EV charging station business models for the workplace [2023 update]

Last updated on March 24th, 2023

When it comes to workplace EV charging, there are two primary business models that companies can consider, depending on their goals and needs.

Workplace EV Charging Business Models

  1. EV charging as an employee benefit

    This model allows employees to charge their vehicles for free. It's a great way to support sustainability efforts and enhance the overall employee experience.

  2. EV charging as a revenue-generating service

    In this model, users—whether employees or visitors—pay for the electricity they consume. This approach can help offset costs and even generate additional income for the company.

For example, you could offer a discounted rate to your employees while charging full price for customers and visitors. This not only helps bring in extra revenue but also makes your charging infrastructure more accessible to others.

Each model has its own set of pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your organization’s specific circumstances. In most cases, using charging management software is recommended to streamline operations and handle transactions efficiently.

This article explores the two most common workplace EV charging business models and how they can benefit your company.

A close up shot of a corporate office building surrounded by trees.

More of your employees will start driving electric cars

Across the world, the electric vehicle (EV) market is booming. Sales doubled in 2021, increased by 60% in 2022, surpassed the 10 million milestone for the first time, and now account for 8.3% of the global car market. We're clearly moving toward electric mobility, and workplaces are no exception.

Many organizations that provide company cars to their employees are now looking into electrifying their fleet. Not only is this a more sustainable option, but it's also economically viable in the long run. While EVs may seem pricier upfront, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is already lower than that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in many cases.

Even if your organization doesn’t have a fleet, installing EV charging stations at your facility can still make sense.

EV charging at work

As more people switch to electric vehicles, more of your employees will likely drive them. Offering EV charging at your workplace can help attract new talent and boost employee satisfaction.

One of the main benefits of driving an EV is the ability to charge wherever you park, saving trips to gas stations. While home charging is ideal, workplaces are the second most desired location for EV drivers to charge their vehicles.

Man using EVBox Liviqo AC business charging station to charge his car at the office.

Help employees make the switch to electric mobility

Employees living in urban areas might not have access to a charger at home due to lack of space or difficulty connecting to the grid. For these individuals, workplace charging can be a game-changer.

By offering EV charging, you reduce range anxiety and encourage more employees to go electric. Even if it’s not free, a discounted rate can serve as an added benefit and potentially generate revenue.

Beyond supporting employees, workplace EV charging can also benefit your business in other ways.

Happy colleagues during a meeting.

EV charging at your workplace for visitors

Many businesses see more visitors than just employees in their parking lots. Whether it’s clients, partners, or customers, more of them are driving electric vehicles and would appreciate the convenience of charging at your office.

Depending on your location and usage, opening up some spots for the public could be a good idea. This can bring in revenue, attract new customers, or both.

EVBox Liviqo - blog banner

EV charging business models

Let’s dive into the different business models for offering EV charging at your organization.

1. Free EV charging at work

Offering free EV charging at work can be a powerful employee benefit. It's part of the broader employee value proposition (EVP), which plays a key role in attracting and retaining top talent.

According to Gallup, 71% of workers consider a company’s environmental record when choosing an employer. Free EV charging is one way to show your commitment to sustainability and stand out from competitors.

While not the only factor in employee satisfaction, it can be a highly appreciated benefit.

A businessman holding a smartphone to start his EV charging session.

2. Workplace EV charging to generate revenue

Another approach is to charge for EV charging and even open it to third parties. This can create an additional revenue stream and help cover the cost of electricity used.

Depending on your business type and location, publicly accessible chargers can put your business "on the map," drawing in EV drivers and potentially increasing sales of other services.

You can offer discounted rates to employees or set limits on free charging. Different pricing models can be used, such as flat-rate hourly or per-day charges, or based on energy consumption.

An overview of elements needed to estimate the gross revenue one can make from a charging session. It shows the average energy usage per charging session ( 25 kWh), Energy cost per kWh ($0.10), Marked-up price you charge the driver per kWh ($0.45), and the estimated gross revenue per charging session ($11.25). A disclaimer below the table reads: Data provided above is an estimation based on average market usage and changes depending on the region.

Whether you choose to offer free charging or charge for it, managing multiple user groups requires flexibility in payment methods and settings. This complexity often calls for charging management software to streamline operations.

Charging management system software for workplace EV charging

In today's digital age, having access to data and insights is essential for making informed decisions. Modern EV charging stations often come with connectivity to software management systems.

A good charging management system allows you to manage your assets, set different tariffs, and analyze driver behavior. It also helps improve energy efficiency through smart features like load balancing.

EVBox Everon business portal dashboard

Smart charging software ensures accurate billing and simplifies payments, reducing manual work and ensuring a smooth process. It also provides reporting tools to track usage patterns and optimize energy use.

A road with many twists and surrounded by green.

The rapidly growing need for EV charging infrastructure

As more people adopt electric vehicles, consumer attitudes are shifting. Almost half of drivers are considering buying an EV, and we need sufficient charging infrastructure to meet this demand.

According to ChargeUp Europe’s State of the Industry report, the number of EU charging points is expected to grow sharply from about 3 million today to nearly 30 million by 2030. Workplace chargers are projected to increase from 10% to 15% of the total.

In the US, the International Council on Clean Transportation found that public charging, including workplace charging, must grow to 2.4 million non-home chargers to support the goal of EVs being 100% of new car sales by 2040. In the UK, workplace chargers already outnumber public ones.

Workplaces around the world are in a unique position to enter a growing market, satisfy employees, attract new talent, or even add an additional revenue stream.

Read more about workplace EV charging in our complete and free guide or check out our workplace charging solution.

Galvanized Steel Plate

Galvanized Steel Plate,4X8 Galvanized Steel Sheets,Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel Plate,Galvanized Steel Base Plates

Shandong Great Steel Co.,Ltd , https://www.great-steel.com