Summary
Strategically offering free EV charging stations to customers can boost your brand reputation and revenue. This article examines the benefits of free EV chargers and how businesses can leverage the investment to increase customer loyalty and gain a competitive edge over others in the industry.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Businesses are rapidly recognizing the advantages of providing free EV chargers on their premises. By offering EV chargers for corporate use, businesses can better attract and retain customers, tenants, and even workers, increasing income.
However, establishing free EV charging stations is more than just putting a unit in your parking lot. The strategic placement of EV chargers is critical to increasing business appeal and ensuring long-term profitability.
This article explores the advantages of providing free EV charging stations and how they can add value to your company’s offerings.
Let’s begin.
Why Offering Free EV Charging Stations is a Game-Changer
While EV chargers are not free to install, offering them as a free service to your customers is a sound business strategy. This strategy can increase revenue for your other lines of business, improve your brand reputation, and give you a competitive edge over other companies in your industry.
1. Customer Attraction
Offering free charging is guaranteed to attract more customers to your business. This increased attraction, especially from EV drivers, will boost your reputation and revenue for your other services.
2. Brand Image
Being the first business to offer free charging facilities to drivers will cement your position as an innovative and customer-centric business. This will give you an edge over your competitors, making your business the favorite destination of all EV drivers and climate-conscious people.
3. Increased Customer Dwell Time
EV charging takes a lot of time (30 minutes to 1 hour for a fast charger and longer for level 2 chargers). With nothing to do while charging their vehicles, drivers are more likely to explore your other services, increasing foot traffic and potential sales.
Types of EV Chargers for Businesses
Many EV chargers are suitable for business purposes but we will focus on the two main types. They are:
1. Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 chargers are the most commonly used chargers for commercial settings. They require a 240V outlet and can charge an EV much faster, adding around 10-25 miles of range per hour.
While installation might be costly, the speed and efficiency of charging make them the most popular choice for enterprises. These chargers are perfect for businesses where customers and employees frequently park for extended periods (such as shopping malls and hotels).
2. DC Fast Chargers (Level 3 Chargers)
DC fast chargers are the fastest type of EV charging station, delivering up to 80% of an EV’s charge in just 30 minutes. However, they are also the most expensive. These stations are found in high-traffic commercial areas, such as highways or gas stations.
How Free EV Charging Stations Add Value to Your Business
1. Customer Loyalty
There’s already a massive demand for public EV charging stations to address range anxiety. Businesses that provide free EV charging stations are more likely to retain existing customers and get new ones. Clients who notice EV chargers on your premises will perceive your organization as environmentally sensitive and socially responsible, boosting the likelihood of retaining them as customers.
2. Competitive Advantage
Providing free EV chargers while your competitors do not will appeal to EV owners, who will patronize your business instead of your competitors. At the same time, installing EV chargers for your business will boost your brand reputation, improve public perception, and increase revenue.
3. Corporate Social Responsibility
Installing EV chargers for your business underlines your commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. This will improve your business appeal and increase the loyalty of eco-conscious customers who share your values. Additionally, investing in public EV charging stations shows that you support EV adoption and clean transportation.
Choosing the Right EV Charging Solution for Your Business
There is no one-size-fits-all EV charging solution for businesses. The best method for ensuring your EV chargers provide the best value and convenience is to ensure your charging infrastructure satisfies your customers’ needs.
1. Assess Your Charging Needs
Evaluate your business’s charging requirements before installing EV chargers on your property. Consider the number of electric vehicles you get daily from customers and employees and how much time they spend on your premises. This will help you decide whether to purchase level 2 or DC fast chargers.
2. Charging Speed
Level 2 chargers are suitable for businesses with longer dwell times, such as retail stores, workplaces, and hotels. Although DC fast chargers are typically seen in high-traffic commercial zones like gas stations, if you have limited charging space and expect a lot of vehicles, you can upgrade to DC fast chargers to optimize charging speed and improve customer satisfaction.
3. Charging Compatibility
When selecting an EV charger for your business, be sure it is compatible with a wide range of electric vehicles. You can use standard connectors such as CHAdeMO, CCS, and NACS.
4. Scalability and Future-Proofing
As the EV industry evolves, you must invest in chargers that can be easily expanded and upgraded, meeting rising demand and saving you money on future replacements.
5. Smart Features and User-Friendly Interface
Smart charging stations offer various features, including remote monitoring, energy management, and user identification. These tools allow you to effectively manage your charging stations, monitor usage, and increase efficiency.
Steps to Install Free EV Charging Stations
1. Determine Eligibility and Feasibility
When installing free EV chargers for businesses, you should verify that your company can install charging stations in your area. Also, ensure you have the electrical infrastructure to support the chargers and charging process. Evaluate your property to determine if you have sufficient parking space for the charging stations. And definitely do not forget to factor cost into your decision as chargers, especially DC fast chargers, can be quite expensive all said and done.
2. Choose the Right Chargers
Decide on the type of charger your station needs. Level 2 chargers are the best for commercial purposes as they offer 10-25 miles of range per hour, while DC fast chargers are the fastest and most suitable for high-traffic areas. You should also determine what innovative features you need on your chargers.
3. Obtain the Necessary Permits and Approvals
Secure building permits and approvals from relevant authorities in your area. Also, compliance with applicable laws and regulations ensures a seamless installation.
4. Install the Charging Stations
Contact a certified EV installation contractor like Tercero Inc. to ensure a safe and responsible EV installation. Pro tip – Get your installer involved early on in the process as they are able to help you navigate the whole process and can help you choose the right charger and also make sure your location has enough power to support the chargers.
5. Configure and Test the Charging Stations
Configure the charging stations according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and test the chargers to ensure they work safely and efficiently.
Conclusion
Installing EV chargers for business is a strategic move that will improve your business appeal, help retain and attract more customers, boost your brand reputation, and increase revenue. However, to reap all these benefits, you must ensure the chargers are safe and compatible with customers’ and employees’ vehicles. Contact Tercero Inc. for a quote on installing free EV chargers for your business.
FAQs
Installing EV charging stations can attract customers, enhance your brand image, and support sustainable transportation.
You’ll need a dedicated 240V electrical circuit and a suitable electrical panel.
Charging times vary depending on the type of EV, charging station, and battery capacity, but can be as short as 30 minutes with a DC fast charger.
Costs vary depending on the type and number of charging stations, electrical infrastructure, and installation fees. Level 1 chargers are the cheapest and level 3 are the most expensive.
Yes, various government programs and incentives are available to support the installation of EV charging stations.
You can use networked charging stations, mobile apps, or web portals to manage and monitor charging sessions.
Regular inspections, software updates, and occasional repairs may be necessary to ensure optimal performance.
Businesses can offer free EV charging as a service benefit, enhancing their overall compensation package and customer loyalty.
Look for charging stations with built-in safety features like ground fault protection, overcurrent protection, and thermal monitoring.
Most modern EV charging stations are designed to be compatible with multiple EV models and manufacturers.
