EV Charging Stations: Avoiding Costly Mistakes

9/16/2024

Given the relative newness of EV charging stations around facilities and the other complexities involved in their installation and operation, managers and project teams need to be aware of misconceptions that can surround the process of EVs. 

"A common misconception is that there is a lack of interest from the general public in EV charging stations," Evert says. "They also perceive installing EV charging stations at apartment complexes and commercial properties as difficult and expensive. Another concern is the high maintenance costs for existing electric vehicle supply equipment and a perceived lack of return on investment for installed charging stations." 

Cain says to ensure the long-term success of EV installation projects, managers need to avoid the mistake of failing to ensure internal support for the projects. 

"Are the stakeholders getting their buy-in early, agreeing on a high-level budget solution?” she asks. “What's the appetite for investment? What does it need to be? What is the company willing to do?” 

Managers and project teams also must be aware of the variable nature of incentives for installing EV charging stations. 

"The unpredictability around incentives and subsidies makes planning these projects extremely difficult,” Colombini says. “When we're talking about this preliminary planning stage, you might not be actually installing chargers for years. In New York and elsewhere, incentives and subsidies will reset every year, if not more often than every year.” 

As a result, managers need to plan carefully with one eye on the future. 

“I may think in 2024 that I have access to $100,000 toward EVs,” he says. “Two years down the road, I'm ready to do the work because I was redoing my parking lot anyway. But now all that money's gone because other developers have already exhausted the funding that was set aside by your state or your utility company. If you can't predict what incentives are going to be available, it's difficult to plan these things.” 

Related Content: The Case for Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Challenges also can arise related to the actual components of the project. 

"It takes longer than most people anticipate from the initial planning stage through the start-up and the availability of chargers,” Cain says. “Lead times on electrical equipment, particularly transformers, can take anywhere from six months to over two years, depending on the area of the country that you're in.” 

Component challenges also can involve the software facilities need to monitor and operate the charging system. 

“There are many hardware and software options on the market,” she says. “It's a lot to sort through and understand. Working with a consultant to help under to understand the pros and cons of the various options is often beneficial. Think about how to future-proof by rightsizing equipment now, or route additional underground conduits for future needs.” 

Unlike many renovation and installation projects that facilities managers oversee, those involving EV charging stations present challenges that are unfamiliar and evolving. For that reason, Colombini says managers need to be patient. 

“The most important thing that I want to drive home is that we haven't grown into this EV world yet, so whatever it looks like now is not what it's going to look like in five years, never mind 10 years,” he says. “Even though I am an advocate for EVs and for public charging, on a practical level, I wouldn't recommend rushing into investing dollars into this unless there's a very clear benefit to your facility and the occupants.” 

Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.