So, you own or manage commercial buildings….and you are responsible for recommending the installation of EV Charging Stations for one or all your buildings over the next three years. Where do you start? There are four basic ways to approach capital planning for EV:

Proposed Capital Planning Solutions and pricing estimates* (Three plus 1)

Based on our experience in the construction, renovation, energy, utility, and sustainability markets, we would like to recommend four capital planning options based on 1-6 buildings with less than 1,000,000 total SF under management:

1. Baseline Planning: Who will use them? Your fleet operators, your tenants, your vendors and delivery personnel, your employees working at the buildings, your executives and board members? Are any of them handicapped? Review parking assignments and delivery areas. Most users will want to charge up for an hour or two and then leave the location. Or they want to charge the fleet overnight while the trucks/vans/vehicles are returned. It is best to cluster multiple stations close together rather than 1 at each building. Usually four – six spaces in a row is ideal. If one of the spaces is also a handicapped space, that is ideal.

2. Cost of Use Planning: You can structure each charging station with multiple user types paying different amounts (be sure the manufacturer you choose allows for that). That way fleet operators will pay a different amount than an executive in the corporation or someone from the general public who happens to find the station and decide to use it. The current retail charge rate is about $1.75 per hour. The cost of electricity is about $.75/hour.

3. Major Purchases that are partially driven by how long they will last (roof, hvac systems, electrical distribution and power quality equipment can last for 25-50 years). These stations will be warranted and serviced for up to 20 years. The cost to install the conduit, electricity back to the service panel are one time costs. There are installation costs that have to be considered. Make sure to work with an electrical contractor with EV install experience. Make sure your upfront budgeting takes into account ongoing maintenance for life extension. Ongoing service is approximately $250/plug per year.

4. Energy Efficiency/Sustainability Planning: Any improvements that will improve sustainability need to include energy impact reports in the capital plan model. Some plug manufacturers will supply excellent engineering data on utilization that will help you report on carbon emissions savings. Remember to ask for sample dashboards and real time reporting features.

5. Budget based planning: All capital planning is ideally pre-funded. Make sure the budget includes a timeline for when the full funding or debt will be needed. If there is insufficient capital and buildings exceed debt covenants, explore non-debt instruments and ESCO (Energy Services Company) models where financing is provided by the ESCO and all payments are treated as energy service payments. There are also multiple incentives now available. Make sure your quotes for install include research for grants and incentives that may be available to offset the purchase.

6. Free Planning Audit through AllFacilities. We will analyze your EV plan and give verbal, general recommendations of energy saving ideas that can be included in a capital plan.

For information and a customized assessment of your buildings, text or email us below to schedule a call.

Welcome to the Club!  

Anita Brattina, CEO, AllFacilities, Inc.

Survey:

1. What type of energy audit have you conducted in the last three years (including shopping for energy supply?)
2. Can you save enough in energy to pay for the energy improvements?
3. Can a grant help you pay for it?
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5. Submit form to brattina@allfacilities.com

AllFacilities helps facilities managers and building owners maintain, renovate, and manage their facilities through ideas and innovations that lower operating costs, reduce energy and extend building life.  If you are having a problem with one of your facilities, write to us at:  anita.brattina@allfacilities.com  or call 412.721.3186 (text). We have helped more than one million facilities managers in North America and around the world since 2002.