Need Electric-Car Charging At Work? Here’s How To Get It Page 2

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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Polar Network Charging Stations

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• Research Incentives

Depending on where you live, the firm you work for may even be able to claim local, state or federal incentives to help pay for part or all of a charging station. 

Firms which install charging stations for employee or public use may also be eligible to claim additional points for LEED certification, giving them extra, approved green credentials.

Be sure to also research the financial incentives that a charging station can bring.

If the company parking lot is public, or has a public area, charging stations from firms like ChargePoint have included functionality to let your firm charge for electricity, presenting an additional revenue stream to the company. 

Be aware however, that the financial gains from charging customers for electricity may not be as worthwhile as the kudos and reputation that comes from offering free charging. 

• Present a Fully-Finished Proposal

Once you’ve done your research, take some time to create a full presentation, firstly to an ally within the company, and then to whoever is responsible for making the final decision. 

Be sure to include approximate costs, benefits and basic information about electric car technology. 

car2go Smart ForTwo Electric Drive charging at San Diego Automotive Museum

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If you can, offer several potential charging station manufacturers, allowing management a variety of different options at different costs.

Make sure that you reiterate that a charging station won’t just cost the company money, but will improve its green credentials, improve its reputation, and provide a valuable service to employees and customers. 

That final point is particularly relevant when it comes to the positive press arising from installing a charging station. 

“I approached one of the owners of my firm explaining there would be good PR for a shellfish company to be one of the first to install a public charging station,” says Steve Marsh, who drives his 2011 Nissan Leaf 130 miles a day for his daily commute. “They agreed.”

Finally, ensure that your proposal is made in person to someone you believe will support your quest. Sending it anonymously to human resources, building management or someone in a department you don’t know will likely result in a negative outcome. 

Be aware that getting a charging station installed at your place of work may mean working your way through the company hierarchy, skipping a few levels of difficult management, or waiting several months for the corporate machine to churn. 

In the end however, if you prepare before you ask, and make cogent, appealing arguments, you’re more likely of a positive outcome. 

Good luck!

Have you had success or failure installing a charging station at your place of work? Let us know your stories in the Comments below.

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