Rapid Growth in EV Vehicle Sales
According to ICBC, there has been rapid growth in the amount of insured electric vehicles on the road, which means there is an ever-increasing need for ev charging ports for commercial buildings as well. In 2019, there were 13,727, by the end of 2020 there were 29,385! This number only continues to grow at an exponential rate. Residents of British Columbia have discovered the advantages of electric vehicles such as:
- Reductions in operating costs
- Low maintenance
- Smooth and silent operation
- Reduction of CO2 emissions
In 2020 alone, the sales of zero-emission cars accounted for almost 10 percent of all sales of cars in BC. In all of North America, BC has seen the most rapid growth in the sales of EV vehicles.
Types of EV Chargers in BC
There are generally three levels of charging available for EV owners. Standard 120-volt are most common in homes, they take about a day to charge, second-tier chargers that offer a full charge in several hours, and superchargers that can recharge an EV in less than an hour.
What is the Best Charger for Commercial Buildings
With the rapid growth of electric vehicles on the road, Commercial building Property Managers need to offer to charge solutions to accommodate drivers of EV vehicles. Commercial buildings include:
- Shopping centers
- Apartment complexes
- Hotels
- Industrial properties
- Restaurants
When it comes to commercial properties, the best charging solution is a level two charger, also known as a fast charger. This is the best solution because it is suitable for all-electric vehicles and provides a charge at a reasonable rate. The infrastructure cost is also reasonably low as well.
If the location where the charger is being installed requires a quick user turnaround, then a rapid charger is also an option. However, this includes a much higher infrastructure cost due to the higher voltages and currents involved.
There is no perfect solution for installing an EV charger for a commercial building. Every commercial building has different needs, and finding the charger that is right for the building is up to the discretion of the Property Manager. Determining the best solution should be based on a situational analysis of the current building requirements and the potential for expansion in the future.
If you have any questions regarding the installation of EV chargers for your commercial building, contact us today for more information.
