With the increasing interest in electric vehicles, a whole host of necessary changes to the infrastructure have come about, from retailers introducing EV charging points with customer parking, to electric car charging points for businesses.
Targets such as ensuring that the majority of new cars and vans are electric by 2030 mean that now is the ideal time for businesses to assess which EV charging solutions are likely to fit every individual need.
EV charging can have a hugely positive impact on your business, bringing benefits to both you, your employees and the environment.
Benefits of EV charging in the workplace
At Solar Power NI, we supply public EV charging points for businesses all over the country and are passionate about driving the future-forward. If you are interested in installing charging points and improving the sustainability of your business, here are a few benefits to consider:
Additional Revenue Stream
Everyone that uses the charging stations will be paying you to charge their vehicles. Yes, you’ll be using more electricity which will be reflected in your bills, but, if you have the right energy contracts in place,you’ll begin to see a nice profit emerging that can be invested elsewhere into your business. Some firms have even taken the extra step of generating their own energy from renewables (e.g. solar) and battery storage, allowing them to truly maximise their margins.
Simply speaking, you’re creating a new revenue stream that didn’t exist before. And the best thing about it? It’s a growing market. As we said earlier, the number of electric cars on UK roads grew by over 25% in 2018 alone. If you think the market is profitable now, just think where it could be in a few years’ time.
Drive traffic and new custom to your business
Whilst onsite charging points are ideal for staff with electric vehicles, don’t forget that people from outside your business will be drawn to your premises as well.
Charging points are still few and far between in many areas of the UK, so drivers will often use websites such as zap map to find the nearest one. How many people would turn down that additional footfall, especially if you’re a shop or store owner? Imagine your store’s car park has a charging point and your competitor doesn’t, which destination is someone driving an electric vehicle likely to choose?
Depending on the nature of your business, you might even want to consider offering the electricity for free, as the extra footfall to your site could provide revenue far exceeding what you’d charge for electricity.
EV Charging Reduces Carbon Footprint
Social responsibility is key for businesses today and enabling greener transport is a crucial part of that. EV charging at the workplace sends a clear and visible message about where the business stands with respect to reducing the environmental impact of its operations and personnel. Not to mention, with workplace car charging, your business can dramatically reduce CO² emissions and the amount of carbon tax paid on those emissions.
Employee attraction and retention
Buildings or companies that offer charging may be able to attract and retain employees who want to charge EVs during the day. In addition, it can be very important to many employees, even those who do not drive EVs, that their building or employer is proactive with transportation planning.
Advertising opportunities
Every time that an EV driver visits a charging station, there is an opportunity to advertise. A station host could advertise its own products or services in this way, or sell advertising space to another organization.
Opens up the conversation
Electric vehicles are still relatively new in the automobile market, and you might be surprised at how much of the population has no clue about all their benefits. A charging station can become the catalyst that brings more awareness to those customers—and perhaps even convert them into future EV drivers who utilize the stations at your business.
Encourage a sustainable message
Lastly, having workplace charging and a fleet of electric vehicles will help improve your business image. This will not only be to your employees but also to customers. By being proactive and contributing to a more eco-friendly environment, you will be seen as a business leader in sustainability.
For more information about how EV charging could benefit your business, contact our team of experts at Solar Power NI.
