In March 2025, the UK hit a milestone of 75,000 public chargepoints, with the government committing over £2.3 billion to help drivers switch to electric vehicles (EVs).
As more EVs hit the road, eco-conscious customers and employees will need charging stations. As a business, installing commercial EV charging stations on your premises is a powerful way to show your commitment to sustainability and make the most of government grants.
Curious about where to begin? Here's our five-step guide on how to install a commercial EV charging station.
1. Assess Your Site
For drivers to use your charging stations, they'll need a place to park – and there are a few other pointers to keep in mind. Let's cover them one by one:
Location – Do you have parking bays that are accessible, visible and convenient for EV drivers?
Electrical Infrastructure – An electrical survey can make sure you have the capacity to charge EVs, or if any upgrades are needed.
Charging Speed – We'll cover this later, but initially, think about whether your vehicles will be parked for longer periods or if time is of the essence.
Planning Permissions – While most EV charging stations won't need planning permission, large-scale projects might need permits or compliance checks.
If you're considering setting up EV charging stations on your site, we can support you with planning and installation, along with adaptable configurations that grow with your business. Learn more about our commercial EV charging services here.
2. Budgeting and Grants
When budgeting for your charging stations, you'll also need to consider installation costs and any electrical upgrades for your site.
Sounds like a lot? Well, that's why grants can help. Let's go into them.
Grants for EV Charging Stations
Across the UK, 60,918 and 6,253 EV sockets have been funded by the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) and EV Chargepoint Grant (EVCG) combined. The UK government is keen to support EV charging to help us meet our Net Zero commitment.
Let's explain the grants you might be eligible for:
Workplace Charging Scheme – If you want to offer charging stations to employees, the government can fund up to 75% of your installation costs, up to £350 per socket and up to 40 sockets.
EV Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for Landlords – Every year, landlords can apply for grants of up to £30,000 per property, funding up to £350 per socket. You can get up to 200 grants for residential properties and 100 grants for commercial properties every year.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets – If you run an SME with 249 employees or fewer, you can apply for up to £15,000 in funding per site towards the costs of installing EV charging stations, infrastructure and parking spaces.
Read more about grants and financing in our guide. While grant applications can seem intimidating, it's worth keeping in mind that your EV charging station installers can help you with the grant process.
3. Choosing Your EV Charging Stations
Now you've assessed your site and navigated grants, you'll likely have an idea of the charging speed you're looking for. Here are the three types of EV charging station we install for our clients:
AC Charging Stations
For most businesses, AC charging stations will meet your needs. They're a standard option for steady charging where vehicles will be parked for a while, for example, at workplaces or shopping centres.
It can take AC stations several hours to reach a full charge, which is ideal if you don't have a rapid turnover of spaces and your drivers aren't in a hurry.
DC Rapid Charging Stations
Where speed matters though, DC rapid charging stations can offer the rapid charging you need. They're a good choice for high-traffic commercial areas, for example, at a service station or urban area where drivers don't have long to wait.
Custom EV Car Ports
Custom EV car ports take a more tailored approach, integrating charging into your existing infrastructure. These charging stations can be combined with solar panels to unlock long-term savings, shelter vehicles and show your commitment to sustainability.
While custom car ports are a more premium option, they can be ideal where design, convenience and aesthetic appeal are a priority.
4. Installing Your EV Charging Stations
This is the exciting part. Now your EV charging stations are ready to be set up, let's go into how it's done, so you know what to expect.
Clearing and preparing the installation area.
Upgrading your electrical infrastructure where needed.
Post-installation compliance checks to make sure your charging points meet safety regulations and electrical standards.
A final test to make sure your new EV charging stations work.
And you have your EV charging stations installed, making a big step towards sustainability, boosting your brand and maybe even increasing your business value too.
5. Maintaining Your Commercial EV Stations
Last of all, you've put the work into installing EV charging stations, so how do you get the most out of them?
Scheduling regular check-ups for your charging stations can help you increase the longevity of the equipment you've invested in. It'll help keep your systems running at peak performance and reduce the headache of charging points that don't work – and unhappy drivers!
When we maintain our clients' EV charging stations, the aim is to ensure they still meet optimal performance and adherence to regulations. The exact maintenance you'll need will depend on the charging stations you choose and the setup of your site.
That said, regular maintenance is something you can schedule with your installer, making this, sometimes-forgotten, step as effortless as possible.
How We Can Help
We hope you're now feeling a lot more confident, understanding how to install a commercial EV charging station for your business.
As you'll now know, the growing number of EVs will make charging stations a must for parking areas in the near future, plus they're a great opportunity to invest in renewable energy and get funding to help.
Learn more about how we can install EV charging stations for your commercial premises here, and contact us to get started.
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