Key considerations in commercial EV charger installs

As electric vehicles (EVs) become popular, the need for charging infrastructure is rapidly growing. However, installing chargers in commercial locations comes with its fair share of complexities. While L2 charger installations may appear “simpler” on the surface compared to DC fast charging installations, nuances and variations across sites create complexities that must be anticipated and managed for a successful installation. In this blog post, we'll explore some important considerations in bringing EV charging to commercial spaces.

1. Assess the power capacity and requirements

Can the existing electrical infrastructure handle the added power demands of EV chargers? In addition to assessing the electrical infrastructure on-site, customers’ utility bills can be helpful. Make sure to use past 12 months’ bills to account for seasonality. Also ask customers about any large loads that they may have added more recently.

2. Consider smart load management to avoid electrical upgrades

Sometimes, circuit box or service upgrades are required. Consider innovative load management technologies that can potentially prevent costly electrical upgrades. Read more about EV load management here.

3. Charger placement matters

The location of chargers can significantly affect the installation cost due to factors such as wiring length, need for trenching, and repaving. These elements contribute to material and labor costs.

4. Site visits are vital, but re-visits are expensive!

Needing to repeat site visits is expensive and creates poor customer experience. Capturing accurate and complete information in one visit is crucial, so we recommend developing a comprehensive checklist and data collection form.

5. Future-proof the site

With further growth of EVs on the road, the demand for chargers will continue to grow. Future-proofing sites - for instance, installing infrastructure that allows easy addition of EVSE - can save customers money in the long run and strengthen your relationship with them.

6. Don’t forget about network connectivity

Network connectivity often becomes an after-thought for newer installers, but this can be costly. Having to add expensive networking equipment cost mid-construction can mean change orders and unpleasant surprises for customers. Make sure to consider network connectivity early on in the planning process!

7. Remember commissioning can take time

The final installation step involves commissioning and activating the charging management software. While some are pre-configured to minimize steps needed in the field, others can be more complex (eg, needing to call vendor’s support line). Understanding the procedure in advance can help reduce unexpected wait times in the field.

Other Factors

This is not an exhaustive list. Beyond these, there are many other factors to consider - eg, Incentives & rebates, permitting, and more. Email us at hello@monterra.ai if there are specific factors you'd like us to deep-dive on in our next blog post!

About Monterra. Monterra is a software company helping EV charging installers design & sell projects faster. Monterra simplifies site design by “automating away” some of the complexities highlighted above. With our mobile and web apps, installers collect & compile data from site-walks more efficiently, quickly simulate different site layouts, automatically estimate install costs for each, and auto-generate sales proposals that are sure to impress customers. Contact us at hello@monterra.ai to learn more!