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By | 30 May 2022

The Complete Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Retail Locations

Electric vehicle fast-charging station

The Role of Electric Vehicle Charging in Retail

The electric car industry is booming, but drivers confront a major issue: there are plenty of petrol stations but not enough commercial EV fast-charging station. This is concerning since there are now over 1.8 million electric passenger vehicles on the road, with that number likely to skyrocket over the next decade.

Retailers may attract more consumers and boost customer loyalty by installing and running electric vehicle charging stations. It generates extra money by offering EV users items and services while they wait for charging, such as coffee or food, vehicle cleaning services, or fast hair and manicure salon services. To entice consumers, retailers might employ charging stations to provide free Wi-Fi, free parking, or even free charging sessions.

Retail business owners and managers also have an option in how they wish to put EV fast-charging station on their premises. They may put them in parking lots or outside the business, or they can put them inside.

All of this will be beneficial:

1. Provide a service that is in great demand.

2. Increase company exposure in the community.

3. Enhance your image by positioning yourself as a green company.

4. Provide EV charging as an amenity to encourage consumers to stay longer in your store(s). While waiting for their vehicle battery to charge, many EV drivers may remain at a spot longer.

However, before installing an EV charger, it's a good idea to learn about the many kinds of EV chargers and how they vary. Check out our online resources page and get our free EV charging guidebook if you're new to EV charging.

Why should you charge your electric vehicle quickly?

Of course, fast charging is far faster than slow charging. And if you're out and about and plan to leave your vehicle parked for a while, it's the perfect answer for charging your EV while it's idle.

Nonetheless, some evidence suggests that frequent rapid DC fast charging stations might shorten the life of lithium-ion batteries. The good news is that electric vehicles (EVs) automatically restrict power to its maximum capacity to save battery damage. If the automobile detects that too much power is being delivered to the battery too often, the rate of charge is immediately reduced.

Electric vehicle rapid charging

Rapid chargers employ a high-powered direct or alternating current to quickly recharge a vehicle. They can charge an electric vehicle to 80% capacity in 20 to 30 minutes (with the final 20 percent usually taking another 20 minutes). Pretty quick!

Various Electric Vehicle Charging Stations for Retail Locations

Retailers must provide a choice of EV charging alternatives to attract the rising number of electric car owners. Customers will be interested in slow and fast chargers, as well as networked charging stations that can be accessed through mobile applications.

Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (DCFC) chargers are the two kinds of EV fast-charging station available for retail establishments. Today, level 2 chargers are the most common form of charger seen in stores. Because they are excellent for dwell durations of 4 to 8 hours, they may also be found in residences, enterprises, or offices. Shoppers connect to these chargers for convenience, since they may be spending hours at a mall or just want some power while enjoying supper and a movie. Customers are being enticed to remain longer by retailers providing free or cheap charging outside their businesses.

The quickest chargers are Level 3 chargers, often known as DC fast chargers (DCFCs). These are more costly than Level 2 and are often used in emergencies. In 15 minutes, DCFC can charge a vehicle up to 100 miles of range, or an EV battery up to 80% in 20-40 minutes.

Any retail establishment would benefit from both L2 and DCFC charging stations. The advantages they give will surpass any initial expenditures, and they will pay for themselves in the long term. According to research conducted by the Department of Energy, a single charging station may pay for itself in less than seven years. Meanwhile, the cost of running a charging station is modest, and EV drivers who use the stations often pay for them.

Installing EV Charging Stations Pays Off for Retailers

While there are several EV charging stations for retail locations, it is critical to choose the one that will provide you with the highest return on investment. The cost of installing a station isn't the only factor to consider. There's also the electric load factor for each place, as well as whether or not the region is accessible to consumers.

BTMS Systems for Power Demand Management

Researchers are looking to BTMS solutions to ease grid effects and reduce costs since the impact of EV charging is expected to overshadow the already large power needs of retail locations. Integrated energy systems, such as electric vehicle charging, solar photovoltaic generating, and energy-efficient buildings with regulated loads, may reduce overall system costs significantly. This research aids in the identification of potential BTMS applications, such as the use of thermal energy storage to replace refrigeration and cooling demands during peak EV charging periods.

How EV Charging Infrastructure Will Affect Our Shopping Habits

Electricity is the future of retail. You may expect to see electric cars on the road and numerous charging stations in shopping malls, restaurants, companies, and other public areas as we get closer to a more sustainable future.

Battery-powered automobiles will alter not just how we travel but also how we purchase. Retailers who provide electric vehicle charging to customers and staff are meeting an increasing consumer need that will only expand over time. Customers paying for charging and participating in carbon offset markets provide extra income opportunities for business owners who make this commitment. Furthermore, by installing EV charging stations, merchants may satisfy their ecological targets.

Choosing the Correct Public Charging Level for Your Electric Vehicle

To begin, stay away from level 1 charging stations. They are too sluggish and are not designed to meet the demands of EV drivers when driving. If you want to charge your electric vehicle as quickly as possible, pick a level 3 charger. These EV fast-charging station will provide your EV with a lot of range in a short period. However, DCFC charging is only effective if your battery's state of charge (SOC) is less than 80%. After then, charging will considerably slow down.

As a result, after your vehicle has reached 80% charge, you should connect it to a level 2 charger, since the remaining 20% of charging is as quick as a level 3 station, but it is much cheaper. Continue your trip and charge your electric vehicle to 80% at the next level 3 charger you come across. If time is not an issue and you want to stop at a charger for many hours, you should choose a level 2 charger, which is slower but less costly.

SELECT THE BEST EV CHARGING STATIONS FOR BUSINESS

When it comes to EV charging stations, there are several possibilities. A DC rapid charge, multiple degrees of AC charge, and numerous converters for different brands are all available. For manufacturers, there are several degrees of AC charge, a DC rapid charge, and a range of converters.

The number of electric vehicle charging stations you install will be determined by the nature of your company and the kind of clients you wish to attract. It will also be determined by the kind of your company and the demographics you attract.

Increase income by increasing customer loyalty

Retailers are progressively investing in publicly accessible charging stations for a variety of reasons, including attracting new consumers, boosting in-store dwell time and spending per visit, diversifying their income streams, and improving their brand image.

As stores begin to incorporate electric vehicle (EV) charging, having a trustworthy EVSE supplier that knows your business strategy is critical. They can help you choose the appropriate charging solutions, construct the optimal system design, install and activate your equipment correctly, and provide the support and diagnostics you need to be successful.

Conclusion

The transportation sector must adapt to the particular restrictions of middle- and lower-income families to achieve widespread electrification of personal automobiles. EV users now have few public charging alternatives, depending largely on overnight charging at their homes. Many individuals lack access to simple at-home charging as the number of multi-family households in the United States grows. Big-box shops may be able to provide a solution by incorporating EV charging into drivers' weekly activities. This option appeals to shops as well, since over 90% of EV drivers make purchases while charging on the location.

Efficiency: DC charging stations are increasingly integrated with renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, enhancing the sustainability of EV charging.