Charging electric cars at work
What companies should consider when it comes to operation and billing
The German government has set the target of having ten million electric cars on Germany’s roads by 2030. It is also clear that more and more people have the desire to switch to climate-friendly electric vehicles. And this is where companies come in. In addition to home charging stations, the ability to charge at work plays a particularly important role in ensuring the effectiveness of e-mobility. The reason is simple: People typically park their cars at work for eight hours or more. At the same time, companies that provide charging stations are rewarded with increased attractiveness as employers. A win-win situation.
But what do companies need to consider when setting up their charging infrastructure? What billing options are available? And what other reasons are there to provide charging facilities at the company site? This article will answer all these questions.
Providing the necessary infrastructure
The first step in allowing employees to charge their cars at work is to provide the necessary charging options. This requires comprehensive planning and the consideration of a number of different factors. The following questions should be asked in advance:
- Does the site have adequate power reserves?
- Which charging stations are sustainable and meet my requirements?
- Who should be billed and how?
It is also worthwhile for companies to consider integrating renewable energy, e.g. a photovoltaic system, and employing a load management system to make the operation of their charging infrastructure more sustainable.
For companies that do not have the necessary internal and financial resources at their disposal, a sensible approach is to outsource the planning, operation, and billing of the charging infrastructure and, if necessary, apply for funding. No matter what approach a company chooses: With a well-planned, efficient, and reliable charging infrastructure, you can do your part to promote electromobility and make an important contribution to climate protection.
How are wallboxes billed and what does it cost to charge at work?
Companies have various options for billing employees for charging their cars at the company site. Transparent rates and clear information about the method selected for billing are highly important. User-friendliness is also crucial. A simple authentication process – whether using RFID cards or mobile apps – enables the smooth, uncomplicated use of the charging infrastructure. Moreover, a reliable billing solution is essential for the efficient operation of the charging stations and to guarantee transparent cost management. The following billing methods are available:
1. Free charging of electric vehicles
Companies can offer their employees free electric car charging. However, employers should bear in mind that rising energy prices make it impossible to guarantee that power can be continuously supplied free of charge. It is therefore important to keep an eye on the balance of costs for the purchase and sale of electricity.
2. Billing by SEPA direct debit
For recurring users, billing by SEPA direct debit is a sensible option. In this case, the operator of the charging infrastructure provides a charging card and concludes a SEPA direct debit mandate with the individual employees. This prevents companies from incurring any additional costs. All charging processes within one month are totaled, billed, and collected. The advantage here is that companies are free to choose the rate, allowing them to offer power to employees at a particularly low price.
3. Billing by credit card
To pay with a credit card, employees use their smartphone to scan a QR code at the charging point. The charging process starts once they enter their credit card information in the phone. Billing is handled exclusively by the employee’s credit card provider. This means that the credit card provider also makes a profit with each charging process. For increased accessibility, it is also possible to combine this option with a SEPA direct debit mandate. This makes it easy for users without a charging card to complete a charging process. With this billing method, the company sets the price.
4. Enable charging with an eRoaming charging card
Another option to enable employees to charge their cars at work is to enable charging with an eRoaming charging card. Providers include ENBW, ADAC, eON, and public utility companies. The charging rate is set for users by the eRoaming card provider. What is worth knowing with this method of billing is that the charging point is disclosed both in the eRoaming network and in all apps, and that the eRoaming provider makes a profit with each charging process.
Each of the above billing methods for charging stations at work has its pros and cons. Companies should therefore weigh up the options carefully beforehand in order to find the best solution to suit their needs.
Charging at work: The advantages at a glance
There are many ways for companies to provide and bill a charging infrastructure for employees. But all of these options have one thing in common: A company-owned charging infrastructure offers many added values to employees and employers alike. These include:
- Added employer attractiveness and employee loyalty
- Companies strengthen their sustainability image
- Employees can charge their electric car during working hours
- Guests and business partners can arrive by electric vehicle and charge their vehicles during their stay
- There are no taxes for charging an electric vehicle
- The cost of electricity is cheaper than gasoline or diesel fuel
- Both companies and employees make a contribution to climate protection
Charging electric cars at work – good for employees and companies
The provision and billing of a charging infrastructure for electric vehicles are key issues that affect both companies and electric vehicle owners. Employers who decide to offer their employees charging facilities bring benefits for both sides. Find out for yourself with a practical example.
