4
Min
October 11, 2024
,
Jan Rossbach

E-Mobility at the Workplace: How Companies Can Benefit from Charging Infrastructure

The electrification of transport is a key component of the energy transition. For companies aiming to embrace sustainable mobility, building a charging infrastructure is a crucial step. In this article, we offer a concise yet well-rounded look at the technology and outline the benefits, along with the most important aspects companies should consider during implementation.

What is Charging Infrastructure and How Does It Work in Companies?

Charging infrastructure consists of a combination of AC and DC charging stations and intelligent software solutions. Companies can choose between AC stations — ideal for charging during working hours (with charging power up to 22 kW) — and DC fast-charging stations (around 150 kW), which allow for high-speed charging but require higher investment. It’s also important to select the right plug type — in Europe, Type 2 and the CCS system are standard.

A modern charging setup includes not only the hardware but also backend systems for monitoring and control. These systems enable user management, billing, and load management — helping companies optimize energy consumption and future-proof their charging infrastructure.

What Are the Benefits of Charging Infrastructure for Companies?

Charging infrastructure offers companies a wide range of benefits, from sustainability impact to long-term financial gains. One of the key advantages is the contribution to environmental goals and the positive brand image. By promoting electric vehicles and providing charging options, companies actively help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and position themselves as environmentally responsible players. This not only strengthens credibility around sustainability but also enhances brand image, making companies more attractive to both employees and customers.

Another major benefit is cost savings — both short and long term. While setting up charging infrastructure requires initial investment, companies can significantly reduce operating costs with electric vehicles. Electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline or diesel, leading to substantial savings. Additionally, electrified fleets can benefit from tax advantages, such as exemptions from company car taxes. In many countries, there are government incentives to support the installation of charging infrastructure. For example, in North Rhine-Westphalia, the base installation of non-public charging stations is subsidized. Companies can receive up to 20% of expenses, with a cap of €50,000 — significantly reducing upfront costs and accelerating the shift to e-mobility.

Offering workplace charging also boosts employee satisfaction and retention — especially in urban areas where many commuters don’t have access to home charging. Companies can also open their infrastructure to customers, increasing service value and fostering stronger customer relationships. Public charging stations can also generate additional revenue if companies charge for usage, improving the profitability of the infrastructure.

What Should Companies Consider When Implementing Charging Infrastructure?

Implementing a charging infrastructure requires careful planning and consideration of several key factors. The first step is a detailed needs analysis. Companies should assess how many charging points are required and where they should be installed. The number of stations depends on the number of electric vehicles in use and employee commuting patterns. Future business growth and the anticipated rise of e-mobility should also be factored in to prevent overloading the infrastructure later on.
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Another crucial aspect is grid capacity. Especially for larger companies, the additional electricity demand can strain the local grid. Therefore, installing intelligent load management systems is recommended. These systems balance energy consumption and prevent peak loads by distributing charging sessions throughout the day. This not only reduces electricity costs but also increases operational efficiency. Integrating solar power systems (PV) further enhances self-consumption — meaning that on-site solar energy can be used to charge vehicles, lowering costs and environmental impact.

Companies must also stay up to date on legal and regulatory requirements. In many countries, laws such as the German Building Electric Mobility Infrastructure Act (GEIG) require the installation of charging points for new constructions or major renovations. From January 1, 2025, owners of non-residential buildings with more than 20 parking spaces will be obligated to install at least one charging point. However, small and medium-sized businesses that mostly use their own buildings are exempt from GEIG — so it’s important to check whether the law applies in each case.

What Innovations and Future Technologies Should Companies Watch?

In addition to current charging technologies, companies should keep an eye on future solutions like bidirectional charging (Vehicle-to-Grid, V2G). With V2G, electric vehicles could serve as mobile energy storage systems, feeding power back into the grid — enabling flexible energy use and new revenue streams.

Conclusion

Installing a charging infrastructure offers companies numerous benefits — from reducing CO₂ emissions to enhancing employer branding. With thoughtful planning that includes needs analysis, grid capacity assessment, and available incentives, implementing a charging solution becomes a valuable step toward sustainable corporate mobility.

Useful Links for Further Reading:

Fraunhofer IAO: Laden am Arbeitsplatz

Fraunhofer IFAM: Whitepaper Emissionsminderung durch Ladeinfrastruktur

PV-Magazine: Potenzial von Ladeinfrastruktur

Elektromobilität NRW: Förderung für Unternehmen

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