For businesses & municipalities - Commercial Charging Installation Guide
As EV adoption increases, so does the need for supporting infrastructure. Convenient and dependable charging stations are key. They're good for business, too. From site selection and charging speeds to installation expenses, incentives, and cost recovery, this guide explains the key considerations to plan and run a successful charging station.
Plan your site
Location, location, location.
Selecting a location to install an EV charger is a little bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. Do you select the site first, or do you decide which type of charger you want first? The location will impact which type of charger makes the most sense, and the type of charger will impact which location makes the most sense.
For example, Level 1 charging may be a good match for some workplaces where drivers will leave their car plugged in all day, but it's generally not recommended for shorter-duration parking areas, such as grocery stores.
Choosing your charging level
Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the three different types of EV charging levels (Level 1, 2, and 3). Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing which type of charging station to install:
- Is charging intended for customers, employees, the public, and/or your own fleet?
- How long do you expect people to be charging?
- Less than an hour
Consider a Level 3 charger (also called a DC Fast Charger). These are the most expensive to install, often over $100,000. They can provide 80% charge in 30-60 minutes. - A few hours
Consider a Level 2 charger, which provides a full charge in about five hours. - All day or overnight
Consider a Level 1 charger. These are the most economical to install. They are also the slowest: It can take more than 24 hours to get a full charge.
- Less than an hour
Site considerations
- Permitting
State and local permits may be required depending on the site and the type of charging.- If chargers are installed in an existing parking area, you’ll generally need a Vermont electrical permit in addition to any required local permits. The local permitting requirements vary: In many cases, adding charging to an already-developed property can be treated as an accessory use, and dealt with administratively.
- The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) has a permit navigator website that can help you identify whether you need any ANR permits.
- If the installation could impact a state highway right-of-way or access point, you may need a permit from the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
- If the charging equipment is open to the general public and charges a fee for use, then the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (AAFM) has additional EV charging requirements to ensure customers are receiving the energy they pay for.
- Parking capacity
Are you building a new parking lot? If so, make sure you follow section C405.10 of the Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards, which specifies how many EV parking spaces are required. - ADA compliance
Entities subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) must provide EV charging stations that are usable by people with disabilities. If you offer charging to the public, your charger should be ADA-compliant. Learn more at the US Access Board website. - Proximity to other transportation
Locating chargers next to other modes of transportation, such as sidewalks, bus stops, and park & rides provides drivers with access to additional destinations and opportunities. - Proximity to electric power
See "Electrical considerations" below. - Safety
Pay attention to any safety hazards that could impact people charging their cars. Don’t forget about the safety of the charger itself: Is it located in a floodplain? Is it located in the pathway of snow and ice falling off a roof? - Snow removal
How easy will it be to remove snow around your charging station? - Internet connection
If you’re installing “networked” equipment with payment collection capabilities, then a cellular or Wi-Fi data connection is often necessary so the equipment can connect to payment processing systems.- Cellular connections are the most common, but require a reliable signal and usually have a monthly or annual fee for use.
- Wi-Fi tends to be more economical, but it can be challenging to get a reliable signal in parking areas, and not all charging equipment has Wi-Fi capability.
Electrical considerations
- Where is the nearest electrical service pole? Is it delivering single- or three-phase power? How far away is the nearest three-phase line, if not on site? Three-phase power is generally needed for Level 3 DC Fast Charging.
- What is the available capacity of the existing switchgear and what is the voltage service level? If you plan to install more chargers in the future, consider upsizing the switchgear, conduit, and transformer to meet the expected future load.
- You'll need to bring electrical service from the property’s service entrance or a new service from the street to the charging location. Costs will vary depending on whether the conduit is laid under pavement or sidewalks (more expensive) or above ground. Shorter conduit runs to the charging location will reduce costs.
- If you think you might install additional chargers in the future, it's smart to install the extra conduit with pull wire to serve future needs.
- Additional resources
- Types of charging
Installation costs
Installing EV charging stations can be a big investment, with costs varying based on the type of equipment you choose and the extent of site work required. Below, you’ll find an overview of the main expenses to expect, along with information on available incentives to help offset your costs.
Equipment
EV charging stations vary widely in price depending on your site characteristics and the type of charging equipment. Buying in bulk typically reduces the unit price. Look for ENERGY STAR-certified equipment, which sometimes has a higher upfront cost, but is cheaper to operate in the long run.
- Level 1 chargers: $30-900
- Level 2 chargers: $600-$9,000
- Level 3 charger (DC Fast Charger): $20,000-100,000+
Permitting
Costs will vary depending on the factors described in the site considerations above.
Site work
Providing electrical service to the charger location can account for 40% or more of the installation cost, depending on the electrical considerations described above. To keep costs lower, consider shorter distances from the electrical service to the charger location, and laying conduit along walls or under soft surfaces like grass. If you think you might add more chargers in the future, the upfront cost of adding more conduit or upgrading your electric infrastructure might save money down the line.
Mounting
Wall-mounted units are generally cheaper to purchase and install. Several vendors offer dual-port or multi-unit mounting options, which can help reduce installation costs as the incremental cost of adding another port is frequently much lower than installing an additional single-port unit.
Signage
While many EV users can now find charging locations using their phones or onboard navigation systems, clear roadside signage is still valuable. Many users may be tourists, and signage will help alleviate anxiety about finding a charging location, especially if the charging is not visible from the roadway.
- General service signs
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) has adopted a standard blue service sign symbol for EV charging stations. - Regulatory signs
The recommended practice in Vermont is to use language restricting parking "Except for Electric Vehicle Charging" to prevent instances of EV owners taking up charging spaces without actually plugging into the equipment.
Lighting
Consider installing a streetlamp or solar-powered light in the charging location, which will help users navigate the charging station at night.
- Additional resources
- Incentives for installation
Operational costs
Energy
Energy costs are highly variable depending on how much the charger gets used. If you know roughly how many kWh you expect to provide annually, you can calculate the estimated annual cost using your average electric rate from your utility.
Demand charge
Many commercial electric rates include a separate demand charge rate based on the company’s peak electric usage. This means businesses can incur significant costs, especially for Level 3 fast charging. Check with your utility for details on demand charges and options for different rate structures. In some cases, you can reduce costs by separately metering the charging equipment.
Networking and point of sale system
Cost varies, but $300 per year per charging port is about average.
Maintenance
You can expect to spend about $400 a year on maintenance like service calls to reset equipment or replace defective hardware. Some charging equipment providers and installers offer warranties.
Insurance
Varies. You can generally bundle the charging station into your broader business or property policy.
Cost recovery
You can consider charging a fee based on the kWh of energy provided. Additional flat fees or time-based fees may also be applied depending on the charging equipment and associated backend systems. We typically recommend setting fees a bit above the energy costs to help cover payment processing fees and other costs.
Get started
Let's get the ball rolling.
You've planned your site, you've calculated costs...now it's time for the fun part! Get free expert advice on your plans, and check out the incentives to make sure you're not leaving any money on the table.
Schedule a free consultation
Ready to discuss your EV charging plans with an expert? Sign up for a free, 30-minute consultation to discuss your business needs, potentially including:
- A site visit, which may also help identify necessary facility upgrades for charging equipment
- Recommendations about which charging level to choose (Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Charging) and networked vs. non-networked charging
- An overview of managed charging technologies that may reduce your costs
- Strategies to minimize expenses and maximize the available incentives
Find your incentives
There are incentives available from the federal government, the State of Vermont, and electric utilities to help defray the cost of installing EV charging at your business or municipal building. Some of them are quite generous, so don’t miss this opportunity!
Get your team excited
If you're ready to install EV charging at your site, make sure the rest of your company or organization knows about it! That way, everyone can prepare for the change and get excited about it.
Not sure what to say? Check out our Charging for Businesses page for a refresher on the value that EV chargers bring to your business or organization.
Get connected
Discuss your charging plans with your electric utility to ensure electrical capacity is available, and to understand rates and any available incentives.
Work with an electrical contractor to get a detailed estimate for your project. If you don’t already have an electrician supporting your property’s construction and maintenance needs, here are some contractors who have experience with EV charging: