As of February 2024, there were more than a million fully electric cars on the UK’s roads. Last year alone, some 315,000 were registered, an increase of nearly a fifth (18%) on the number for 2022.
And with new petrol and diesel motors banned from sale in the UK from 2035, there’s no sign of battery-model uptake relenting. Yet, last autumn, consumer group Which? published research showing that three-quarters of the UK’s EV owners were unhappy with the country’s public charging arrangements. Problems encountered ranged from non-working facilities to issues making payments.
Equally, as Which? told journalists, many drivers struggle to locate dependable charging points that work properly. Others don’t have working facilities near home where they can power up ahead of a long journey.
The benefits of EV charging carports in workplaces
If you make the most of the opportunities available for EV charging now, you can look forward to reaping a number of rewards, including:
1.) Positive Brand Image
You will be positioning yourself as a forward-thinking, pioneering business with a strong sense of environmental and social responsibility, one that is properly prepared for the future.
2.) A Great First Impression for Visitors
Anyone visiting your site who has decided to make the switch to an electric vehicle, including customers, prospective investors and others, will be delighted if they can charge up at your premises.
3.) Better Staff Retention
Clearly, in the current climate everyone wants to save money. Staff who can benefit from no-cost or subsidised car charging will be more productive, morale will be boosted and people will feel more motivated when coming into work. So you can expect loyalty and for employees to stay with you for longer. Plus EV charging is a great addition to your employee benefits package.
Not only that, but it will be add significant appeal when it comes to attracting new staff to work for you.
4.) Greater Convenience
Apart from anything else, on-site charging is highly convenient, especially for employees who don’t have access to home-based charging solutions and otherwise depend on the public network. Workplace facilities decrease what’s known as ‘range anxiety’ (i.e. the worry of not knowing how long a car will go before needing charging again).
5.) Reduce Employee Carbon Footprint
With the installation of electric-car charging, you reduce your employees’ carbon footprints while providing tangible evidence of your company’s green initiatives.
6.) Financial Incentives
If your business has an electric fleet, you won’t pay road tax on these vehicles, and, as mentioned, you’ll lower your carbon emissions. Equally, you won’t have to use potentially costly public charging systems. Additionally, you can make money by billing visitors to power up their vehicles at your premises, and perhaps also staff members, possibly at a subsidised rate. You could also get on a relevant app and make money as a public facility for EV drivers who are passing and need to charge up. (This further raises awareness of your brand.)
7.) Grant Applications
The government’s Workplace Charging Scheme gives eligible organisations grants worth up to £350 per socket for up to 40 sockets. Meanwhile, it’s also worth the EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets, under which up to a further £15,000 could be available to you.
Power Your EV Charging Installation with Solspan Solar Carports
Our high-quality Solspan® solar carports offer a great way to complement and power your EV charge point installation. Designed with your needs in mind, they encompass different roof types, lighting and charging infrastructure, and can also be single or double-sided. At the same time, there are options we can help you with installing EV charging, battery storage or grid connection.
Take a step closer to meeting your Net Zero targets and clean energy generation.
Browse our website today, or get in touch to learn more. We’ll supply a comprehensive quote and report into the associated financial benefits and how much our solar carports could save your business.
