Electric Vehicles (EVs) are increasing in popularity as people are moving towards an emission-free future. Plenty of new EV models are entering the market given the rise in an environmentally-conscious population. The EV charging infrastructure plays an important role in aiding EV adoption. Adequate infrastructure gives drivers the confidence to travel without getting stranded anywhere. Businesses and public spaces need to be well-equipped with electric vehicle charging points to accommodate the upsurge in EV adoption.
People fear having to deal with insufficient power when traveling long distances. Installing EV chargers at workplaces, restaurants, hotels, and commercial complexes will motivate people to adopt EV vehicles in large numbers. If you are thinking of installing a commercial EV charger, there are a few factors to look out for before making the purchase.
Your EV charger must be able to fulfill customer expectations and provide a seamless charging experience. Listed below are the six features to prioritize when choosing an EV charger for your commercial projects:
Consumers don’t like to wait for long hours to recharge their vehicles unless the charging is available at their residential and/or office premises. Charging speed is one of the critical elements to consider when choosing EV charging solutions. There are different types of chargers such as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 chargers. Level 1 chargers are very slow and typically take one whole day to recharge vehicles. Level 3 or DC chargers are the fastest chargers with 48OV systems that support high-mileage drivers. Level 2 chargers are most commonly used in commercial projects such as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other commercial premises. These chargers can charge vehicles in a couple of hours. Depending on the size and scale of your business, you need to choose a charger that efficiently accommodates customer needs.
EV chargers come in 2 configurations - AC and DC. The AC chargers are known as slow chargers and the range is 3.3 kW - 22 kW. The charging speed is slower for ac charger for ev as the electricity has to go to the onboard converter in the car (which converts AC current to DC current) and then supply to the battery. In this case, the onboard charger of the car is the limiting factor. For example, the TATA Nexon onboard converter is only 3.2kW meaning that the max speed that it can charge with any charger is 3.2 units per hour. Even if that charger is 7.4kw or 22kw, the charge speed will remain at 3.2 units per hour. The battery size is 30.2 kWh, hence it will take 10 hours to fully charge the car with any capacity AC charger. For comparison an MG car has an onboard charger of 11kw capacity so the maximum charging rate with an AC charger will be 11 units per hour. DC chargers however have no charging limit as the current flows directly to the battery. EVFLO has DC chargers for EV ranging from 24 kW - 180 kW. A 180 kW charger can fully charge a TATA nexon in 10 - 15 min.
Safety is another critical aspect to consider when installing EV commercial chargers. Level 2 chargers use a higher voltage than level 1 chargers. People need to adhere to safety guidelines when installing level 2 chargers. It is necessary to install EV chargers equipped with effective safety systems to ensure the safety of people around when the vehicle is being charged. Any sparks or faults could disrupt charging and threaten safety. It is recommended to have charging stations that have a Ground Fault Interrupt feature, automatic plug-out detection, and power termination.
Weather durability is important as chargers installed in open areas are exposed to different weather conditions. You need chargers that can withstand sun, rain, and wind. Before installing chargers on your premises, ensure they are all-weather durable.
Installing an EV charger that is compatible with mobile app solutions is the best way to ensure a seamless charging experience. EV drivers can find the nearest electric car charging station, make payments, reserve time slots, and track their charging history with mobile apps.
Open protocol charging networks ensure communication between charging stations, network owners, and the power grid. If you own a commercial property, make sure to install a charging station that supports open protocol charging networks so you can control access, charge drivers, track energy usage, and enable smart charging.
You need to install EV charging solutions that support bikes, scooters, cars, rickshaws, and buses so a large number of people owning different vehicles will benefit. Electric vehicles are the future of the automotive industry. Installing EV chargers in commercial spaces will make you future-ready and put you ahead of the competition. The features discussed in this article will help you zero in on the right commercial EV charger.
EVFLO Mobility is one of India’s fastest-growing EV charging station contractors, suppliers, and installers with a wide spectrum of EV chargers to meet any and every requirement across India. Get in touch with us today for customized EV charging solutions to meet your specific requirement.
