With the UK set to ban all sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles in the next 5 to 10 years, car parks are slowly adapting to the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. However, we’re already facing a major shortfall in charging points nationwide. There’s also concern about how the nation’s energy grid will be able to supply the power needed to charge the influx of new EVs. So, how can you, as a facility manager, optimise the use of your EV chargers?
The challenge of charging EVs at work
Charging EVs at work is a big challenge for facility managers. For years, the government has been offering companies a £350 subsidy to purchase and install an EV charging point. Still, thousands of UK businesses lack the policies, infrastructure and tools to support the all-electric commuter traffic of the future.
More EVs, but not enough charge points
Under the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, 80% of all new cars and 70% of new vans sold must be zero-emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035. For businesses, this means their vehicle fleets must transition to fully electric models, driving up the demand for workplace charging stations.
Businesses are struggling to keep pace by buying and installing enough new charging stations or implementing systems to ensure fair sharing. For many EV drivers, simply finding an available charge point is a daily annoyance.
Charging hogs
A common issue in office car parks is electric vehicles staying parked in the same spot even after they’re fully charged. Since the charging cable can only be disconnected using the owner’s charging card, the station often ends up being occupied far longer than necessary. This means charging points aren’t being used as efficiently – or fairly – as they could be.
Grid capacity limitations
The existing electricity grid may not support the simultaneous charging of an increased number of EVs at full capacity. Adding more charging stations without corresponding grid upgrades can lead to reduced charging speeds, as the available power is distributed among a greater number of stations. This situation can result in longer charging times and decreased efficiency.
Installing new office EV chargers isn’t always an option
Expanding the number of EV charging points might seem like a straightforward solution, but in reality, there are several key obstacles:
- High costs: Installing additional charge points can be expensive. The cost for a commercial EV charge point in the UK typically ranges from £1,000 to £1,500 plus VAT per unit, depending on the charger model and installation specifics.
- Lengthy installation processes: Setting up new charging infrastructure often involves slow procedures, especially in urban areas. The time required to install a standard AC charging station can vary significantly. For instance, in London, the installation process can be more time-consuming due to the complexity of coordinating with multiple stakeholders and navigating urban planning regulations.
Adding peace of mind with an EV charger reservation system
Do you want to make charging as simple and hassle-free as possible for your company’s EV drivers? The solution is to let them reserve a charge point in advance.
A reservation system lets your employees plan their day stress-free, knowing there’s a spot ready for them to charge up as soon as they arrive at work. You can even prioritise those with longer commutes, ensuring they have access to charging points when they need them most. This approach is straightforward to implement and can be automatically managed using a solution like Toogethr Smart Charging.
Data insights
By implementing a charge point management system, you also gain valuable data that can help you improve your company’s facility management. This includes insights into how your car park and chargers are being used, such as:
- How often charging points are reserved
- The duration of each charging session
- Instances of no-shows when someone reserves a spot but doesn’t turn up
This data enables you to identify usage patterns and inefficiencies, helping you make informed decisions to improve the management and efficiency of your parking and charging facilities.
How charge point reservations work
To make your reservation system a success, it’s important to choose a user-friendly solution that lets your employees easily reserve a charging point. Here’s how it Toogethr works:
Reserve a charging point through the app or web portal
Employees book a charging station at the same time as they reserve their parking spot. They can use either the Toogethr web portal or the mobile app.
Smart queueing
If all the charge points are booked, then the smart queueing feature places drivers on a virtual waiting list. As soon as one driver’s car is charged, the next in line gets a notification. This ensures optimal, fair use of your company’s charge points.
The future of parking and charging
Charge point reservation is the right choice for businesses looking to create a clearer and fairer parking policy. With the right solution, you can seamlessly integrate your reservation system into your company’s existing parking policy. At the same time, you’ll gain access to helpful data insights to help you optimise chargepoint usage even further.
Toogethr offers a dashboard that gives facility managers a detailed, real-time overview of what’s going on in the car park, including:
- How many spaces are occupied
- Average park duration
- Peak arrival and departure times
With insights like these, you’re better equipped to give your employees a better experience from the moment they drive onto the car park each morning.
Toogethr Smart Parking is an open platform that integrates with your existing Workplace Management System, so employees can easily reserve a parking spot – with or without a charge point – using the same familiar interface that they use to manage other routine workplace activities.
To learn how to make your car park smarter and better connected to your workplace, contact our parking expert Jade today.
