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Assessing your company's recharging needs
Survey your employees
To anticipate the need for charging stations in your workplace, it's crucial to start with an internal survey. Asking your employees about their electric vehicle (EV) habits and plans will provide you with concrete data on current and future demand. This will help you to correctly size your recharging infrastructure.
When interviewing your employees, target questions such as :
- Do you own an electric vehicle?
- Do you plan to acquire one in the next two to three years?
- Would you like to be able to recharge your car at work?
This proactive approach will enable you to better understand their expectations. According to recent studies, many employees see access to charging stations as an important retention factor. Indeed, a company that offers on-site charging can significantly reduce "range anxiety", one of the main reasons holding back the adoption of electric cars.
Feedback from your teams is essential, as it will help you not only to quantify the number of charging stations required, but also to determine their ideal location. For example, if several employees already own electric vehicles, you might consider a faster installation to meet their immediate needs.
As a leader in the field of charging stations and electric mobility for businesses, we know that this survey stage is key to ensuring that your investment is profitable and meets user expectations. By doing so, you optimize costs while reinforcing your commitment to the sustainable electrification of your fleet and that of your employees.
Estimating future needs
The electrification of corporate fleets is growing exponentially, and it's vital to anticipate this trend to better meet future needs for electric vehicle recharging. Indeed, forecasts indicate that by 2030, 50% of new cars sold in Europe will be electric. As a leader in electric vehicle charging solutions, we know that this transition needs to be carefully planned to meet the growing demands of your employees.
To anticipate future needs, it is recommended to plan for an increase of 5 to 10% in the number of employees using electric vehicles over the next five years. This means that, in addition to meeting current demand, it's essential to slightly oversize your infrastructure to avoid additional work in the medium term. What's more, companies at the forefront of the energy transition, such as yours, need to consider that the law on fleet electrification is imposing more and more constraints, particularly for company vehicles.
In addition to company cars, many employees are considering switching to an electric vehicle, provided they have access to charging at work. By integrating this dynamic into your business plan for the installation of charging stations, you position yourself not only as an employer concerned about the well-being of your employees, but also as a visionary company, ready to support the energy transition.
Finally, to be truly effective, it is advisable to install charging stations capable of evolving with fast-charging technologies, which will become increasingly popular in the years to come. This will enable your infrastructure to remain efficient and competitive in the face of future innovations in the electric sector.
Also read → All you need to know about maintaining charging stations on your premises
Choosing the right charging stations
Compare terminal types: AC vs DC
When considering the installation of charging stations in your business, it's essential to understand the difference between AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). These two technologies offer distinct advantages, and choosing the one that's right for you depends on the specific needs of your employees, your company's budget and the charging time available.
AC charging stations: for daily recharging at work
AC charging stations, also known as slow or semi-fast charging stations, are powered by alternating current (the same electricity used in household sockets). They are generally less expensive to install and ideal for longer recharges, such as when vehicles are parked for several hours, for example during the working day.
- Power : between 7.4 kW and 22 kW
- Recharging time : for a car with a 40 kWh battery, it takes around 4 to 8 hours to fully recharge.
- Ideal for : employees who stay in the office all day or make regular short-distance journeys.
- Cost: Less expensive than DC terminals, the installation of an AC terminal generally costs between 1,000 and 2,000 euros.
DC terminals: for fast, efficient recharging
DC charging stations, often referred to as fast-charging stationsconvert alternating current into direct current before sending it to the battery, enabling much faster recharging. They are particularly useful in environments with rapid vehicle turnover, such as for visitors or company vehicles that need to be available quickly.
- Power : between 50 kW and 350 kW
- Recharging time : With a 50 kW terminal, 80% of a vehicle's battery can be recharged in 30 minutes.
- Ideal for : company vehicles, short-term visitors or fleets requiring fast recharging.
- Cost: More expensive than AC terminals, DC terminals can cost between 15,000 and 50,000 euros, depending on power and installation.
| AC (Alternating Current) terminals | DC (Direct Current) terminals | |
|---|---|---|
|
Simultaneous charging capacity |
Can charge several vehicles with a shared charging station |
Charges one vehicle at a time at full power |
|
Impact on electrical infrastructure |
Requires standard electrical capacity |
Requires significant network upgrades |
|
Ideal frequency of use |
Daily use for long-stay employees |
Intensive use for fast turnarounds (visitors or fleets) |
|
Compatibility with different vehicles |
Compatible with most vehicles, especially via Type 2 |
Compatible with all modern vehicles, including long-range EVs |
|
Maintenance and durability |
Lower maintenance requirements thanks to simple technology |
More complex and costly maintenance due to high power output |
|
Network integration possible |
Easy to integrate into building energy management systems (EMS) |
Requires advanced management of charge distribution (smart charging) |
|
Brand example |
EVBox BusinessLine AC |
EVBox Troniq Modular or Total Energy solutions |
Terminals AC terminals offer an economical and versatile solution for everyday use, while the DC bollards are designed for environments requiring rapid recharging. We can help you choose the equipment best suited to your specific needs.
Investing in terminals tailored to your business
Choosing the right charging stations is a strategic decision for any company wishing to embrace the energy transition and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). It's not just a question of installing charging stations, but of selecting those that meet the specific needs of your business, your employees, and possibly your customers.
Adapt the type of terminal to your activity
To make the right choice, it's crucial to assess the frequency and duration of recharging. If your employees use their vehicles for daily commuting, and leave them parked for long periods (6 to 8 hours), an AC (alternating current)like theEVBox BusinessLineare ideal. They are less costly to install and enable gradual recharging to match working hours. This type of terminal is perfectly suited to companies with fleets of company vehicles or employees who spend all day in the office.
For companies with fast-moving vehicles, such as delivery fleets delivery fleets or visitors who only stay on site for a short time, DC (direct current) DC (direct current) are more suitable. These terminals, such as theEVBox Troniq Modularallow rapid recharging, considerably reducing vehicle downtime. They are more expensive to install, but offer greater flexibility and meet the needs of businesses with high frequency or fast-charging requirements.
For example, for a service company with long-stay employees, opt for AC terminals. These solutions are cost-effective and meet employees' day-to-day needs. On the other hand, delivery companies requiring fast turnarounds should consider DC terminals to reduce recharging time and maximize vehicle availability.
Preparing and installing terminals in your company
Anticipating infrastructure work
Installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in your company requires careful planning of infrastructure work. It's not as simple as plugging a charging station into a standard outlet; adjustments need to be made to the power supply, wiring and energy management systems. To ensure efficient installation, it's essential to anticipate this work to minimize disruption and additional costs.
Assessing the site's electrical capacity
Before any installation, you need to check that your building has sufficient electrical capacity to support the addition of charging stations. Charging stations, especially direct current (DC)charging stations, can consume a significant amount of energy. If several charging stations are to be installed, it is often necessary to upgrade the electrical installation or add transformers.
Working with a certified service provider
Charging stations must be installed by an approved IRVE (Infrastructure de Recharge pour Véhicules Électriques) installer. A qualified service provider can carry out a detailed analysis of the site, taking into account the location of the charging stations, access to the electrical grid and current regulations. This optimizes costs and avoids unpleasant surprises once the work has begun.
Optimize costs with existing infrastructures
To minimize costs, you can use existing infrastructures. For example, if your parking lot is equipped with or electrical conduits, this can simplify this can simplify installation and reduce civil engineering costs.
Our tips for efficient installation
- Plan ahead If you're looking for a future-proof infrastructure, you'll need to plan ahead to avoid having to redo the work in a few years' time.
- Prioritize strategic locationsPlace kiosks in areas accessible to your employees and customers.
- Integrate renewable energy solutions
Optimize installation and operating costs
Investing in electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is a strategic move that can be optimized to minimize costs while maximizing long-term benefits. As a company pioneering the transition to electric fleets and charging solutions, there are a number of levers you can take advantage of to reduce installation and running costs.
Take advantage of Beev's expertise and make your bollard installation project easier.
Reduce installation costs with financial assistance
The initial cost of installing a charging station can vary from €1,000 to €50,000, depending on the type of station (AC or DC) and the complexity of the work required. However, several support schemes are available to help finance such infrastructure. For example, the Prime Advenirmanaged by AVERE-France, covers up to 25% of the installation cost of installation costs for employee-only charging stations, up to a maximum of 750 per terminal. Local subsidies may also be available, as in some French regions, where grants can be as high as 1,500 per terminal.
Optimizing energy management with smart charging
Another way of limiting long-term costs is tooptimize terminal utilization. Thanks to smart chargingyou can adapt vehicle charging to times when the cost of electricity is lowest (generally during off-peak hours). This technology also makes it possible to distribute power between several vehicles, thus avoiding consumption peaks that could lead to additional costs.
Companies that opt for smart terminals can save up to 30% on their energy costs by reducing peak loads and optimizing load distribution. This approach also avoids costly upgrades to the electrical grid by effectively managing power demand.
Minimize operating costs with renewable energy
For a company concerned about its environmental impact, the integration of renewable energy sourcessuch as solar panels, can also offer significant savings. For example, the installation of photovoltaic photovoltaic shading over parking spaces enables electricity to be generated directly on site, reducing dependence on external energy suppliers and the associated costs.
Also read → Top 10 best charging stations in 2024
Conclusion
Installing charging stations in your workplace is therefore a key step in preparing your company for a more sustainable future. Not only does this project meet the growing need for electric vehicles, it also enhances your image as a responsible and innovative player. By following this practical advice, assessing your needs, choosing the right charging stations and optimizing installation costs, you can ensure a smooth transition to electric mobility while maximizing the profitability of your investment.
If you would like to know more about the charging station tax credit at 2024please consult our article on the subject.
