Real Estate Owners Consideration!

The United States is on its way to becoming an electric vehicle-first (EV) country, meaning you will start to mostly see EVs on the road within this decade. We’ve discussed on this blog the numerous advantages of installing EV chargers at your commercial property. When it comes to installing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) at your commercial property, it is imperative to choose the right vendors. But what should you look for when choosing the right charging equipment and EV charging company?

When an electric vehicle charging infrastructure vendor, there are several factors you should consider.

Perhaps the most important element of this process is picking an EV charging company that has a stellar reputation and experience. One way to gauge a company’s credentials is to research who else trusts the company to handle their EVSE installation. Ask your industry colleagues for a recommendation, or search public maps like Google Maps or PlugShare to see which EV charging companies are popular in your region.

Choosing the right electrification partner isn’t just about being able to trust that company. You also need to make sure they offer all the EV charging solutions you require.

Here are some of the ways that your installer may help:

• Conducting a site assessment, including current electrical load usage, increased capacity you will need, permit requirements, and potential additional utility upgrades
• Procuring any available funding for the installation
• Designating parking spots for charging this year and make-ready spots for future installations
• Filing for necessary permits
• Managing installation and commissioning
• Coordinating with the local utility

Finally, consider the EV charging network itself. Look for a comprehensive charging network that provides you with the ability to easily control all of your chargers, including pricing and access. The network should also help EV drivers find your chargers when they need them. And if you want to save money, look for a charging network with load management and demand response capabilities which give you the option to join a utility demand response program.

Your EV charging vendor can help you choose the right chargers for your property. When choosing a station, consider your needs, budget, available power, and rebates and incentives. While every commercial real estate property has different needs, there are a few criteria you can use to help you determine what type of chargers would be best for you.

Commercial properties will either install commercial Level 2 chargers, or Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFCs). If seeking LEED certification for your property, you will need to select networked, ENERGY STAR certified charging stations that can provide Level 2 charging or higher.

Level 2 chargers are capable of charging a vehicle from nearly empty to nearly full in a few hours, and are ideal for places where drivers can reasonably be expected to leave their vehicles parked for an extended period of time. Level 2 chargers are perfect for workplace and mixed-use CRE properties where drivers charge while parked.

DCFCs can charge a battery from empty to almost full in under an hour, and are best for places where a quick charge is required. These charging stations require 480V of power and are most often used for fleets or near highways.

If your chargers are meant to charge your EV fleet, a mixture of Level 2 and DCFCs may be the way to go.

Some businesses are happy to provide EV charging to their customers free of charge, while others will want to turn their EV chargers into a revenue source and charge fees for their usage. With the RMPAC EV Network, you can set pricing to be free for your customers, and paid for the general public.

Finally, consider your parking itself. If your business serves public users, or if you want to invite public drivers to your property, you can use the RMPAC EV Network to offer paid charging to those drivers. And if your charging stations are intended for employees or fleets only, you can restrict access to approved employees with an access code.

The federal government has stated it wants at least 50% of new vehicles sold to be electric by 2030, and it has put numerous incentives in place to help both individuals and companies purchase EVs, like the:

• $7,500 Clean Vehicle Credit for individuals
• $4,000 Used Clean Vehicle Credit for individuals
• $7,500 – $40,000 US Commercial Clean Vehicle tax credit
• National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program for businesses that meet specific criteria
• $100,000 per station Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure Tax Credit for businesses that meet the requirements

Plus, there are dozens of state and local government incentives, which you can explore.

Choosing the right electrification vendor is the first crucial step to joining the thousands of businesses across the country that are installing electric vehicle supply equipment to take advantage of the nation’s transition to EVs. Contact RMPAC EV today.