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For any customer considering installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at their commercial property, there’s one very big question that inevitably arises: How much does a commercial EV charging station cost? Like many other types of investments, the actual cost of implementing an onsite EV charging solution depends on many factors. Let’s explore them so you can ultimately make the best decision for your business.
First, it’s important to understand the differences among the various EV chargers on the market. EV charging stations come in three types, each with their own power requirements, charging speeds, and driver applications.
This basic level of charging utilizes a standard 120-volt household power outlet and provides the slowest charging rate. A Level 1 charging station grants a driver around 5 miles of range for every hour the vehicle is plugged in. This type of charging is more conducive to residential applications versus commercial and is most suitable for drivers who have short commutes and can charge their car every night while they sleep.
Level 2 charging stations typically operate on a 240-volt power supply, offering a much faster charging experience compared to Level 1. These stations are commonly found in commercial settings, including parking lots, shopping centers, office buildings, and anywhere else a driver may need to replenish their vehicle while away from home. Drivers typically can get about 25 miles per hour with a Level 2 charger, making it more ideal for the average user.
Also known as DC Fast Charging, Level 3 stations enable rapid charging sessions. They require much higher voltage and generally can provide a range of 200 miles per hour of charging. Many commercial EV charging installations include a mix of both Level 2 chargers and Level 3 chargers to accommodate drivers who plan stay parked for a while as well as those who are in a hurry.
Next, let’s start to breakdown the cost of a commercial EV charging station. Like most big purchases, it’s best to understand the cost of an EV charging station not as a single fee but as a sum of component costs.
Customers may also opt to coincide additional projects with an EV charging installation that further enhances the parking experience on their property, such as repaving lots or building a new parking structure.
Now that we’ve unpacked the elements that make up the overall cost of a commercial EV charging station, let’s explore some of the factors that determine what that overall cost will be.
So, when it’s all said and done, how much will installing EV charging stations on your property actually cost you? It’s not a cut-and-dry answer. The exact cost will vary from project to project based on the factors we reviewed above — and the first step to gaining clarity is to conduct a thorough EV charging project assessment.
The point of an EV charging project assessment is to gather information about your site and your EV charging needs. You’ll want to start by getting copies of your electrical plan and past utility bills, and then determine who will be using your chargers (employees, customers, fleet drivers) and how many vehicles you anticipate hosting on the property at any given time. An experienced EV charging provider can work on this assessment with you and then begin to outline a proposed EV charging solution.
Not only can PowerFlex assess your property for EV charging stations and plan the design for your system, we handle everything else including construction, permitting, incentive applications, and asset management. But where PowerFlex really excels versus the competition is our ability to reduce installation and operating costs.
Our intelligent energy management platform, PowerFlex X™, uses patented Adaptive Load Management® algorithms to optimize EV charging and eliminate spikes in facility energy consumption that can trigger expensive peak demand fees from the utility. ALM also allows customers to deploy a large number of charging stations without the need for expensive electrical system upgrades — saving customers up to 60% on implementation costs.
Contact us today to start planning your commercial EV charging project.