How to choose the right EV charging solution for your business
If you're thinking about installing EV charging at your workplace, hotel, holiday park or commercial property, one of the first questions you'll face is:
"Which EV charger should I choose?"
The answer isn't always straightforward.
What we’re finding working for commercial businesses around Tassie is that many are receiving proposals that include more chargers, more electrical upgrades and more complexity than they actually need.
The best EV charging solution may not be the biggest or most expensive.
It's the one that meets your needs today while allowing room to grow in the future.
At This is Electric, we we listen to understand your business first, then design a solution that fits your goals, your budget and your future plans.
Start with your goals
Before choosing which charger to install, it's worth taking a step back and thinking about what you actually want your EV charging system to achieve.
It is worth asking yourself:
Who will be using the chargers? Staff, customers, guests or fleet vehicles?
How many EVs are you expecting over the next two to five years?
Will charging be offered free of charge or paid?
Is EV charging an added customer service, an employee benefit or a new revenue opportunity?
The answers to these questions will shape the type of system that's right for your business.
We find the most common advice we give businesses often includes the following.
Not every site needs multiple chargers
One of the biggest misconceptions we see is that every business needs several chargers installed straight away.
In reality, many businesses only need one or two chargers to begin with. Businesses can test the market and how much the chargers are used, then expand in future if needed.
The key is designing the installation so it can be expanded easily as demand grows.
Planning for the future doesn't always mean paying for everything upfront.
Not every site needs expensive software
Many commercial EV charging systems offer payment platforms, subscriptions and advanced management software. These features can cost a lot of money and aren't always necessary.
Sometimes simple is best.
For many workplaces and smaller accommodation providers, starting with a simpler solution can significantly reduce upfront costs while still delivering a great charging experience.
As demand grows, additional software and payment features can be added without replacing the charging hardware.
We always recommend an approach that suits your business today, rather than paying for features you may not use for several years.
Think about future growth
A well-designed EV charging installation should be ready to grow alongside your business.
When planning a commercial installation, it's worth considering:
Available electrical capacity
Spare conduit and cable pathways
Future charger locations
Load management
Space for additional charging bays
Making these decisions during the initial installation can save significant time and money if you decide to expand later.
These are all things we can talk through with you during our free site assessment.
Consider your user needs and experience
Different businesses have different charging needs.
For example:
Hotels and accommodation providers may want to provide EV charging for guests overnight.
Workplaces may want to provide charging for staff during business hours.
Retail businesses may want to provide EV charging to encourage customers to stay longer while shopping.
Fleet operators often need vehicles charged and ready at specific times each day.
The following questions are things we can discuss with you in more detail:
Should charging be free or paid?
Do users need to download an app?
Should chargers only operate during business hours?
Do you want reports showing electricity usage to help with billing or monitoring?
The answers to these questions will help determine the right charging solution.
Choosing the right charger
There are many quality EV chargers available, but the best option depends on your business.
When comparing chargers, consider:
Charging speed
Reliability
Ease of use
Warranty and support
Payment options
OCPP compatibility (which means you can install payment software down the track if needed)
Load balancing
Future software updates
Rather than choosing a charger based on brand alone, it's worth considering how it will perform over the next five to ten years and customer support.
Beware of over-engineering
This is one of the most common concerns we hear from commercial customers.
Some businesses receive proposals that include extensive electrical upgrades, multiple chargers or expensive software subscriptions long before they're actually needed.
Sometimes those upgrades are needed but often they're not.
The best design isn't necessarily the biggest system available. It's the one that meets your needs today while allowing room to grow down the track.
Why independent advice matters
Every commercial site is different.
The right solution depends on your building, electrical supply, parking layout, budget and future plans.
Independent advice helps ensure you're investing in a solution that suits your business.
At This is Electric, we take the time to understand how your business operates before recommending an EV charging solution.
Our goal is to design practical, future-ready systems that provide value today while making expansion simple when demand increases.
Ready to explore commercial EV charging?
Whether you're installing your first EV charger or planning a larger commercial charging network, we'd be happy to help.
We work with businesses across Tasmania to design practical EV charging solutions that are tailored to each site—not over-engineered, not unnecessarily complex, just the right solution for your business.
Get in touch to arrange a free site assessment and discuss the best approach for your property.