Were you thinking about installing commercial EV charging stations? With the popularity of electric vehicles, the demand for EV charging stations has skyrocketed. There’s no better time than now to install EV charging stations that can keep your business ahead of the curve while also being good for the environment. However, it is a complex endeavor, so this guide can help you understand the entire process.

Commercial EV Charging Station Installation Guide

Types and costs of charging station

There are currently three types of electric vehicle chargers, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Each class has a different cost and charging capabilities. However, commercial EV charging stations usually choose Level 3 chargers or a combination of Level 3 and Level 2 chargers. Of course, all these need to be based on market research to make a choice.

Level 2 chargers feature two ports running on 240-volt circuits. Level-two chargers cost around $7,200 and require between eight and 10 hours to charge a car fully.

Level 3 chargers are also direct current (DC) fast chargers. These robust industrial stations use 480-volt direct current to charge a car entirely in about an hour. Equipment charges and upgrades to infrastructure make DC fast chargers the most expensive, at around $50,000.

The process of EV charging station installing

Installing commercial electric vehicle charging stations is a complex task requiring coordinating numerous contractors and understanding government incentives to keep costs down.

Step 1: Market Research

How do you assess the local market for charging facilities? We mainly analyze it from three aspects.

  • The amount of local, new energy vehicle ownership. Because electric vehicle ownership determines the size of the local charging market.
  • Local charging facilities ownership. We can understand the local charging demand through the data of local electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations.
  • Local incentives. The strength of the incentives determines the ease of the charging station approval, filing, acceptance, and other procedures. Also, available tax credits can significantly reduce costs.

Step 2: Site selection

  • The public EV charging station should be cast in a place with convenient access to vehicles.
  • Charging stations should not be outdoors in low-lying, water-prone places and locations prone to secondary disasters.
  • The charging station is not allowed to be located in places with severe vibration or high temperature and should not be located in dusty, water mist, or corrosive gas places.
  • The charging station is not allowed to be set in the vicinity of places with explosive hazards.
  • The charging station should meet the requirements of environmental protection and fire safety.
  • The charging station should be reserved for a certain backup site.

Step 3: Site Planning

  • Define the site facilities. Site facilities mainly include EV chargers, transformers, parking spaces, fire-fighting equipment, canopies, drainage systems, etc. Of course, you can add restrooms, self-service car wash, vending machines, and other supporting facilities.
  • Determine the entrance and exit. It is necessary to determine good gates and doors according to the location, main road, direction, and site convenience so that users can come to charge conveniently.
  • Site utilization rate. For the identified site, it is necessary to plan reasonably and use the maximum area to improve its utilization rate and ensure profitability.
  • Secondary construction. If the site is large enough, we should consider reserving the area to facilitate the secondary structure.

Step 4: Select EV charger manufacturer

Today, many charger manufacturers are in the market, but the production standard and product quality are difficult to control. SETEC POWER, China’s leading charging infrastructure manufacturer, is a perfect choice. You need to consider the following points in choosing a reliable partner.

  • Production technology. We need to understand its specific processing technology, including the production process used for the raw materials or parts and the basis for assembly inspection technology, etc., to guarantee the charger’s service life effectively.
  • When choosing a car charger manufacturer, consider its equipment in operation to focus on practicality and ease of operation to meet the charging requirements of different models and users.
  • After-sales service. Car chargers will inevitably be abnormal due to various factors in the use process. Therefore you should pay attention to understanding the length of the warranty provided by the manufacturer for the charger when choosing, and require that the electric car charger manufacturer have perfect after-sales service.

STEP 5: FINAL PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION

To obtain all available incentives for an electric vehicle charging station, your business must prepare the necessary documents to reserve funding for the project. This paperwork may include filings with the Environmental Protection Agency, state and local governments, or the utility company.

Once you receive approval, it’s time to schedule the project and order the necessary materials. Engineers complete the infrastructure work at the site: running conduits, piping, and electrical wires as necessary. Contractors set up security cameras, routers, and other devices and ensure that all smart devices and systems on your property are connected to the Internet.

Portable charging service

Installing a fixed commercial EV charging station is an investment that requires a lot of money and time. Therefore, in the process of its construction, you can first order a portable charging device like an Emergency mobile EV charging system, which can be installed in a van and put into operation. In the early stages, it can be used as a promotional tool, and the advanced concept of mobile charging can expand your visibility. After the construction of your charging station is complete, it is the perfect complement to your charging business, allowing you to offer your customers a full range of services.

Please get in touch with us if you are interested in more details on EV charging station installation. The experts at SETEC POWER are ready to serve you.