Businesses: What EV Equipment Should You Install?

Estimates predict as many as 35 million electric vehicles (EVs) will be on U.S. roads by 2030. (Source)

To support this expected boom in EV adoption, new charging infrastructure will be needed in places where people park their cars for extended periods of time, such as apartments and places of business. Why? For convenience and the time it takes to get a charge. But there are different types of chargers, so it's important to know which is right for your business.

Having commercial EV chargers at your business location offers many benefits, like attracting and retaining talent, positioning your company as an innovative leader in sustainability, and improving overall employee and customer experiences at your location.

Available Equipment

There are several EV charging options. There are different costs and benefits associated with each one. The following gives an overview of those options to help you make the right decision for your business needs and your budget. To help your organization make a decision, Ameren Missouri also offers this QuickStart Guide that covers everything you need to know about installing EV charging equipment, including how to find EV charging installation companies.

Types of Charging Equipment

Level 1: Easy

Level 1 charging uses standard 120-V AC plugs and usually provides about 4-5 miles of range per hour. Most EVs come with a cord for Level 1 charging. These chargers can easily be installed at workplaces or community locations.

Level 2: Faster

Level 2 charging is also common for homes and public spaces. It uses a 240-volt or 208-volt electrical connection and usually provides about 25 miles of range per hour or a full charge in 4-8 hours. Level 2 EVSE requires a dedicated circuit of 20 to 80 amps, depending on the specific requirements of the chosen EVSE. Level 2 chargers are essentially a universal connector.

DC Fast Charging: Fastest

A DC fast charger can provide up to an 80% charge in 30 minutes. DC fast charging requires a higher power supply, typically 480 volts and 100-plus amps. The charging rate depends on the battery design of the EV and the maximum rate of the charger. Today’s EVs can accept DC charging rates ranging from 50 kW to 150 kW, while some near-future EVs will have charging rates above 300 kW. DC fast chargers today have the capability of delivering power at a rate of 50 kW to 350 kW. Before a DC charging session begins, the EV and the charger communicate to determine the appropriate charging rate for the EV batteries. DC fast charging infrastructure is essential for enabling long-distance EV travel and is being developed throughout the country to connect cities.

On-site EV Charging: A Benefit Employees, Tenants & Customers Will Love

To decide which type of EV charging to install at your place of business, consider your goals and who you’ll be serving. How much time are people spending at your facility? What would bring the most benefit to the people working at and visiting your organization?

At office buildings, workplace EV chargers will help your organization create a stronger overall culture and satisfaction…and encourage continued electric vehicle adoption, which is great for the environment.

• For smaller campuses, where moving vehicles is relatively easy, 32-amp Level 2 chargers may be shared and allow multiple users in one day. Another consideration is length of employee commutes.
• For larger campuses with hundreds of employees — where moving vehicles and sharing chargers is inconvenient or distracting — 16-amp Level 2 chargers can be used to provide 12 miles of range per hour of charge. With relatively low power requirements, this might allow for more charging stations without more expensive infrastructure upgrades. Some charging stations can split a single electrical feed into two 16-amp stations. This flexibility can also help save on infrastructure requirements and installation costs.

Retail destinations like malls, restaurants, grocery stores, hotels and more can often benefit from Level 2 charging as well as DC Fast charging. Visitors are able to fill or top off their vehicle while at these locations utilizing services, shopping or staying overnight. This approach can also attract new customers for these businesses by offering charging as an amenity.

A multi-family dwelling like a large apartment building is another place where charging station installation can be a great benefit. Dedicated 32-amp Level 2 charging stations are preferred for residents who drive EVs to ensure they have the peace of mind to access charging whenever needed without the difficulty of coordinating with neighbors.

Incentives Available

As you consider the costs with EV charging options, you should also factor in incentives for which you may be eligible. Ameren Missouri, for example, currently has a generous incentive program to encourage business customers to install EV chargers at their locations, paying up to 50% of the total project cost. You can learn more about those incentives on their website.

Learn more about installing EV charging at your business.