available guidelines (if any). Metro stores will sell more than rural stores in the more immediate future; however, even if selling EVs isn’t on your horizon, start crafting a plan for greater ease of execution when the time comes. • Planning Consideration #2 – How many vehicles do you plan on charging per day (or night)? Answering this question builds with every subsequent step. Dealers should also be asking themselves — does the number you determined include any local EV traffic (charge station stops)? There is an opportunity, from both a financial and sales perspective, in accommodating local EV traffic by becoming a charge stop. • Planning Consideration #3 – What is the electrical service voltage of your dealership? Determining the electrical service voltage will further narrow down available EV charging options. Hardware: Charging equipment is classified by the rate at which it charges vehicles. How much energy (kWh) does the battery hold? What type of batteries are in the EV? What is the power level and output of the charger? • Hardware choices include: Level I, Level II, Level III (DC Fast Chargers) • Level I:120V, AC, SLOW speed, charging 2-5 mph of charge; Cost per unit: $1500-$5000 fully installed • Level II: 240V or 208V, MEDIUM speed, 25-70 mph of charge; Cost per unit: $4000-$15,000 fully installed • Level III (DCFC): 208v or, typically 480V, FAST speed, 175-525 mph charge; Cost per unit: $25,000-$60,000 installed (potentially much higher) • We recommend you stay away from XFC’s (Extreme Fast Chargers.) These have twice the output of a standard DCFC, and many EVs cannot safely absorb their power output that quickly. Technology will continue to adapt as this industry matures. Again, one of the first considerations you’ll take heed of is: what is your OEM asking of you? Second to OEM requirements is: how fast do you need to charge vehicles and how many vehicles per day? Many of the steps outlined above come to bear on the hardware you select. EV charging technology will continue to improve and become more efficient; consequently, selecting a brand that allows for future upgrades will prevent some future expenditures. Many charging manufacturers allow for businesses to “brand” the equipment with their logo — just another factor to weigh in your final decision. Electric Metering: Installing multiple DCFC’s will often trigger the need for a new utility meter. This requires a robust design and permitting process and the selection of a suitable competitive supplier before power starts to flow; otherwise, the meter will resort to POLR (provider of last resort – this is generally expensive.) The electrical circuit required for Level I and II chargers allows for installation on-site, using existing service equipment (with typically no electric upgrade necessary). In most cases this existing electrical equipment allows the capacity to charge eight to 10 vehicles without costly electrical upgrades. Installation: Installation will be a balance between the location of the chargers and the location of the electrical panel. A few considerations are: What is the location of the electrical service panel compared to where you want to install the charging stations? The closer to the panel, the lower the installation costs. Software: Take into account the type of software that your dealership’s charger of choice utilizes. Some chargers provide ease of use with programmable demand EV CHARGER — CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 As EVs make their way to your lots, so too will EV chargers so that you can keep your fleets charged and ready to roll off the lot. Options are varied of course, with differing levels and vendors available. You’ll want to consider the most effective way to keep your fleet charged while also accommodating your customer’s growing need for charging stations. 22
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