Finding The Best Charging Option For Your Community

Choosing the Right Charger

This guide is designed to walk you through the process of installing electric vehicle charging for public sites, fleets, and workplaces. If you are interested in installing charging in your home, contact your utility.

Choosing to install electric vehicle (EV) charging demonstrates leadership and a commitment to reducing the largest sector of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. This tool is designed with communities in mind, but anyone who wants to install EV charging will learn from the information provided.

This guide will walk you through the major steps and help inform your decision-making process.

Public Charging

Public charging

Download the public charging flowchart →

City Employees and Workplaces

City Employees and Workplaces

Download the workplace charging flowchart →

Fleet Charging

Fleet Charging

Download the fleet charging flowchart→

Finding The Best Charging Option For Your Community

Purchasing a Charger

Purchasing an electric vehicle charging station can be intimidating, given the wide variety of options. Download our guide for information needed to take steps toward purchasing a station, including common station features to consider, where to buy, and funding opportunities.

View Guide to Purchasing an EV Charging Station →

 

Site Selection Guidelines

Now that you’ve determined what kind of charging station you’re going to get, you need to figure out where you’re going to put it. Use the Site Selection Guidelines below to help you determine the best location in your community to install the station.

Once you have a better idea of where to install a charging station in your community, refer to our checklists below for final steps.

View EV Site Selection Checklist →

Fleet Charging

Looking to install a charging station for your fleet? Use our Fleet Charging Checklist below for steps that should be completed once you’ve decided on a location. Click here to download a printable version of the Fleet Charging Checklist.

  • Contact an electrician

      • Any electrician can install charging stations.
      • Enphase has a searchable list of electricians they recommend (not limited to Enphase products).

  • Make sure permitting is in order

      • Generally, electric vehicle charging stations only require an electric permit. In some cases, they may also require a building permit, particularly when structures need to be erected as part of the charging station project (i.e. a carport that provides multiple charging stations).
      • Work with your contractor to see if your city/county requires anything specific.

  • Find ideal on-site location for charging station(s)

      • The most important factor in reducing installation costs is placing stations as close as possible to the electrical panel from which the stations will be powered.
      • Place stations where employees can easily park the fleet vehicles for the night.
      • Install stations in well-lit or visible areas to help protect them from vandalism and save money when installing other features.

  • Build wayfinding into fleet vehicle policy

      • Make sure employees know where they can find the charging station.
      • Paint the parking space a different color or apply a symbol that signals to other drivers that these spaces serve a purpose beyond regular parking.

  • Install proper lighting

      • Proper lighting ensures that employees can see the plug and feel safe in the dark while using the station.
      • Good lighting helps to prevent vandalism.

  • Build protection (bollard/wheel stops)

      • Accidents happen! A small bollard or concrete wheel stop will prevent a small accident from incurring major repair costs to your charging station.

  • Secure warranty documentation

      • Every major equipment manufacturer includes a warranty with their product.
      • Be sure to read the fine print of your warranty; this will save you time and money down the road when potential maintenance of the station is required.

  • Establish policy for equipment usage and maintenance

      • Make sure employees know to plug in the fleet vehicles overnight (or at an ideal time requested by the fleet manager).
      • Train employees on how to use the new EV. Keep information in the glove box regarding range and how to properly connect the EV after an employee is done using it.
      • Have a plan in place for maintaining the stations. A good practice is to include a contact name and phone number directly on the station so employees know who to call if a station is not working. Additionally, establish a procedure to request repairs for the unit should they need to be made.

  • Test network

      • If using a networked station, make sure it is gathering data properly by using the online tools the manufacturer provides. Contact the manufacturer if you experience any difficulties.