The Benefits of EV Charger Installations and Your Guide to Charging & Electricity Types
EV Charger Installation: A Positive Investment in Your Business
Australia’s growing EV infrastructure and market should lead to more EVs on our roads. This presents an opportunity for SMEs to benefit from installing EV chargers.
While the initial expense and operational considerations, such as electrical infrastructure requirements, positioning, and ongoing electricity costs, are important factors for SMEs, for forward-thinking businesses it presents an opportunity to increase revenue and foot traffic. Attracting EV drivers offers the advantage of time spent at their location while recharging. This allows business owners to explore new ways to improve customer service offerings and also boost staff satisfaction by providing a convenient workplace perk
---
Quick guide to points of interest below:
1. Customer & Staff Value: enhance service, boost staff satisfaction.
2. Charger Types: Non-Network( basic) vs. Network Connected (smart).
—
1. Customer & Staff Value
Offer free or discounted recharges (e.g; 30 mins free with purchases, promotions, or for staff).
Consider food/drink facilities or entertainment for waiting customers (eg; mobile food/drink vans)
---
2. Charger Types: Non-Network vs. Network Connected
Non-Network: Generally at a lower cost, with no internet connection or remote management to charge customers or track usage data and won't automatically appear on public charging maps (for more on finding your nearest charging station, see our ‘Range Anxiety’ article). All electricity used is charged to your Business. This could be offered as a free service to customers or employees.
Network Connected: Internet-connected (Wi-Fi, Ethernet) and remotely managed by a Charge Point Operator (CPO) or software provider Offers advanced control to help track ROI and create revenue opportunities (e.g; usage data, ROI insights, attracting new customers via apps).
Customer Payment Methods include:
Smartphone app: An app matching the CPO brand of charger (customer uses app, chooses location, starts a session and pays via the method linked to their account)
Physical CPO card/Fob: Provided by the applicable CPO as a tap and go style payment using the method linked to the customers’ account.
Credit/debit card or digital wallet: Non account holders can pay using an accepted tap and go debit or credit card or a digital wallet.
—
If you're uncertain about what's required for your specific circumstances, or the level of services and support you'll need, Charge Point Operators (CPOs) in Australia can offer solutions for installation, maintenance, and billing services (eg; Chargefox, Evie Networks, Ampol Ampcharge, BP Pulse). You can also contact a commercial EV Charger installation specialist. In addition, it's worth looking into potential state government grants that may be available to help offset installation costs.
Understanding EV Charging & Electricity Types
EV Charging and Electricity Terms (alphabetical)
AC Charging (Alternating Current)
Definition: Slower charging speeds, generally used at home, workplaces, or at charging destinations where the car's onboard charger can convert AC current to DC current
Price Insight AC charging infrastructure is generally less expensive to install compared to rapid DC (Direct Current) charging stations.
--
DC Charging (Direct Current)
Definition: Faster charging, commonly found at public fast/rapid charging stations, where power is converted off-board, bypassing the car's onboard charger.
Price Insight: Public DC charging is usually at a higher price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) than home AC charging due to the faster charging speed and higher costs of installation.
--
kWh (Kilowatt-hour)
Definition: kWh is a unit of energy that measures an EVs battery's storage capacity, which can be thought of like a fuel tank for an EV.
Price Insight A higher kWh battery delivers a longer driving range, although the extra cost to manufacture these is reflected in the purchase price of an EV.
--
Regenerative Braking:
Definition: A system where the electric motor acts as a generator while decelerating, and converts kinetic energy back into electricity to recharge the battery and extend its range.
Price Insight This feature helps to lower electricity consumption and reduces wear on traditional brake pads, which in turn lowers the ongoing running costs of an EV.
--
Smart Charging (Load Management)
Definition: A technology that controls EV charging by distributing available power more efficiently to help prevent grid overload and allows businesses on Time-of-Use (ToU) electricity tariffs to schedule EV charging during off-peak periods.
Price Insight: For businesses that are on Time-of-Use (ToU) electricity tariffs, the ability to schedule off-peak EV charging is a practical option to reduce costs. This technology can also leverage controlled load circuits for lower, network-managed rates (requires specific electrical setup).
--
V2L (Vehicle-to-Load)
Definition: The ability for an EV to be able to supply power from its battery to external electrical appliances, in essence turning the car into a mobile power bank.
Price Insight: For businesses needing mobile power (eg; Tradies), a V2L-equipped EV could be an attractive option to look into, that is both practical and potentially could save them money in the long run on buying or hiring separate generators
This information is for general use and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Please refer to our Privacy Policy & Terms of use for more detail