Employers may help boost the comfort and affordability of driving electric vehicles for their employees by implementing proper workplace charging. Workplace charging can show that you’re ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting cutting-edge technology. EVs require a specific EV charger, which means for electric vehicles to be popular there should be enough charging power stations available.
The Clean Cities Workplace Charging Toolkit provides materials for employers and employees on how to plan, organize, and execute effective and instructional workplace charging events.
The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Workplace Charging Challenge partnered with companies that pledged to install plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging stations for their employees from 2013 to 2017. There are a lot of templates, best practices, and tools out there.
Workplace Charging Planning
Workplace Charging Evaluation and Planning
A poll of employee interest is typically used to determine if a workplace charging program is right for a company. The materials below can assist employers in understanding how workplace charging can complement their sustainability strategy:
Electricity Sources and Emissions: Examine how the grid mix affects PEV-commuting employees’ emission reduction advantages.
Benefits of Workplace Charging in Reducing Emissions –Learn how charging at the workplace stacks up against other sustainable options in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from employees’ journeys, often known as Scope 3 emissions.
Credit for Charging Stations in Green Building Certification – Examine how workplace charging might aid green building certification processes such as LEED, ENERGY STAR® for Buildings and Plants, Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, Green Globes, and Rating Systems (STARS).
Employers should consult their electrical supervisors and other stakeholders early in the process to identify and mitigate upcoming hazards. For example, when deciding whether to offer to charge at workplaces in leased premises, specific care is required.
Installing Charging Stations in the Workplace
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Charging equipment transfers electrical energy to a PEV from a power source such as the grid or solar panels. Level 1, Level 2, and direct-current (DC) fast charging all have their own set of advantages and drawbacks when it comes to workplace charging:
Level 2 stations are more expensive than Level 1 stations. Level 1 stations charge vehicles at a slower rate and can often only be used by one vehicle each day.
Level 2 stations are way more practical to be installed at your workplace as they can charge numerous vehicles per day..
DC quick charging could be used as part of a strategy to alleviate charging congestion or allow employees to charge in less time. However, the most expensive to set up are DC rapid charging stations.
Equipment, installation, maintenance, and electricity expenses must all be factored in for employers looking to purchase charging infrastructure and offer workplace charging.
The cost of purchasing, installing, and owning non-residential electric vehicle supply equipment is detailed in the Costs Associated with Non-Residential Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. Incentives from the federal government, states, and utilities can help reduce workplace charging costs. Employers can choose the optimal workplace solution by examining their goals and needs.
Managing Charging in the Workplace
Setting clear liability sharing, administration, and registration pricing criteria can help organizations offering workplace charging for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) achieve a safe and successful workplace charging experience. Consider key Level 1 safety and management standards for firms that offer charging at Level 1 charging receptacles or wall outlets.
Administration
The first step toward successful workplace charging administration is to appoint a person or group to be in charge of the charging stations’ continuing operation and maintenance, as well as any associated expenditures.
In larger firms, a sustainability or facilities manager is normally in charge of workplace charging operations; however, in smaller organizations where these jobs may not exist, it is unclear who is responsible. Employers will be able to resolve difficulties quickly and efficiently if all necessary departments and personnel are aware of who is accountable for the program’s administration and enforcement.
Charging Station Access
Some companies may limit charging stations used to staff only, while others may let visitors use the stations during certain hours of the day.
Management should determine who is in charge of implementing workplace charging policy. Parking garage attendants, security staff, or employee self-monitoring are some of the options. When thinking about enforcement and security solutions, companies should consider how to avoid vandalism and theft of charging stations outside typical business hours, when the designated enforcement personnel may not be accessible.
Registration
Many employees are obliged to register their personal electric vehicle (PEV) with their workplace via an internal registration or ticketing system. This registration enables the employer to properly count the number and types of vehicles utilizing the charging stations on the Jobsite.
Car owners may be required to sign a registration form agreeing not to hold the employer liable for any damage to their vehicle when it will be parked at your charging station. The employer might also consider setting up an account for the charging network and get access cards or key fobs for employees, according to the charging station or charging service provider.
Waiver
Some workplaces need PEV-driving employees to sign a conventional liability waiver or a user agreement. These documents state that the employee will be held responsible for any dangers related to using the workplace charging stations, among other things.
Some firms may ask all employees who use their parking lots to sign a liability waiver. Rather than designing a separate form, it is simple to add wording specific to charging. Employers are strongly advised to get legal advice regarding any potential liabilities associated with workplace charging stations.
Final Thoughts
Provide a good communication channel for PEV drivers, such as a dedicated intranet forum or email listserv. Employees can use these communication channels to let each other know whether they need to charge or if they have finished charging and a charging location is available.
Employees in a self-managed charging system charge their cars first-come, first-served, and frequently agree to the rule that only PEVs that are currently charging can park at a station’s parking place. Even in a self-managed workplace charging program, it is critical that participants have a designated management point of contact with whom to cooperate whenever equipment malfunctions.
