In 2021, there were more than 16 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, says a report from the International Energy Agency. The IEA says there could be more than 250 million EVs on the road by 2030.
As EV adoption grows, generating clean energy for EV charging station solutions becomes crucial. Electric costs are on the rise, making it harder for commercial property managers, landlords, and developers to provide free EV charging solutions. Offering free EV charging has many benefits.
Free EV charging is a desirable amenity for tenants in office buildings, as it’s a powerful recruiting tool for workers. Owners and managers of retail space, multi-dwelling units, and mixed use space can also benefit from offering free charging to tenants and customers. But if this trend is to continue, it’s important to reduce the costs of EV charging.
For many, the solution is to seek clean energy for EV charging station solutions.
In the United States, charging electric vehicles using 100% renewable energy will also help the U.S. adhere to the terms of the Paris Climate Agreement and also achieve the nation’s goal of reducing carbon emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Why Is It Important for Businesses to Use Clean Energy for Fast Charging Stations?
Fast chargers in commercial spaces will make driving an electric vehicle (EV) more convenient. It could increase electric car use in cities and suburban areas.
But public fast charging stations are becoming cost prohibitive for commercial building owners. EV charging stations powered by conventional electricity generated by fossil fuel are subject to the same surcharges, peak demand rates, and market volatility as other commercial electricity expenditures. That can make providing free charging expensive.
EVs, by themselves, help reduce carbon emissions and improve overall air quality because they are clean running. But they can still contribute to carbon emissions if the electricity used to power them comes from conventional fossil fuel sources. For truly clean transportation, charging infrastructure must also be powered by clean, efficient energy.
On-site battery storage systems, solar energy, and additional means of renewable energy generation can help reduce costs and drive adoption of fast charging stations – which, in turn, can encourage greater electric car adoption.
On-site Solar Panels for EV Charging Stations
Solar energy through solar panels is often the first thought that comes to mind when people consider clean energy. There are two ways to charge EVs using clean, efficient solar energy. On-site solar energy systems can deliver power directly to EV charging stations to power up vehicles. The San Diego Zoo rolled out a pilot program a decade ago with five solar-to-electric vehicle charging stations in the zoo parking lot and charges a nominal fee for the use.
The solar is generated through 10 on-site solar canopies in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric. A battery storage system holds excess power, making it possible for guests to charge EVs with the power of the sun even in the evening or on one of the very rare overcast days the Southern California city may experience.
EV Charging Network Powered by Clean Solar Energy
Not every CRE developer wants to install solar panels on their property, however. That doesn’t mean they have to forego clean solar power to charge EVs. Instead, EV charging station owners can partner with their local electricity provider to purchase clean solar energy. Often, you can buy solar at discounted rates from electricity derived from fossil fuels.
EVgo, a national fast charging network company, contracted in 2019 to supply 100% renewable energy to charge EVs for drivers in its network. It was the first fast charging EV network to do so. The company purchases energy from Green-e certified wind and solar providers and renewable energy certificate (REC) partners. Users pay a fee based on minutes charged or can subscribe to a plan that bills a flat, fixed rate each month for access to the EVgo network of EV charging stations.
Wind Power: Clean Energy for EV Charging Station Solutions
Like solar, wind power can be obtained on-site, although placing windmills nearby may not be as practical as installing solar panels. It most cases, it is better to power your EV charging network with wind obtained through programs managed by your local electric company.
The Plug-in EVerywhere Network, developed in partnership with Austin Energy, derives all the power for its 800 EV charging stations from wind power.
Managed Charging Programs Can Help Reduce Energy Costs
Battery storage systems can eliminate the need to align EV charging times with times when renewable energy is at its most affordable or to avoid charging during peak energy use times. But managed charging programs can reduce the need for battery storage. Managed charging, which provides discounts for charging at specific times, encourages drivers to charge electric vehicles when solar or wind energy is at its most plentiful.
If you are installing EV charging stations on your retail or mixed use property, which sees the most traffic during the day, you may not need to implement managed charging based on use times. Owners and property managers in multi-dwelling units, senior residences, and other buildings with 24/7 activity, however, can reduce overall charging costs with a managed charging program.
Many property owners and managers offer free EV charging as an amenity to guests. If you follow a free EV charging station model, it is important to reduce costs as much as possible. That means connecting your fast chargers to a source of continuous, affordable, clean energy for EV charging stations.
Read our Complete Guide to EV Charging to learn more about how to implement EV charging station solutions on your commercial property.
Clean Energy for EV Charging Station Solutions
In 2021, there were more than 16 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, says a report from the International Energy Agency. The IEA says there could be more than 250 million EVs on the road by 2030.
As EV adoption grows, generating clean energy for EV charging station solutions becomes crucial. Electric costs are on the rise, making it harder for commercial property managers, landlords, and developers to provide free EV charging solutions. Offering free EV charging has many benefits.
Free EV charging is a desirable amenity for tenants in office buildings, as it’s a powerful recruiting tool for workers. Owners and managers of retail space, multi-dwelling units, and mixed use space can also benefit from offering free charging to tenants and customers. But if this trend is to continue, it’s important to reduce the costs of EV charging.
For many, the solution is to seek clean energy for EV charging station solutions.
In the United States, charging electric vehicles using 100% renewable energy will also help the U.S. adhere to the terms of the Paris Climate Agreement and also achieve the nation’s goal of reducing carbon emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Why Is It Important for Businesses to Use Clean Energy for Fast Charging Stations?
Fast chargers in commercial spaces will make driving an electric vehicle (EV) more convenient. It could increase electric car use in cities and suburban areas.
But public fast charging stations are becoming cost prohibitive for commercial building owners. EV charging stations powered by conventional electricity generated by fossil fuel are subject to the same surcharges, peak demand rates, and market volatility as other commercial electricity expenditures. That can make providing free charging expensive.
EVs, by themselves, help reduce carbon emissions and improve overall air quality because they are clean running. But they can still contribute to carbon emissions if the electricity used to power them comes from conventional fossil fuel sources. For truly clean transportation, charging infrastructure must also be powered by clean, efficient energy.
On-site battery storage systems, solar energy, and additional means of renewable energy generation can help reduce costs and drive adoption of fast charging stations – which, in turn, can encourage greater electric car adoption.
On-site Solar Panels for EV Charging Stations
Solar energy through solar panels is often the first thought that comes to mind when people consider clean energy. There are two ways to charge EVs using clean, efficient solar energy. On-site solar energy systems can deliver power directly to EV charging stations to power up vehicles. The San Diego Zoo rolled out a pilot program a decade ago with five solar-to-electric vehicle charging stations in the zoo parking lot and charges a nominal fee for the use.
The solar is generated through 10 on-site solar canopies in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric. A battery storage system holds excess power, making it possible for guests to charge EVs with the power of the sun even in the evening or on one of the very rare overcast days the Southern California city may experience.
EV Charging Network Powered by Clean Solar Energy
Not every CRE developer wants to install solar panels on their property, however. That doesn’t mean they have to forego clean solar power to charge EVs. Instead, EV charging station owners can partner with their local electricity provider to purchase clean solar energy. Often, you can buy solar at discounted rates from electricity derived from fossil fuels.
EVgo, a national fast charging network company, contracted in 2019 to supply 100% renewable energy to charge EVs for drivers in its network. It was the first fast charging EV network to do so. The company purchases energy from Green-e certified wind and solar providers and renewable energy certificate (REC) partners. Users pay a fee based on minutes charged or can subscribe to a plan that bills a flat, fixed rate each month for access to the EVgo network of EV charging stations.
Wind Power: Clean Energy for EV Charging Station Solutions
Like solar, wind power can be obtained on-site, although placing windmills nearby may not be as practical as installing solar panels. It most cases, it is better to power your EV charging network with wind obtained through programs managed by your local electric company.
The Plug-in EVerywhere Network, developed in partnership with Austin Energy, derives all the power for its 800 EV charging stations from wind power.
Managed Charging Programs Can Help Reduce Energy Costs
Battery storage systems can eliminate the need to align EV charging times with times when renewable energy is at its most affordable or to avoid charging during peak energy use times. But managed charging programs can reduce the need for battery storage. Managed charging, which provides discounts for charging at specific times, encourages drivers to charge electric vehicles when solar or wind energy is at its most plentiful.
If you are installing EV charging stations on your retail or mixed use property, which sees the most traffic during the day, you may not need to implement managed charging based on use times. Owners and property managers in multi-dwelling units, senior residences, and other buildings with 24/7 activity, however, can reduce overall charging costs with a managed charging program.
Many property owners and managers offer free EV charging as an amenity to guests. If you follow a free EV charging station model, it is important to reduce costs as much as possible. That means connecting your fast chargers to a source of continuous, affordable, clean energy for EV charging stations. In the United States, companies such as USCharger can help you determine suitable hardware and charging solutions.
Read our Complete Guide to EV Charging to learn more about how to implement EV charging station solutions on your commercial property. Check back here for our next post with our guide – to be released soon.