How to choose an EV charger for business
As you already know, your business can benefit with the installation of an EV charging station. Still, the scale of these advantages greatly depends on the solution you choose. That is to say, you need the EVSE of power type and output that is appropriate for your business goals.
To help you make a confident decision, here we discuss the main aspects you need to consider.
The choice between an AC or DC EV charger
To understand whether your business needs AC or DC charging station, think about the purpose of its installation and its end users. In other words, think closely about why you plan to install an EV charger and what cars it is supposed to feed.
As a rule, a DC charging station is appropriate only when two reasons come together. First, you are going to arrange a EV charging point as your business (or one of its branches). Second, your target audience is the EV drivers who need rapid charging to save their time.
On the contrary, if you plan to install a station as a workplace scheme or as an additional tool to attract customers, an AC charging solution is quite sufficient.
By the way, you can buy our commercial electric vehicle charging stations that deal both with AC and DC charging methods.
Required charging power
Here, we come to the choice not only between fast and rapid EVSEs but between the power output within the group. Note, we don’t speak about slow EV chargers as these are mostly home solutions. So, for example, your options can be:
- 7 kWh
- 22 kWh
- 30 kWh and more
If you plan to use the EVSE to top up your personnel’s EV batteries, a 7-kWh charger may perfectly suit your needs. However, if you plan to feed your company’s fleet (especially if you use it intensively for long-distance rides), we recommend installing a more powerful solution.
Also, a 7-kWh charger is a good choice if you, for example, have a small catering business and plan to offer EV charging facilities to your customers for free. In this case, you will still have your competitive advantages while not overpaying for it. Still, for larger businesses, the charging business, or businesses, which target audience mostly includes the drivers of more powerful electric vehicles, we recommend choosing EV stations that can provide 22 kWh and more.
Required cables and connectors
For business, we always recommend installing an EV charger with at least two cables. First, because it can charge two cars simultaneously. Second, because you can equip it with two different connector types, if necessary.
Therefore, you need to have a clear idea of what connectors you need. For example, if you install EVSE as workplace charging facilities, analyze what types of charging port your personnel’s cars are equipped with. However, in case you install it to offer extra charging facilities to your customers, choose the most common connector types. Typically, it is a Type 2 connector. However, you’d better offer a Type 1connector as well, because this connector type is also popular.
At least, if you plan to arrange an EV charging business, install a complex with more cable options. First, in this case your equipment will be able to feed more cars simultaneously. Second, you will be able to meet almost all connector needs of your customers.
For example, at Auto E you can buy charging complexes with four and even five cables. These complexes provide both AC and DC charging and are equipped with all popular connector types.