Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG): Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Solution

With the significant impact of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) on climate change and air pollution, a spotlight has been placed on decarbonization and reducing GHG’s impact. Transportation is considered the top source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.

The Biden-Harris Administration has set an ambitious goal to confront the climate crisis, by building a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers along America’s highways and in our communities and have EVs make up at least 50% of new car sales by 2030.

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $7.5 billion in EV charging, $10 billion in clean transportation, and over $7 billion in EV battery components, critical minerals, and materials. These flagship programs complement the Inflation Reduction Act’s landmark support for advanced batteries and new and expanded tax credits for purchases of EVs and to support installations of charging infrastructure, as well as dozens of other federal initiatives designed to drive domestic manufacturing and build a national network of EV charging.

The $7.5 billion in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure funding provided by the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act will help relieve what has been previously considered an insurmountable hurdle to fund.

Public electric vehicle (EV) chargers are an amenity that will help us achieve the 2030 goal and make communities/localities more attractive to travelers, businesses and residents alike.

Greater access to public charging stations will provide EV drivers with the peace of mind to drive farther. With regards to public EV charger selection, the Level 2 (L2) electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) will charge your car overnight, a?DC Fast Charger?(DCFC) charges your car in a matter of minutes while you wait (a DCFC can add 100 miles or more during a quick restroom break in the right conditions and with the right car).

The following things should be considered with regards to the construction/installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Installation of an electric supply infrastructure to provide the necessary power to the charging stations will be required. Therefore, establishing a partnership with an electric utility becomes a critical first step for a commercial property manager or owner looking to install public access EV charging stations.

Evaluation of where to locate public charging stations, securing all required easements and agreements with the site owner, development of structural drawings for EVSE facilities that meet?the requirements of the electric utility, the purchase of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), obtaining the required permits from the authority having jurisdiction in your desired installation location, and utilizing a certified/experienced electrician will also be required before the start of construction for EV charger installation.

Construction will include, but not be limited to, trenching, conduit, wire, circuit breakers, panel upgrades, concrete cut and patch, asphalt cut and patch, signage, striping, bollards, labor, and more. The installation will also require connection, testing and commissioning, in preparation for the site to be energized.

Public charging stations require networking in order to provide smart capabilities such as payment processing, access control, session limits, and more. With networking, anyone can pull up to the charger and initiate a charging session at the expense of the site host. Either the EV driver or the site host will pay for the electricity used at a charging station. Additional fees to cover the cost of networking and maintenance should be considered by the site host.

Initially, there shouldn’t be any maintenance costs due to the equipment being brand new. If there are any issues, this should be covered with the product and labor warranty. Over time, the equipment will have seen better days and periodic maintenance will be required. Since the plug is mechanical and is used over and over with each charging session, it will, at some point, need to be replaced.

In closing Level 2 and/or DCFC charging station installations are the most desired installations and should be given consideration. We must do our part to support the achievement of the Biden-Harris Administrations' ambitious goal to confront the climate crisis, by building a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers along America’s highways and in our communities by 2030 in support of the anticipate growth of electronic vehicle sales over the next 17 years.

To save you and your employees valued time and energy, utilization of an experienced construction management services firm to coordinate the entire project on your behalf should be given consideration.