What are the benefits of workplace charging?

Posted 26th January 2024

As commercial EV charging networks are being installed across the country, it is important to understand the benefits of workplace EV charging. There are many people looking at switching to electric vehicles however, one of the main reasons why they have not yet made the jump could be down to the fact that they do not yet have workplace access to EV charging points.

Luckily, there are a wide range of Government schemes designed to help businesses fund the installation and expansion of their Electric Vehicle charging networks.

What type of businesses benefit from workplace EV charging

There are a few different business types that would benefit from workplace EV charging solutions including;

• Large office blocks should consider EV charging provisions for employees of tenants within the building. 75% of EV users do not currently have access to charge cars in the workplace.
• Any business with an electric commercial fleet, those within the logistics sector for example, will benefit from on-site charging for company-owned electric vehicles.
• Businesses with a fleet of electric cars that are the main function of the company, such as a taxi company, mini-bus hire etc, benefit from on-site charging.
• Car leasing companies, as the shift to electric vehicles pushes on in the coming years.

 Some of the benefits of installing workplace charging for electric vehicles include;

Futureproofing the workplace

The market data for 2023 shows that there are 975,000 battery-electric cars in the UK and the figures continue to rise with a view to the entire country transitioning away from petrol and diesel cars in the next decade. With this trend it is understandable that there must be a strong uptake in installation of workplace EV charging. Government incentives mean forward thinking businesses can start to implement these changes quickly. By doing so businesses can attract and retain talent whilst boosting revenue and better managing overheads that come with power consumption.

Increase employee retention

With the uptake in electric vehicle ownership combined with the cost of living crisis in the UK, ensuring that your employees have access to EV charging on site could be one of the most effective things you do to boost your employee retention rates. It promotes in-office working with cheaper travel costs, offers great convenience to staff and adds value to your existing and potential employee benefit packages.

Reduce costs

For any business operating a fleet, charging the fleet on-site brings with it a reduction in costs, as you are not at the mercy of public EV charging stations. Charge scheduling also allows for smarter charging times and fleet management. By using your Charge Point Management System (CPMS) you have access to real time data allowing you to make accurate executive decisions.

Increase staff efficiencies

Allowing staff members to charge their own cars on-site leads to better rates of efficiency and productivity all round. If staff members know they can charge their vehicle at work, it takes away anxiety and pressure of finding somewhere else to charge and allows them to maximise time on site working. Offering workplace charging is also seen as a big incentive making staff feel more valued. 

Showcasing the green credentials of the company

Social and environmental responsibility is an important part of every day life for many. By Enabling electric vehicle charge in the workplace, it sends a clear message that your company cares about the environment and support the shift to electric vehicle use. It demonstrates that as a progressive company, you have a commitment to reducing your carbon footprint collectively. Everyone likes to feel part of a team with a common goal, this boosts morale. A happy and motivated work force is the key to any businesses success.

Client satisfaction

Building strong relationships and keeping clients happy is key. As the transition to electric vehicles continues from the wider public in the next few years it makes sense that a business that has EV charging provisions on-site for clients to use will be more attractive than a company that doesn’t. Any clients visiting your business premises for a meeting will have the option to charge their vehicle during their stay. It is a perk worth investing in for better client relationships.

Keep your customers for longer

For businesses that have customers visiting a physical store, provision of electric vehicle charging for customers offers a great incentive for customers to stay longer, while they wait for their vehicle to charge. Longer time in-store browsing boosts the potential for a greater spend.

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)

For those businesses looking to provide electric charge points for staff, fleet, and clients with electric vehicles, there is support available from the government to help with the switch. The deadline for the Workplace Charging Scheme is 31st March 2024. It is part of the government drive to encourage the shift towards electric vehicles and helps businesses to provide on-site EV charging solutions for employees. The scheme provides financial support for up to £300 per charge point and a maximum of 40 charge points.

ElectrAssure delivers high availability EV charging systems, including workplace charging infrastructure. This helps businesses to move to zero emission transport solutions with reliable workplace charging that promotes better management of EV vehicles and assists employees in switching to electric vehicles for personal use. If you are thinking about future proofing your business with workplace charging please contact our team today to discuss the process from A-Z.