Electrical car (EV) gross sales proceed to skyrocket, with over 2.3 million EVs bought across the globe within the first quarter of 2023 – a 25% enhance over the identical interval final yr. America authorities is making the swap from inside combustion engine (ICE) automobiles to EVs even simpler for drivers, with complete tax incentives for private electrical automobiles and even tax breaks for used and industrial EVs. Thankfully for any dealership that has not but begun electrification, the method is straightforward with Blink Charging. We’ve helped a whole lot of auto dealerships set up electrical car provide gear (EVSE) with our step-by-step electrification course of. Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to find out about including EV charging to your dealership.
Blink’s Buyer Centric Three-Part Strategy for Electrifying Automotive Dealerships
Blink has fine-tuned the method to make automotive supplier electrification as quick and environment friendly as doable whereas nonetheless sustaining the very best stage of security. Let’s check out Blink Charging’s three-phase course of for electrifying your dealership operations.
Part 1: Technique, Electrical Evaluation, & On-Website Planning
The primary section of your EV charging challenge is all about data gathering and placing a plan in place for the work that must be completed. Your Blink gross sales supervisor and website common supervisor will start with a dialogue about your OEM necessities and objectives. For instance, some dealerships need to present charging for most of the people the place drivers pay charges for utilization, whereas others simply present charging to their very own prospects at no extra price. Many OEMs additionally require chargers on your fleet, your personal stock, and automobiles that you’re servicing for purchasers.
Blink then conducts a website evaluation of your dealership so we are able to offer you essentially the most correct quote doable. After getting agreed to the quote, we are able to get began. Our workforce will share with you the very best practices for electrifying a dealership (i.e. the place you’ll most definitely want chargers and the kind they need to be).
Collectively, we’ll draw up a preliminary plan with you that fits your electrification wants. This may embody planning the variety of chargers wanted, the place these chargers must be positioned to scale back prices, native load administration to attenuate set up prices, and essentially the most handy mounting choices on your chargers. This primary section comprises essential steps together with:
Correct website analysis
Preliminary planning
Allowing necessities
Dedication of extra utility upgrades
Present Load Utilization
With the intention to plan for the long run, we begin by how a lot electrical energy your dealership at present makes use of. This offers us a baseline to work with after we decide how a lot further electrical energy you’ll require on your EVSE.
Capability
Blink will decide {the electrical} capability you’ll require to cowl your present and future electrical wants after your EVSE is put in. Whereas your dealership could solely require a couple of chargers in your preliminary set up, your electrical wants could be anticipated to extend as your car fleet transitions from gasoline automobiles to electrical automobiles. It’s extra economical to arrange parking spots with make-ready infrastructure now (like putting in wiring and conduits) somewhat than ready to do it later.
For instance, it’s possible you’ll solely need to have EVSE put in at 5 of your public parking spots to accommodate present demand, however put together an additional 5 spots for future demand. As soon as your electrical infrastructure is put in, your property is able to add your subsequent 5 chargers with minimal development or labor required.
This analysis stage can also be the time to pick out a charging stage. As NEC Article 625 notes, department circuits for EV chargers have to be rated for 125% of the utmost load of the charger. That implies that for an 80amp Degree 2 charger just like the Collection 8, your electrical enter have to be 100amp or extra.
Energy Availability
As soon as we all know your typical electrical energy utilization and the way a lot energy you will have to accommodate your EVSE, we take a look at how a lot electrical energy your dealership has accessible and whether or not your location would require any electrical energy upgrades.
For instance, some websites putting in DC quick chargers require a brand new transformer to offer their energy availability a lift to run their chargers. Relying on the extent of infrastructure upgrades, your location could require extra permits.
Part 2: Engineering & Design
After finishing your preliminary analysis and planning, it’s time to get technical with an in depth plan. Along with contemplating the quantity and site of your chargers, most companies should additionally think about ADA accessibility and climate and hazard safety on your chargers. For instance, it’s possible you’ll want to put in bollards to forestall unintentional collisions along with your public chargers, or cable administration to maintain cables off walkways.
This section contains:
Develop an engineering plan
File for mandatory permits
Undertaking administration
Coordination with the native utility
Part 3: Building, Set up, and Commissioning
Now that the method has been meticulously deliberate, all of the groups have been organized, and all of the work has been mapped out, it’s time to execute the plan and set up your new Blink EV charging stations.
Blink helps your contractors and engineers decide all of the assets that shall be required, similar to wiring and conduits. In case your set up requires any extra assets, like concrete or chain hyperlink fencing round new electrical energy infrastructure, our challenge workforce will help coordinate your preparations. We work hand-in-hand with all contractors concerned in your electrification course of.
Building and Set up Assist
Blink collaborates along with your electrical and civil engineers to make your entire course of as simple as doable on your dealership. We’ve a community of certified electricians throughout the nation who’re licensed to put in EV charging gear, or you should use your most popular licensed electrician.
Charger Logistics and Arrival Coordination
We guarantee your chargers arrive at your location in a well timed method, able to be put in. We maintain each facet of the supply.
Electrical/Commissioning Crew
Whether or not you’re employed with one in every of Blink’s most popular electricians, otherwise you select one in every of your personal, we’ll help your workforce throughout the set up.
After set up, we’ll stroll you or your contractor by means of the commissioning course of and make sure the chargers can connect with the Blink Community. This permits drivers utilizing the Blink Cellular App and different widespread EV charger locators to see your dealership’s public charging stations.
Blink Helps Electrification
Automotive dealerships are main the transition from ICE automobiles to EVs. Blink Charging is proud to help greater than 4,000 dealerships make the swap. Is your dealership is able to help electrical automobiles? Contact Blink Charging immediately to get began with a website evaluation.