This month we met with Mark Walton to discuss how EV charging is impacting companies, and the steps they need to take to optimise their EV charging strategy.
In your experience, have you noticed an increase in demand for EV charging stations at workplaces?
Undoubtedly the demand for EV charging infrastructure is increasing at a staggering pace. The latest data released by ZapMap in January 2024 revealed that the number of public charging points installed in the UK increased by 45% in 2023 to over 53,000. While the precise number of non-public chargers isn’t known, it is estimated that there are currently over 680,000 points across home and workplace locations. At SEE our experience mirrors this data, with an increasing number of customers looking to install EV chargers at commercial premises. We have now installed & maintained well over 3,000 EV chargers across the UK and this number is growing every day.
What factors do you believe are contributing to this growth?
Our customers span across a broad spectrum of sectors, from the NHS to retail, and as such the reason they need EV chargers varies. For many of our customers their net-zero initiatives include the transition of their own vehicles to electric, which requires new EV charging infrastructure to operate their fleet. While for other customers EV charging has become an important part of their strategy to attract and retain customers. In addition, supporting employees who have their own EVs, enhancing brand image and generating revenue are also contributing to the growth in commercial EV chargers.
What key steps would you advise a customer to follow in their EV charging journey?
There are three key steps when installing EV chargers. First there is the development of the overall solution design which includes technology selection, site assessment, power availability, and third-party planning and permissions. The second phase is installation, from project planning to the civils & commissioning and of software set up. Finally, the third phase is the ongoing operation and maintenance of the hardware, with annual PPMs, reactive support and software to manage billing, generate reports etc.
I would always advise a customer to work with an EV specialist like SEE-V who can help them optimise their charging solutions for their business need. And, because we are an end-to-end provider independent from all manufacturers and operators, we provide expert advice & support that they can trust at each stage of their journey to net-zero.
Can businesses afford to install EV chargers?
Many businesses simply can’t afford to not install chargers! Without them they risk missing net-zero targets and losing customers. But of course, there is a cost associated with both the installation and ongoing maintenance of EV chargers. SEE-V offer a few different purchasing models. Where customers have available capital, outright purchase is a popular choice, it gives the customer control of the assets, and they receive any revenue generated. However, funded solutions are also very popular, where the charging solution is fully or part-funded by a third party, reducing or even eliminating upfront costs. In these models’ revenue generated is shared and OZEV grants are still available.
Because SEE is an expert in property and infrastructure, we also work with our customers to develop ‘Payback’ models. These incorporate a wider suite of sustainability related solutions which when delivered as a package help to release capital to invest in EV chargers.
SEE-V is an end-to-end EV solution provider. Independent from all manufacturers, we guide you through every stage of your journey from design and installation, through to ongoing lifecycle management. Our holistic sustainability solutions combined with our flexible purchase and funding options will accelerate your journey to net-zero.
Find out more here.