Should I provide workplace EV charging for employees?
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If you’re looking for the lowdown on workplace EV charging then you’re in the right place. With the increasing popularity of electric cars on UK roads, EV drivers are looking for charging solutions that provide easy EV charging access and convenience. As more and more people make the switch to electric cars, there will be a rise in demand for more away-from-home EV charging solutions. Providing EV workplace charging will become increasingly important in supporting the transition to electric cars.
Why should a company provide EV workplace charging?
There’s an upwards trend in the number of organisations considering and launching EV Salary Sacrifice Schemes for their teams. These easy to implement schemes enable eligible employees to access an electric car in a more cost-efficient way, meanwhile their employer is supporting the acceleration of EV adoption amongst a much broader range of drivers.
As these schemes continue to roll out, the demand for workplace EV charging will likely also increase, especially for those who may be without a home-charging solution. Employers who provide workplace EV charging could see favourable outcomes as a result, both in terms of employee satisfaction and boosting the company’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) credentials, which is a real hot topic in the world of business.
EV Workplace charging benefits – for an employer
There are lots of reasons why installing EV charging for employees could be beneficial at a workplace. Some of these include:
Attract and retain talent
Offering EV workplace charging as a benefit can help attract environmentally conscious employees and retain existing talent.
Enhance employee satisfaction and productivity
With many organisations keen to encourage employees back into the office, providing EV schemes and also EV workplace charging creates convenience for employees, allowing them to charge their vehicles while working. This eliminates the need to locate public charging stations, potentially saving time, money and effort.
Support Sustainability Goals
By offering workplace EV charging, employers can demonstrate their longer-term commitment to sustainability and reduce the company’s carbon footprint. This aligns with ESG goals and can bolster your company’s reputation as an eco-conscious business.
Improve Corporate Image
EV workplace charging can enhance the company’s image as a forward-thinking, environmentally focused business, which can improve public relations and attract customers or clients who value sustainability.
Future-Proofing
As adoption increases, and more employees drive electric vehicles, installing EV workplace charging stations now can help future-proof the company, preparing it for the growth in EV use.
The benefits of EV workplace charging – as a fleet manager
If your organisation has already switched its fleet to EV or is thinking about it, the provision of EV workplace chargers makes operational sense and can create efficiencies:
Operational efficiency
Fleet EV drivers can use EV workplace chargers while they are parked during onsite working hours or between shifts, ensuring that the vehicles are ready to use. This reduces downtime, as EV drivers won’t need to make extra stops for charging during working hours.
Control your costs
Fleet managers can better control the cost of EV charging onsite, especially if charging is done during off-peak hours when electricity costs are lower. If employees regularly charge on the go, switching the majority of charging to employer-owned, smart chargers can make your charging more cost-efficient
Improved fleet management
Having on-site EV workplace charging allows for easier monitoring and management of the fleet’s charging schedules, optimising energy usage and ensuring vehicles are adequately charged without overloading the grid during peak hours.
Focus on maintenance costs
EVs typically have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By supporting EV fleet drivers with workplace charging, you further reduce operational costs by keeping the vehicles in good condition with optimal charging routines.
Supports customer and partner relationships
Workplace EV charging contributes to broader environmental goals by encouraging and supporting the use of electric vehicles. Many companies have a desire to work with other likeminded organisations that support sustainable transportation – some organisations might find that without an ESG policy some partners and suppliers may choose to take their business elsewhere.
Installing an EV workplace charging solution
Here are some of basic considerations to keep in mind before installing an EV workplace charging solution at your site.
Permission to install EV Chargers
You must own the property or have consent from the landlord for charge points to be installed onsite. Your site will need to have dedicated off-road parking that is clearly associated with the premises. If you do not own it, you will need permission from the landowner.
Logistics of installing EV workplace chargers
You will need to consider whether you have an adequate power supply and access alongside the needs of the business and available budget.
There are a range of charger types and speeds available. The right charging mix for your business will depend on how many vehicles will be charging and how long your employees and visitors are likely to stay parked. It’s important to understand that with EV workplace charging, faster isn’t always better. Rapid chargers are expensive to install and may not be feasible for your car park without expensive infrastructure upgrades. This means it’s highly advisable to consider the likely behaviour of EV charging users before making any decisions.
We advise contacting an EV installation specialist for advice. They will visit you and provide a detailed evaluation and site survey to help you make an informed decision. Here are a few providers you could consider:
Paying for EV workplace charging
It is up to each individual employer to decide whether to charge users for EV workplace charging. Your company could offer free charging as a perk to staff or use it as a way of incentivising employees to go electric.
If offering completely free EV workplace charging to your team isn’t feasible, you might decide to offer some free charging time but apply a charge for anything beyond that. Some organisations that have already installed charge points for employees have created their own payment schemes, with fixed-price plans for access.
Another benefit worth noting is that electricity isn’t classed as a vehicle fuel by HMRC, so there are no Benefit-in-Kind tax payments [LC1] to make if an employer provides free charging to staff.
Drawing up an EV workplace charging policy
Before making your EV charging provision available to staff it is advisable to define an EV workplace charging policy. This could include the following information and guidance for your team –
· Charging Access and Hours of Operation
· Registration and Usage Authorisation
· Charging Time Limits
· Fee Structure (if applicable)
· Charging etiquette
· Prioritisation of users
· Safety Guidelines
· Maintenance and Support
· Penalty for Misuse
Help with the cost of installing EV workplace charging
The government’s Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) was set up to help the transition to electric vehicles through accelerating the provision of EV workplace charge points. It’s available to organisations based in in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland (applicants in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are not eligible). Here’s a brief overview, you can read more and apply here.
- Get £350 towards each chargepoint socket up to a maximum 40 sockets per applicant business.
- It’s available to any businesses, charity, public authority, or small accommodation business with some conditions.
- There is also an infrastructure grant for staff and fleets, to help small and medium sized businesses install the infrastructure they need for charge points.
- Also available is the commercial landlord grant, which helps to reduce the cost of installation for owners of residential or commercially let properties.
- Closing date for this scheme is 31st March 2025.
In February 2024, the Government also rolled out a grant for qualifying state-funded education institutes. They can get 75% off the cost to buy and install chargepoints up to a maximum of: £2,500 per socket for up to 40 sockets across all sites including any applications made previously via the Workplace Charging Scheme.
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