What you need to succeed with EV charging
Learn why networked charging creates a better overall experience
Choosing to invest in a networked solution gives you the control you need to launch a successful EV charging initiative. A cloud-based EV charging solution connects to a network and delivers a better experience for drivers and employers alike.
You’ll have total control to:
Limit charging to employees only
Set fees for charging and idling or offer free charging to employees
Increase station use with dynamic pricing
Use real-time data to better manage charging
Install more stations than electrical capacity
Share power among stations to reduce operating costs
Set energy limits to avoid high utility bills
Integrate with other third-party, back-office systems
EV charging solutions typically must be networked to qualify for certain grants and rebates, as well as LEED certification. And the more people who want to charge, the more important networked charging becomes.
Networked EV charging solutions enable you to customize policies governing who can charge when and how much it costs.
Choose to make your stations available for employees only, either just during work hours or all the time. Employees can get a special access code through a mobile app to let them use certain stations or pay less to charge.
To make the most of your EV charging solutions, you can set fees that encourage your employees to unplug when they're done charging. For example, you can initially provide free charging but after two hours of being plugged in, start charging a fee. This type of policy helps ensure that employees rotate their vehicles out so that stations can be used by as many employees as possible.
The ChargePoint platform is very user friendly and customizable, which allows our staff to set pricing to match different user groups such as fleet vehicles, employees and the public. In addition, ChargePoint is recognized by many EV drivers.
You may decide to offer EV charging to your customers or the general public as well as to your employees. Maybe your chargers are only available for public charging after hours.
Making stations available for public charging can be a way to generate indirect revenue. Set higher pricing during specific hours designated for public charging.
Choosing an EV charging solution that’s easy for your employees to access and manage with an app or from their computer will allow them to easily integrate EV charging into their everyday workflow. The ChargePoint app lets employees know when charging spots open up and also keeps them informed about their current charging status in real time, so they can stay focused on work. Employees can choose to use the online ChargePoint driver portal to access all of the same features available in the app.
A feature called Waitlist lets employees get in a virtual line to charge and receive notifications when a charging spot opens up. This feature helps make sure everyone has a chance to charge, giving employees peace of mind during their busy day. See how to use it in this video.
With the Tap to Charge feature, it's easy to start a charge. Just hold a phone with the ChargePoint app installed against any ChargePoint station to authorize the station for employee use, then plug in to start charging.Tap to Charge makes it simple for employees to charge at work, hassle-free — no cards, PIN pads or access codes required.
Being able to show people not just that we have EV charging spots, but whether they are currently available, and then enabling drivers to get in line if they aren’t — that just makes it stickier for our clients.
Power management software allows you to set up your solution so that available power can be shared across charging spots as needed. Energy management lets you set a maximum amount of power to use for charging, resulting in more reasonable utility bills. You'll be able to install more charging spots and control costs at the same time.
As more employees adopt EVs, you'll need more charging spots to accommodate everyone. Without networked charging, expansion could require expensive electrical upgrades and potentially result in higher energy bills. Fortunately, a networked solution enables you to set up flexible infrastructure today that will allow you to scale tomorrow.
Networked EV charging stations are easier and more enjoyable for employees to use, so they get used more often. When you choose a networked solution, more employees can charge with less effort — that's good news for their productivity and your EV charging program.
