How Long Does Charging an Electric Car Take
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Electric Vehicle charging stations are now widely available in the UK. However not all are compatible with every electric vehicle, therefore it is very important to check that you have chosen the right one for your requirements.
With the realization of the benefits of electric cars, business owners need to consider having a commercial EV charger installed. If you are a commercial property owner or manager, it is important to consider installing electric car charging stations. This may sound like a big investment, but it is an investment that will more than pay for itself.
In this guide, we will look at all there is to know about commercial chargers for electric vehicles and review some of the best providers on the market.
What Are Commercial EV Charging Stations?
Before we look at the various providers, it is important to have a clear understanding of what a commercial EV charging station is. These charging stations are different from the standard wall plug chargers, as they have a higher power output and can charge your car much faster.
There are three main types of commercial electric vehicle chargers:
1. AC (Alternating Current) Level 1: The AC charging station is the most common and works just like a standard household plug point. Both input and output cables are supplied by default. It will give you a slow charge but do not be tempted to buy any other type, as this will damage your car’s batteries.
2. AC (Alternating Current) Level 2: The AC charging station is the most common and works just like a standard household plug point. The output cable needs to be purchased separately, but this should not put you off. This model has an input of 208-240V AC at 10A or 20A maximum. It gives about 4 miles per hour of charge when connected via a standard socket.
3. DC (Direct Current) Fast Charger: The DC charging station is capable of inputting 480 or 600 volts direct current and can charge your electric vehicle at much faster rates than the AC option. This type of charger will give you about 20 miles per hour of charge, which makes it ideal for vehicles that need to recharge quickly.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Commercial Charging Unit?
Before purchasing a commercial electric vehicle charging station, there are a number of factors that need to be considered:
1. What type of charger do you need?
There are three main types on the market and each has its benefits and drawbacks. The AC charger is the least effective as it only has a standard household plug socket. However, this will suit those who have basic charging needs.
The AC charging station is the most common and works just like a standard household plug point. Both input and output cables are supplied by default. It gives about 4 miles per hour of charge when connected via a standard socket.
The DC charging station is capable of inputting 480 or 600 volts of direct current and can charge your electric vehicle at much faster rates than the AC option. This type of charger will give you about 20 miles per hour of charge, which makes it ideal for vehicles that need to recharge quickly.
2. How many car spaces are you expecting to serve?
If you are planning on using the electric car charging station for public use, then it is important that you have one per parking space. This ensures that there is no issue regarding availability to the EV drivers.. If this is not an option due to the layout of your property or area, consider installing multiple chargers in different spots so people will not have to walk too far from the car parks..
3. What is your budget?
Before deciding on EV charge points, it is important to decide on a budget and stick to it. This ensures that you get the best deal for your particular situation and will help you make the correct decision in terms of levels of charging and additional features such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity.
4. Consider installation costs
It is recommended that you purchase a commercial electric vehicle charger that takes care of the installation process, as hiring an electrician can be costly and time-consuming. Some companies will install EV chargers free of charge for their clients if they meet certain criteria – contact them directly to find out more.
Top 5 Commercial EV Charging Providers in the UK
Over the past decade, the demand for electric cars has been on the rise. As a result, there is a need to have commercial charging points. The market is flooded with quite a number of providers. We have reviewed a good number of them and narrowed them to the top 5 providers. Here are our top choices:
1. Pod Point
Pod Point is one of the most popular commercial electric vehicle chargers that are currently available to buy. Their Level 2 model comes with a three-year warranty and supports AC or DC charging at up to 22 kW. It is fully compatible with all EVs on the market, including Tesla models. Pod Point have also made their products easy to install using their own installation service if you are not confident in getting it done by an electrician.
2. Tesla
Tesla is an EV charging manufacturer that focuses on the production of high standard chargers. They produce both residential and commercial electric car chargers for home, business, or public use. These are available in various models to suit all budgets and requirements. The company offers a three-year warranty with each product sold – perfect if you have any issues with the machine.
3. Chargemaster
Chargemaster is a long-established UK company that specialises in charging solutions for both homes and businesses. They offer a wide range of products such as home chargers, commercial chargers and EV charging units suitable for public use. You can also contact them if you require any additional installation services.
4. Shell Recharge
Shell Recharge offers quick and reliable service for all your home, office or public electric vehicle needs. Their products are compatible with any type of EV on the market. You can choose from several different models to suit your budget – their fast chargers are capable of giving your car up to 80% charge in just 30 minutes.
5. Instavolt Recharge
Instavolt Recharge is another highly recommended commercial electric car charging provider in the UK. They are available to answer any questions you may have regarding their services, which include several fast chargers that are suitable for both public and residential use. Their team can provide all installation services required, making it convenient for EV driving customers by removing one of the most difficult tasks.
Benefits of Commercial EV Charging Points
It is essential that businesses have a plan for commercial electric vehicle chargers as the demand increases by the day. This ensures that your customers are satisfied and you can enjoy a stronger foothold in your market. Here are some benefits of commercial EV charging stations.:
Future-proof your Property: If your business is located in an area with a growing population, then installing commercial EV charging facilities will be of benefit to you. This ensures that your customers are satisfied and do not have to worry about their electric car running out of charge.
Increase Business Value: A fast-charging service on your property increases the value of the property itself – this can be seen in the commercial property market. As a result, it is highly recommended that you install a commercial EV charging point on your property.
Save Money: Depending on the type of commercial charger you purchase, running costs can be reduced to a bare minimum. Furthermore, there are certain grants available for businesses who invest in electric vehicle chargers – you can do a quick search to see what grants are available in your area.
Owning a commercial EV charging point for your business is beneficial to both the environment and your money. It is essential that you have a plan of what type of commercial charger you want so you can invest in one that benefits your customers the most.
How much does it cost to install a commercial EV charging Point?
Commercial electric vehicle charging units come in different sizes and models, and therefore there is no ‘one size fits all answer to what you can expect to pay for installation. However, the price will depend on:
The type of charger you install – rapid chargers are typically more expensive than a standard unit. You also need to take into account the types of units at your property, for example, if you have an office block with multiple floors it might be more cost-effective to install one centrally.
The size of the unit you purchase – the larger the capacity, the higher the price will be. You also need to think about where you want to place EV chargers – this is especially important for fast chargers as they need to be installed on a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete.
The type of installation required – EV charging units can usually be fixed into position quickly and easily without too much hassle which will save time and money on installation. However, if you have specific requirements such as needing to excavate the area to lay cables, this will obviously incur an extra cost.
The space at your property – if you have a business such as a hotel or a restaurant with designated parking spaces for customers, it will be easier to install commercial chargers than if you only have a small garage to fit them in.
Our Recommendation
It’s not always necessary to have ultra rapid chargers available for EV owners, especially if you have smaller units or it is free for them to use. As a result, we recommend going with a standard commercial EV charging point as they are cheaper and take up less space requiring less installation work.
Pod Point is one of the largest suppliers of commercial electric vehicle chargers in the UK. They can supply, install and integrate your business with an EV charger point which will make life easier for your customers while increasing the value of your property.
Do you want to find out more about commercial electric vehicle charging? Contact us today for more information.
