Legal obligations for employers
The law imposes measures to guarantee employees better access to recharging stations. Employers are also required to comply with regulations concerning the installation of charging stations for employees.
The Mobility Orientation Act (LOM)
Since the Loi d'Orientation des Mobilités (LOM ) came into force in 2019, significant updates have been made to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in companies. The law now imposes specific obligations on companies, particularly those with parking lots of a certain size:
- Climate and Resilience Law (2021 ): this law has strengthened obligations for companies in terms of electric mobility. As of January 2023, all companies with parking lots of more than 20 spaces must provide recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Newly-built parking lots must also be equipped with at least 5% charging stations.
- European Directive on Infrastructure for Alternative Fuels (AFID): updated in 2023, this directive imposes stricter standards for recharging infrastructure, including minimum requirements for the power of charging stations and their accessibility. Companies must now comply with these new standards for new installations and upgrades.
- Subsidies and grants: the French government continues to offer subsidies for the installation of charging stations via programs such as Advenir. In 2024, eligibility criteria have been extended to include more SMEs and VSEs, with increased subsidy amounts to encourage the transition.
Should employers install charging stations for their employees?
Any building renovated with a parking lot of more than 10 spaces must provide for the installation of charging stations, in line with the requirements of the updated LOM law. Employers must also ensure that existing infrastructures are updated to meet new European directives. Companies must ensure that installed charging stations are accessible to the public outside working hours, which is encouraged by recent legislation to maximize the use of charging infrastructures.
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Pre-equipment to anticipate the installation of charging stations
Pre-equipment is a measure required by law. It consists of installing the infrastructure required for installation of charging stations for electric vehicles. This operation prepares the company parking lot to receive one or more charging stations, in the short or longer term.
This approach includes :
- technical ducts,
- electrical cables,
- meters,
- circuit breakers,
- electrical outlets required for the installation of charging stations.
The aim is to facilitate the subsequent installation of charging stations for employees and visitors to the company with electric vehicles. It also encourages the use of electric vehicles.
Companies can call on specialist service providers to install these infrastructures. For example, companies such as Beev for example, offer turnkey solutions for theinstallation of charging stations and pre-equipment.
The pre-equipment of all new buildings for which planning permission has been requested since January 1, 2017 has also become a legal obligation with the decree of July 13, 2016.
It should be noted that the law on energy transition for green growth in 2015 extended the pre-equipment obligation to certain existing buildings. This is in addition to the previous regulation requiring all new buildings to be pre-equipped.
| Parking lot type | < 40 places | > 40 seats |
|---|---|---|
|
Commercial |
10% of parking spaces
|
20% of parking spaces
|
|
Industrial
|
10% of parking spaces
|
20% of parking spaces |
|
Service public
|
10% of parking spaces
|
20% of parking spaces
|
|
Commercial complex/ cinema |
5% of parking spaces |
20% of parking spaces |
What are the benefits for you as a company?
Installing charging stations at work not only meets legal requirements, but also offers economic and environmental benefits. Companies can benefit from tax deductions and an enhanced corporate image by demonstrating their commitment to the energy transition and sustainable mobility.
Financial benefits
Installing charging stations is a major investment for businesses. According to EDF, the installation of a Wallbox charging point cost between €1,000 and €2,000 on average. For the installation of an ultra-fast recharging system, the cost climbs to easily reach €10,000..
What is the Advenir program?
To encourage this ecological transitionas an SME, you can benefit from the Advenir program. Launched in 2017 byADEMEthis incentive supports companies wishing to install charging stations.
In partnership with local authorities and energy companies, this program combines energy-saving certificates (and public subsidies to support mobility. Advenir offers a comprehensive package tailored to the needs of each project. The long-term aim is to support the energy transition by financing 120,000 charging points by 2025.
How much does the Advenir program cost?
The amount of the subsidy is calculated for each project on the basis of an aid rate that varies according to the type of parking lot, with a ceiling ranging from 600 € à 960 000 € per charging point:
- 50% up to a maximum of €2,200 to €960,000 (excl. VAT) per recharging point for private parking facilities for truck fleets,
- 30% up to a maximum of €1,000 to €2,700 (excl. VAT) per recharging point for a private parking lot open to the public,
- 30% up to a maximum of €1,000 (excl. VAT) per recharging point for a private parking lot open to the public (intermediate target),
- 20% up to a maximum of €600 excl. tax per recharging point for fleets and employees of short-term rental companies.
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The special regime governing the valuation of the benefit in kind (AEN)
The question ofhe valuation of the benefit in kind (AEN) for the cost of recharging electric vehicles in the workplace is a subject of concern to both employers and employees. Prior to the introduction of this scheme, which runs until December 31, 2024, an employer's contribution towards the cost of recharging an electric vehicle constituted a benefit in kind. It was subject to income tax for the employee. This raises the question of how this benefit in kind should be taxed.
Fortunately, to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and promote the energy transition, the French government has introduced a 50% allowance to be applied to the benefit in kind corresponding to recharging costs borne by the employer. The limit is 1,800 per year. This measure reduces the tax impact for employees who use their electric vehicle to get to work, and who benefit from a recharging point paid for by their employer.
Please note, this NEA reduction only applies to charging at the workplace and does not take into account the use of the charging station for personal or professional purposes outside working hours. This measure limits abuse and ensures that only charging costs linked to the professional use of the electric vehicle are taken into account when calculating the benefit in kind.
In short, this scheme is an effective solution for encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles in companies, reducing the tax impact for employees while contributing to the energy transition and the fight against climate change.
PLEASE NOTE: FROM JANUARY 1ᵉʳ, 2025, FREE CHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AT WORK WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES.
Transport cost savings
Installing charging stations for electric vehicles can benefit your business by considerably reducing your transport costs. However, it's not necessarily the most obvious solution.
There are several black spots that can discourage small businesses:
- high purchase costs for charging stations,
- high installation costs for charging stations,
- limited battery life of electric vehicles for employees on long journeys.
On the other hand, the installation of charging stations for your business has its advantages. It enables your employees to use exclusively a clean mode of transport, which is less costly to purchase fuel and maintain than combustion-powered vehicles. Recharging an electric car costs 3 to 4 times less than the price of fuel.
Also read → The profitability of an electric car
A better employee experience and an enhanced employer brand
Offering electric vehicle recharging on your site has many advantages for enhancing the employee experience.employee experience.
Saving time to optimize the employee's day
Employees no longer have to make a detour to refuel on their way to or from work. Recharging their electric vehicle can be done while they're working, saving time and optimizing their day. For example, if an employee has to go to an external meeting, he or she won't have to stop to refuel before leaving. By offering this convenience, the company can increase employee satisfaction and strengthen their loyalty to the company.
A competitive advantage for attracting talent
What's more, offering electric vehicle charging is a competitive advantage for the company in terms of employer branding. Companies that offer tangible benefits to their employees are considered more attractive to potential candidates. In this way, offering electric vehicle charging is an additional argument for attracting talent, particularly those sensitive to the subject of sustainable development.
Also read → Sustainable mobility in the regions: challenges and solutions for tomorrow
A win-win initiative for companies and their employees
Finally, this approach encourages employees to come to work in person, by offering a practical solution for recharging their electric vehicle during the day. In short, offering electric vehicle recharging in the workplace has many advantages for the company. By reinforcing its brand image, it improves employee satisfaction while reducing travel-related costs.
In short, for businesses, installing electric vehicle charging stations on their site can bring a number of advantages, such as :
- optimizing working time,
- improving brand image,
- cost reduction.
So it's important to make companies aware of these advantages and encourage them to offer electric vehicle charging to their employees.
Also read → Electric cars: solutions to enhance your employer brand
More effective CSR
By implementing a sustainable development policy, the company demonstrates its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) AND and its desire to provide concrete solutions. In this way, it plays an effective part in reducing its environmental footprint (lower CO2 emissions) by offering charging stations at its employees' workplaces.
Also read → How can CSR help green a fleet?
Conclusion
Installing charging stations for electric vehicles in the workplace offers a number of advantages for both companies and employees. Companies can :
- promote sustainable mobility,
- save on energy costs,
- attract and retain employees.
Employees can save time and money, enjoy peace of mind and save on fuel costs. By taking these steps, companies can contribute to a cleaner environment and promote sustainable development.
For more information, we've put together a guide to this topic to explore the different aspects in depth:
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Are you ready to take the plunge and enjoy the benefits that charging stations can bring you? Contact our experts Beev if you have any questions. We'll get back to you within the hour.
If you would like to find out more aboutaid for the installation of charging stations for businesses in 2024please consult our article on the subject.
