Creating an Efficient Commercial EV Charging Station Network: Design Tips and Layouts

Posted 12th August 2024

Creating an efficient commercial EV charging station is an important consideration for any business looking into the installation of a charging network that supplies electricity for staff members, suppliers, or customers with electric vehicles. Creating a stable and efficient charging network allows for the necessary future growth and adoption of EV, with a robust and accessible framework that allows for the easy charging of all electric vehicles. There must always be different design considerations, including the types of EV charging stations required now (and in the future), the layout of the network, and regulatory compliance.

With the demand for fleet EV charging on the rise, there is an expectation that commercial options for electric vehicle charging will become commonplace everywhere within the next few years, with government initiatives and private investment used to push forward with EV innovation and structural evolution to install the most robust EV charging station network potential. The team at ElectrAssure are here to offer you a full turnkey service from initial survey through to installation and ongoing maintenance. 

What are the challenges of installing an efficient EV Charging network for commercial use?

There are some inherent challenges in designing an EV charging station for commercial use. It is important that you have a grasp of what these are before committing to a long-term project of EV charger installation at your business premises. The challenges include: 

Safety and cybersecurity

Measures must be put in place to protect against data breaches and potential hacking, providing robust digital payment solutions and limiting external threats. 

Integration with the grid

Load management is key, as there is a need to not overload the electrical grid, particularly in areas where there is rapid growth in EV charging network expansion. 

Future-proof

As technologies improve and the potential for electric vehicles grows, there is a need to ensure that what you install now, is future-proofed for future technologies. 

Selection of your site

Site consideration is important in terms of the layout and space available for charger utilisation. This requires long-term strategic planning to ensure that you maximise the potential of your commercial EV charging network. 

What are the design basics of an EV charging network?

There are three levels of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Each one offers a different level of charging speed and has different power requirements: 

Level 1

These are the ideal EV charger for overnight charging and are most commonly seen as home installations. With a Level 1 EV charger you can expect to receive between 2-5 miles of charging range per hour. 

Level 2

This is the charger that is more commonly seen for both public and residential charging, with a charge that is faster than the Level 1 option and provides between 10 and 25 miles range per hour of charging. This is perfect for commercial EV charging settings where employees can charge during work hours or customers can charge their vehicle whilst out shopping for a couple of hours or more. 

Level 3 (DC Charging)

This is the level of charging that is the ideal for future commercial EV charging station networks. They can deliver up to 200 miles of charging range within 15-30 minutes of a vehicle plugging in. They do require a high-powered DC charging station and dedicated infrastructure, however.

Level 1 and Level 2 chargers are designed to deliver AC (alternating current) to the vehicle’s onboard charger, which is then converted into DC (direct current). This requires a dedicated electrical set-up that can handle the power demands in a safe and efficient way.

DC charging stations directly deliver DC to the battery pack in the vehicle. These stations are therefore the perfect choice for commercial, fast, efficient charging stations for vehicles on long, uninterrupted journeys. 

Considerations for charger layout, placement and futureproofing

Before any commercial EV charging station is set-up, it is important to evaluate the entire site to ensure that you have optimal placement and layout for the charger network. There must be enough space for parking alongside the movement of vehicles during the busiest (peak) hours of power usage. Before any installation goes ahead the ElectrAssure team will carry out an indepth site survey to ensure the project runs as smoothly as possible.

Consider future expansion

Consideration must also be given to future expansion of the charging network and the ever-evolving growth in demand for EVs and charging locations. With a good site evaluation prior to any installation, there is a higher chance of a smooth charging experience and an efficient commercial EV charging station network. Designing a maintenance plan will also help ensure long-term reliability and set out clear methods that can be scaled as you grow your EV charging network. 

Regulatory requirements and the user experience

Understanding accessibility laws and local regulations is imperative to long-term success with the installation of commercial EV charging networks. Design considerations should include making the charging points as accessible as possible for all drivers, with clear signage, intuitive user interfaces and parking layouts that are easy to navigate.

Electrical infrastructure planning

Establishing the power supply needs and implementing load management strategies is another key aspect of efficient commercial EV charging station networks. The design and installation of EV charging projects requires careful power management to ensure optimal energy distribution and load management. A strong and reliable electrical supply that can meet the demands of multiple charging points needs coordination with local utilities for a consistent power source, and potentially back-up renewable energy sources (such as solar panels) to maintain consistent power supply at all times for electric vehicles. 

What are the features of a strong network management software?

The best EV charging station networks provide a simple and seamless experience for drivers, but they also require robust Charge Point Management System (CPMS) for both the end user and the management of the overall network. User-management is important so that you can control access and customise the technical aspects of customer interactions with each charging point. This should include simple and secure payment options, online booking, and other management duties. Real-time, accurate data of the network ensures optimisation and future tweaks to your network to maximise the space and increase commercial use.

Designing a commercial EV charging station network is complex but over time it can become a fulfilling and efficient part of your commercial revenue stream. If you are careful with the location of your site and have support from a professional in the field of EV charging provisions, you can ensure that you are at the forefront of the new era of EV, with the option to scale in the most secure and effective way as the demand for EV charging points grows.