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There are many options when you are considering installing EV charging. Many electricians will install EV chargers. Charging hardware manufacturers offer full-scope packages including installation. But these options often mean you're only seeing part of the picture. Electricians usually recommend whatever hardware is available from their favorite supply house. Obviously, hardware manufacturers will recommend their own products. But when you work with a team like ReVision Energy, who specializes in EV charging and offers products from multiple vendors, you get a customized solution. Not only will it meet your needs better, but it could also save you money and headaches over time.
People often think that the up-front installation cost is what matters most when installing EV Chargers. But ongoing operating expenses can be even more consequential. Below is a comparison of some large Level 2 charging projects I worked on recently that had the same performance specs on paper.
One cost about $25,000 less initially, which seemed more appealing. But looking at the full picture over 10 years, the cheaper system would end up costing $162,000 more! That’s a difference bigger than the total price of the original installation. Operating expenses can really add up over 10 years.
For the full suite of skills to design a proper system and explain the entire financial picture of operating it, you need a team that does more than just install EV chargers. ReVision’s in-house Design and Policy teams mean we keep up to date on utility rates. We look at the full picture so you get the best results for your money.
For example, we had a client who wanted to install a large group of EV chargers at a multi-family building. The residents were on board to pay for the hardware, but they didn't want to pay any ongoing software fees. A nationwide competitor provided them with a quote that added just a few cents per kWh instead of an annual software fee.
Our solution costs a little more ($2,240) to install and it requires an annual software fee for an additional $26k for 5 years. Were we not paying attention to what they wanted? Well, here's the kicker - paying for that software will allow them to avoid $100k in utility fees over those five years. The competitor's no-fee solution won't allow that.
Overall, they could save $71,402 over 5 years by working with us. This is the difference when you work with ReVision Energy - a full-service, local EV design team who knows the ins and outs of your utility rates and knows how to save you money.
ADA Compliance for EV Chargers isn't optional - it's federal law. And there's way more to it than adding paint and a sign.
Recently we came across an EV charging setup in Maine that looked pretty snazzy: a canopy, four 320kW ports placed in a prominent spot next to the building, a good convenience store with bathrooms and hot food options. But the hardware and site design meant this site is NOT ADA compliant. There are multiple operating parts well above the 48” height limit - including both payment methods and the entire touchscreen. And with the screen on the side of the unit, it's nearly impossible to design a clear access route maintaining minimum widths. Imagine trying to get a wheelchair between the charger and canopy post to access the screen while your vehicle is parked in the marked ADA space. There are lots of hardware options out there with screens on the side or back of the unit, making ADA compliance difficult or downright impossible. ADA isn’t just nice to have. It’s federal law and if your EV Charging isn’t compliant, it opens your business to lawsuits. (In the case of this site, it may also be why they didn’t receive the funding it was supposed to, losing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in incentives.)
It could be a very expensive lesson if you just go with whatever hardware company makes a good pitch, or buy chargers yourself and have them installed by the cheapest bid electrician. Our team specializes in EV site design and knows the legal requirements of ADA. We can help you select ADA-compliant hardware and make sure it’s designed and installed in a way that maintains compliance.