Workplace Charging

Installing EV chargers helps businesses support employees, attract customers, future-proof their premises and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

As electric vehicle ownership continues to grow across the UK, workplace charging is becoming an increasingly valuable business asset rather than simply an employee benefit. Providing charging facilities can encourage EV adoption among staff, improve customer experience, support fleet electrification and contribute towards environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives.

Modern commercial chargers can be managed remotely, allowing businesses to control access, monitor usage and set different charging tariffs for employees, visitors or fleet vehicles.

Whether you’re installing one charger or building a larger charging network, workplace charging is an investment in future-ready infrastructure.

Is EV Charging the new Employee Benefit?

Yes. Most commercial EV charging systems allow businesses to charge employees for the electricity they use.

Modern EV charging platforms can assign different user groups, allowing organisations to create tailored charging policies for employees, company vehicles, visitors or contractors. Businesses can choose whether charging is free, partially subsidised or charged at a set tariff.

Many charging management systems also provide:

• RFID or app-based user authentication.
• Individual charging records.
• Automated billing and payment processing.
• Energy usage reporting.
• Flexible pricing for different user groups.

This gives businesses complete control over how workplace charging is managed while ensuring electricity costs can be recovered if required.

Yes. Workplace EV chargers can be configured to provide charging access for employees, visitors, customers, contractors or fleet vehicles.

Most commercial charging systems allow businesses to control exactly who can use each charger and when. Access can be managed using RFID cards, smartphone apps, QR codes or contactless payment, depending on the charging solution.

Businesses may choose to:

• Offer free charging for visitors.
• Charge customers using contactless payment.
• Restrict access during working hours.
• Reserve chargers for company vehicles.
• Apply different tariffs to different user groups.

This flexibility makes commercial EV charging suitable for offices, hotels, retail parks, leisure destinations, healthcare facilities and many other workplaces.

Several government grant schemes are available to help eligible organisations reduce the cost of installing EV charging infrastructure.

The most suitable grant will depend on factors such as your organisation type, location and intended use of the chargers.

As grant eligibility and funding levels are updated periodically, it’s important to check the latest government guidance before starting your project.

For the most up-to-date information, visit our dedicated EV Charging Grants page, where we explain current funding opportunities and eligibility criteria.

a href=”https://ratioev.uk/help-and-advice/ev-charging-grants/” target=”_blank” class=”medium red button”>EV Charging Grants

The number of EV chargers your business needs depends on the number of vehicles, available parking spaces, charging patterns and future growth plans.

There is no single answer for every workplace. A small office with a handful of electric vehicles will have very different requirements from a fleet depot, retail destination or commercial development.

When planning workplace charging, it’s important to consider:

• The number of employees and visitors.
• Current and future EV adoption.
• Average parking duration.
• Electrical capacity available on site.
• Whether chargers will be shared between users.
• Future expansion plans.

Many organisations begin with a small number of chargers and expand over time as demand increases. Choosing scalable charging infrastructure allows additional charge points to be added as your requirements evolve.

A professional site survey can help determine the most efficient charging solution for your business.

Yes. Commercial EV chargers can generate revenue by allowing businesses to charge users for the electricity they consume.

Many organisations choose to recover energy costs by applying charging tariffs for employees, visitors or members of the public. Depending on the location, EV charging can also create an additional income stream while encouraging customers to spend longer at the site.

Modern charging platforms provide flexible pricing, payment processing and detailed reporting, allowing businesses to monitor usage and manage charging income efficiently.

While revenue generation can be an advantage, many organisations also view EV charging as a valuable customer service, employee benefit and investment in future infrastructure.

Related Article:
Why EV Charging is Becoming a Revenue Generator for Leisure and Retail Destinations

For most workplaces and commercial destinations, AC charging is the most practical and cost-effective solution.

AC chargers are ideal where vehicles remain parked for several hours, such as offices, workplaces, hotels, leisure facilities, public car parks and residential developments. They typically have lower installation costs, require less electrical infrastructure and provide more than enough energy during a normal working day.

DC rapid charging is designed for locations where vehicles need to recharge quickly before continuing their journey, such as motorway services, transport hubs or dedicated public charging networks.

Many businesses find that AC charging offers the best balance of affordability, reliability and user convenience because vehicles can recharge while employees work or customers visit.

For the majority of businesses, 7kW, 11kW or 22kW AC charging provides the most efficient long-term solution.

Why AC Charging makes Business Sense