September 12, 2023

Workplace EV Charging – Benefits for Employee Retention and Corporate Sustainability

6 Min. Read

As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to surge, businesses recognize the advantages of offering workplace EV charging solutions. Accessible and convenient charging stations support employees in transitioning to EVs and demonstrate a commitment to corporate sustainability.

In this article, we’ll explore how EV charging in the workplace boosts employee retention and satisfaction while also supporting the environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) goals of the organization.

Employee Retention and Satisfaction

Over the past few years, many industries have experienced labor challenges and new trends are emerging for companies looking to hire employees as well as individuals finding and remaining with businesses.

Employees want a career that feels meaningful and many are looking for a sense of shared purpose and aligned values with their employer.

Working for an organization with strong ESG values and a clear sense of purpose can directly support happiness, job satisfaction, and employee retention. For businesses looking to make a strong statement, offering EV charging is an excellent start for communicating their commitment to a sustainable future and supporting like-minded employees already driving electric or looking to purchase an electric vehicle.

EV charging also doubles as a practical perk for employees by enabling them to charge their EVs during the workday.

Convenient Charging Options

EV adoption is growing at a fast pace. Current projections reveal that sales could increase by as much as 35% between 2022 and 2023.

Increasingly affordable EVs and a growing awareness of environmental issues are rapidly driving adoption. However, the limited scope of the current charging infrastructure is an obstacle and for many, limited access to charging results in range anxiety or otherwise makes owning an EV more challenging.

The administration is investing an unprecedented $7.5 billion to develop the charging infrastructure with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, while states and local governments are working to establish a network of public chargers, we’re still years away from an effective charging network at the national level, and not all EV drivers are able to install EV charging at home. Installing EV charging in the workplace works to resolve these immediate issues for your employees.

You can position your business as a leader by making EV charging available now. This perk will support EV adoption in your community and make different use cases possible:

• Employees can leave their vehicles plugged in during their shifts. With Level 2 charging taking four to ten hours, they’ll go home with a full battery and avoid the peak evening rates if your local utility provider has a time-of-use pricing model.
• Potential customers or partners can top off their EV battery during meetings or events, making their experience memorable and ensuring they feel valued.
• If you have fleet vehicles, replacing them with EVs and using your charging infrastructure throughout the day will help you manage costs and boost your fleet efficiency.

Demonstrating Employer Commitment

As more businesses are adopting a purpose-driven model and embracing ESG values to guide growth, it’s important to determine the values and ideals your company represents.

Whether you’re taking the first step toward building an ESG plan or already have an established program, investing in EV charging demonstrates your commitment to sustainability

Because of their location, the EV chargers and the clean vehicles using them are one of the first things people will notice.

With 38% of US adults describing themselves as somewhat or very likely to buy an EV, offering charging at work could lead to a significant share of your workforce making the switch by removing one of the greatest hesitancies in driving electric – range anxiety.

Competitive Edge in Recruitment

Experts agree that hiring will remain challenging for the foreseeable future. For recruiters dealing with labor challenges, focusing on job satisfaction, offering a mix of traditional and non-traditional perks, and fostering a strong company culture can be differentiators that help your business stand out among the competition and attract top talent.

By making EV charging available at work, you can directly support personal ESG goals while demonstrating you share important environmental values with candidates. Plus, the cost savings of switching to an EV can provide additional value for candidates, making this an ideal incentive for more financially-minded individuals as well.

Corporate Sustainability and ESG Goals

Companies with strong ESG processes attract investors, customers, and talent while creating a path that respects the environment and local community.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

Your carbon footprint essentially reflects the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from your business activities. Fleet vehicles significantly contribute to your company’s footprint, but you shouldn’t overlook the impact of employees commuting either.

In some locations, a household switching to an EV can reduce its carbon footprint by as much as 4.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Electrifying your fleet and encouraging employees to adopt EVs will significantly reduce your environmental impact. You can additionally invest in a solar array or a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to avoid drawing power from the grid during peak hours when energy production requires more resources due to efficiency losses and utility costs are typically higher. This will support your business is saving money, both through EV charging but also with regards to daily electricity needs, as well as making your organization more energy resilient.

Leveraging Incentives and Tax Credits

Upgrading your business with EV chargers can make your company eligible for different incentives that offset the cost of installation and maintenance:

• You can qualify for a 30% federal tax credit by replacing gas-powered fleet vehicles with EVs.
• Many states and utility providers offer rebates for installing a charging station.
• Some utilities offer incentives in the form of lower time-of-use (TOU) rates.
• You can earn energy credits by using bidirectional charging to turn fleet EVs into a source of energy to be sold back to the utility during peak hours when demand is highest.

Review incentives and credits available in your state and determine which programs your local utility provider offers. A licensed electrician can assist you in determining which incentives you may be eligible for and can support you by ensuring your project matches the requirements for any potential rebate programs.

Positive Brand Image

Eighty percent of consumers will pay 5% more for a sustainable product. People care about the environment, and shaping your brand image around impactful ESG values is a strong strategy for connecting with your audience.

EV charging is a concrete step toward building that environmentally-forward reputation. People will notice electric fleet vehicles with your company’s logo and employees charging their EVs in front of your building. You can also showcase your commitment to your ESG goals by openly discussing your decision to invest in EV charging on social media and in other media forums.

Turnkey Solutions for Workplace EV Charging

Finding a solution in EV charging that works for your organization is key to the long-term success and sustainability of your employee satisfaction and any ESG programs. It’s important to work with a licensed electrician to determine a charging strategy that meets your needs..

With a streamlined and personalized approach to upgrading your place of business with EV charging, and the most trusted network of electrical contractors trained in EV charging station installations and other electrification technology services, Qmerit can help.

Simplified Implementation

At Qmerit, our goal is to make electrification seamless. We offer a convenient process that begins with experts assessing your commercial property and recommending the best EV charging solutions.

We’ll oversee the installation process and help you complete your project on time and budget.

Ongoing Operations and Maintenance

EV chargers require basic maintenance, and with Qmerit’s comprehensive operations and maintenance services, you’ll have the peace of mind to know that your charging infrastructure is always in optimal condition.

Expertise and Partnerships

As an electrification leader, Qmerit works with the best manufacturers in the industry. Our partnerships give you access to a wide selection of charging products, and our experts can recommend the most relevant equipment for your unique needs and requirements.

Contact Qmerit today for more information about the benefits of adding EV charging to your workplace and let’s build your business for the future.