A Comprehensive Guide to Commercial EV Charger Installation

Posted 12th August 2024

With the demand for electric vehicles on the rise, there is a need to address the gap in the infrastructure in the UK. Commercial EV charger installation will be an important part of the future of EV adoption in this country, and from a business point of view is a clever decision for a business to attract and retain environmentally-conscious customers, employees, and suppliers. With NetZero 2050 approaching fast, and with a higher number of electric vehicles, and bigger electric batteries on the road, this guide aims to provide information about how commercial EV charger installation will be integral to the future. 

Site assessment and planning

Before installing EV charging stations at commercial premises, it is important to go through a site assessment and planning phase to ensure site suitability. 

Consider the site and accessibility

At this phase of the project there are a few things to consider, such as site location and accessibility issues, the power supply and assessment of capacity, how the parking space and charging stations will be designed and what the layout will be, and to ensure all safety and compliance regulations are fully checked in advance. 

Choose the right charging station equipment

Some of the considerations for choosing the right commercial EV charging station equipment includes the types of charging station (Level 1, Level 2, DC Fast Charging), the capacity and output of the chargers, network integration and smart charging features that are available. 

Planning and supply

A full site assessment will ensure that all aspects of your business premises are looked at with regards to efficient installation of EV charging stations. This includes looking at power supply issues, to provide a reliable service and guaranteed smooth running of EV chargers for years after installation. 

Are there any permits and regulations to be aware of?

There are still grants and incentives available for the installation of commercial EV chargers. This includes the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) that provides up to £350 per charge point socket, up to 40 charge points per business. There is also an infrastructure grant for staff and fleets for small and medium sized businesses. It is a voucher scheme where you must use the services of an approved OZEV installer, within 120 days of the voucher being issued.

The installation process

Working with a company that has experience of installing commercial EV charging stations provides that peace of mind that the end result is an efficient system that never lets you down. There is a requirement for a robust electrical infrastructure that can support the power demands that you have on site. This might require panel upgrades, electrical conduit and wiring installation, implementation of an effective load management system, and grounding and surge protection.

Once this phase has been completed, the EV charging stations can be installed, mounting charging station pedestals, connecting all cables and wiring correctly and safely, securing the charging connectors and cables, and then testing the stations before commissioning them for use. 

What are the safety and compliance checks for EV charging stations?

There are some EV charger restrictions and compliance to be aware of for commercial premises. Permission may be required for the installation if it involves making significant structural changes to the building and the surrounding area. Specifically for the charge points:

• They cannot be installed within 2.5 metres of a sim touch (any metal object connected to the electrical supply – a streetlamp for instance
• The exterior casing of the outlet cannot exceed 0.2 cubic metres in size
• The cable must reach the electric vehicle at that station without it being a tripping hazard
• The minimum recommended distance between EV and EV charger is 1.5 metres
• The length of the charging cable is recommended to be 7.5 metres
• Compliance with IET Wiring Regulations stated in BS 7671
• Sufficient electrical supply for the electric vehicle charger to operate at its rated capacity

Once planning and installation have been completed, and all safety checks have been worked through, the on-going support and maintenance is crucial to future proofing your commercial EV charging stations and receiving the support you need in an emergency situation. It is imperative that you stay on top of all EV charger regulations and compliance, as when things change in the future, you are in the perfect position of knowledge to understand what actions need to be taken to make the necessary changes to adhere to the changes.

How important is maintenance and troubleshooting?

As the development of EV charging solutions continues to evolve and the number of EV charging networks for commercial premises grows, there will of course be greater challenges ahead. This is why it is so important to have a clear plan for maintenance and troubleshooting, staying ahead of potential problems and minimising downtime should there be any problems with the chargers on site. Some of the reasons for EV charging stations requiring assistance include a loss of power supply, problems with payment terminals, hardware failures, failures with charging speed, and communication problems.

In conclusion, commercial EV charger installation has its challenges, but it is an important part of the commercial world over the coming years. As the whole country shifts towards electric vehicles as the standard, and Net Zero is still a targeted aim of the government, it is vital that commercial ventures are part of the process of expanding the EV charging network. This includes ensuring tight adherence to regulations now, planning carefully to maximise space and usage, ensuring careful load management and correct software installation and use, as well as thinking towards the future.

Designing scalable EV charging infrastructure, planning for additional charging stations and monitoring usage data will help your business to evolve with the times, to utilise evolving technologies. At ElectrAssure we provide High Availability charging systems for commercial ventures. If you want to find out more about our commercial electric vehicle charger installation service, contact the ElectrAssure team.