strongly consider designing your EV charging project with them in mind to future-proof your property.

2. Be Aware of EV Charging Regulations

EV charging station regulations touch on several important factors, and compliance is essential. Failing to comply can result in hefty fines, in addition to shouldering the expense of retrofitting your property to bring it up to code. Awareness of your local regulations and even regulations that may be enacted in the near future is essential for any property with public or residential parking. Being prepared to comply with these regulations will ensure long-term success and help you stay ahead of the game.

Regulations might cover:

• Signage that identifies the charging station and/or that the parking space is for EVs only  

• Displaying fees upfront for public EV charging

• Operational standards

• Payment methods and cost calculations

• Accessibility requirements for EV parking spots

The EV charging signage and parking regulations in the state of Washington are a good example of how other states may regulate EV charging in the future, and what you should prepare for. Be informed about changes to accessibility regulations too, and use current regulations as a guideline to ensure at least some percentage of your EV charging spots comply with accessible parking design.

3. Planning for Local Demand Is Key

Electric vehicles have become widely popular across the U.S. In 2023, nearly 1 in 5 cars sold were electric, totaling 1.4 million sales (up from 930,000 in 2022).

It’s extremely important for parking facilities to meet the local demand for chargers as more and more people drive EVs. Charging stations increase EV range, provide peace of mind, and in some cases are more economical than charging at home. By providing EV charging stations, you attract the growing population of EV drivers to park in your facility.

When developing your EV charging strategy based on your location, be aware of factors like:

• The number of EV drivers in your community or customer base

• Whether traffic flow supports fast top-up charging or longer refills  

• Other charging opportunities in the area

4. Consider Infrastructure Requirements

Regardless of whether you're installing Level 2 chargers or Level 3 (DC Fast Chargers), you'll need to consider electrical system capacity. The two types of chargers have very different power requirements that need to be accounted for. Level 2 EV chargers require a 208- or 240-volt circuit while Level 3 chargers may need anywhere between 400 and 1,000 volts.

If a property is unable to accommodate the added power demands of EV chargers, upgrades to the electrical infrastructure may be necessary. However, the PowerFlex X™ energy management platform can help you avoid or minimize the need for electrical service upgrades through Adaptive Load Management® (ALM). ALM leverages patented algorithms to dynamically balance power between chargers and eliminate large spikes in demand, creating a better charging experience for site owners, drivers, and the power grid.

5. EV Charging Creates Revenue Streams

EV charging represents a new income source for any parking facility. In addition to charging drivers to park at your facility, you can levy a nominal fee to use charging stations. Fees are typically based on a per-kilowatt-hour rate, allowing you to charge for the total amount of electricity consumed by each vehicle.

This allows you to not only attract new customers who drive EVs, but also generate additional revenue by providing a "fuel up" service for their electric vehicles. It’s essential for facility owners to implement a EV charging billing system that fits their business model, as well as adopt a user-friendly payment and pricing model that will minimize customer friction.

6.  Large-Scale Installations Are Possible With the Right Provider  

Parking facilities have the most to gain from large-scale EV charging installations. With the right partner, you can install a large number of EV charging stations, achieving both electrical and financial efficiency in the project. PowerFlex has implemented many large-scale EV charging installations, including the installation of nearly 1,300 chargers at LAX and over 415 chargers across the City of San Francisco.

Case Study: Los Angeles International Airport

LAX implemented a wide-spread technological upgrade with sustainability goals. This involved the construction of a massive new Economy Parking Structure in which 37% of its 4,300 parking spaces would offer EV charging. Partnering with PowerFlex, they installed 1,242 Level 2 chargers and 16 Level 3 (DC Fast) chargers with $500,000 in rebate savings from"Charge Up LA!", an incentive program from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Case Study: City of San Francisco

As part of San Francisco's ambitious goal of zero emissions by 2040, EV charging must become widely available to support an incredibly dense population of electric vehicle drivers. To reach that goal, San Francisco partnered with PowerFlex to install over 140 Level 2 EV chargers across the city, with special rates for city employees and fleet vehicles.  

What's more, PowerFlex installed 15 Level 2 EV charging stations for a new municipal office building. With the help of PowerFlex X and Adaptive Load Management^®, EV charging is intelligently managed to eliminate spikes in facility energy consumption that can trigger expensive peak demand fees from the utility.

7. Solar Parking Canopies With EV Chargers Can Boost Sustainability

In addition to installing EV chargers on each level of a parking garage, facility owners can install a solar parking canopy on the top level.  

A solar parking canopy (also known as a solar carport) can passively generate renewable electricity throughout the day, helping you offset your grid consumption and cut down on electric bills. The energy generated by the solar panels can also help power the EV charging stations below, creating further savings.

A large spread of solar carports not only generates electricity but also provides cover both for EV and non-EV parking spaces. In this regard, solar carports are a customer amenity, as they offer shade from the sun during summer months and shelter from inclement weather like rain and snow. Solar arrays are also a highly visible example of corporate sustainability and can help foster a positive opinion of your parking business in the minds of drivers.

Partner With PowerFlex on Your EV Charging Project

Are you considering upgrading your parking facility with electric vehicle charging stations? Whether you're excited about attracting EV drivers, making good on sustainability goals, or the opportunity for new revenue, PowerFlex will help you understand and account for all the necessary considerations.

Contact PowerFlex today to learn how you can get started with an EV charging solution for your parking facility.