Why should I install EV charging at my workplace?

With electric vehicles on the rise and with a promise of 0 net emissions by 2050, the UK government has rolled out a workplace electric vehicle charging scheme that could see your workplace install EV charging points and the government foot 75% (up to £350) per socket.

How will EV charging benefit my business?

The biggest and most obvious benefit is customer attraction. Electric vehicle owners are looking to charge their vehicles up overnight or whilst out for the day, and if you can bring them to a car park with an electric vehicle charging point, you're almost guaranteed to get them through the door. With electric vehicle charging points few and far between in the UK, you can add a major benefit to your building by offering electric vehicle charging.

Employee Perks of Workplace EV charging

It's no secret that your current and future employees have their eye on the perks that your organisation offers. By offering workplace EV charging, you are keeping your EV-owning employees happy while incentivising others to go green. According to a study from Go Ultra Low, 69% of employees agreed that the business they work for could do more for the environment - and EV chargers give you the perfect opportunity to show that your company is leading the charge in reducing emissions and becoming eco-friendly, which is something many employees wish they could say about their organisation.

Being able to charge your vehicle while you work instead of using a slow home charger is a game-changer for the employee who values their time at home, and would rather not spend it watching their cars charge up ready for work the next day. This helps your business attract and keep the talent that it needs to succeed.

The environmental impact

Eco-friendliness is an ever-increasing trend and the need for green solutions to pollution caused by petrol and diesel vehicles has been a discussion ever since the 1900s when electric cars were gaining popularity. Research has proven that customers are voting with their wallets, with 66% of global consumers willing to pay more for a product if they believe that the company they are buying from is environmentally responsible. The pressure for companies in the UK to reduce our carbon footprints is only increasing, and electric vehicles are a surefire way to do your bit towards the environment. EDF Energy says that in over a year, just one electric car on the roads can save the equivalent of four return flights from London to Barcelona.

How many electric cars are on the road?

There is no doubt that electric cars are on the rise. The UK government announced in November 2020 that they are set to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars after 2030. This is part of their green initiative to achieve 0 net emissions by 2050. This has driven electric vehicle and EV charging systems up as people optimise for the initiative. According to RAC, over 250,000 new electric vehicles were registered in the UK in 2020, and the numbers will only continue to rise. Introducing electric vehicle charging points to your workplace ensures that your business is future-proofed, and you'll be prepared when the petrol and diesel ban comes in and the UK's roads go green.

The RAC has estimated that there are around 239,000 BEV's on the roads in the UK in April 2021. That's 239,000 people potentially looking for an electric vehicle charging point while out on the road.

Not only are you promoting your business to all-electric vehicle users, but you are encouraging them to promote your business via word-of-mouth to other EV users. Electric vehicle users have created several community groups which discuss selling, buying, and where to charge electric vehicles. By allowing EV owners to charge at your business, you are attracting loyal customers who won't hesitate to recommend you to their EV-owning friends, family, and coworkers.

Electric Vehicle charging for a fleet

If your organisation uses a fleet, the benefits of workplace EV charging can increase for you. Using solar panels will allow you to use the sun's energy to charge your EV fleet, saving you money on fuel and electric costs. Moreover, if you find yourself with excess energy you can take part in the vehicle grid scheme, which sees electric vehicle owners save or even make money from selling their electricity back to the national power supply. Installing a charging point in your workplace can eliminate the need for employees to charge their vehicle at home with reimbursed energy costs, saving the organisation potential problems with uncharged vehicles and admin costs to reimburse employees. Electric vehicle fleets provide several advantages to your business including reduces maintenance costs, and eco-friendliness.

Government Rebates

On top of the workplace charging scheme, the government will offer rebates when you purchase a new zero-emission vehicle.

The UK government offers rebates for the purchase of new zero-emission vehicles:

35% up to £2,500 for cars valued under £35,000.

35% up to £3,000 for small vans

35% up to £6,000 for large vans

20% up to £16,000 for trucks, limited to 10 per customer.

Additionally, The Treasury has introduced a 0% BIK tax rate for pure electric company cars in 2020/21, rising to 1% for 2021/22. Company car tax rates had already been published up until 2024/25, with the BIK rate for zero-emission cars rising to 2% in 2022/23 and staying at that rate for the tax years 2023/24 and 2024/25

The workplace charging scheme

If the benefits aren't clear to you yet - how about this:

The UK government will contribute up to 75% of the purchase and installation costs of EV charging points, up to £350 per socket with a maximum of 40 points across all sites for each applicant. If your application is successful, the UK government will issue a voucher that could see them pay up to £14,000 to install charging points in your workplace. Read our post about government grants available for EV charging.

In summary, your business can save money, time, keep your employees happy, save the earth and increase your brand reputation all in one.

How do I install an EV charger with the workplace charging scheme (WCS)?

Beacon Power is an OZEV-approved installer, and you can call us today to discuss your options for installing EV charging points at your organisation with the workplace charging scheme.