Be cost-efficient: Install charging stations when renovating

2 min read
May 9, 2018 12:17:20 PM
The EU directive on the energy performance of buildings explicitly promotes electro-mobility and the creation of charging possibilities for EV drivers.
 
Charging stations, both at residential and corporate parking spots are a prerequisite for a smooth everyday life for EV drivers.
 
For the most part, EVs are charged either at home or at work - wherever the car is parked for many hours a day. Being able to charge at residential or corporate parking spots makes owning and driving an EV effortless. The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) puts charging possibilities for EVs at the forefront of the new requirements.
 

Make charging available for everyone

According to the new directive, new buildings need to be built with tubing for cables, if they have more than 10 parking spots. The same goes for old buildings that are being thoroughly renovated. Even if charging stations aren't installed at the parking lot now, tubing makes it easier to install them in the future. Residential buildings should be well aware of the needs of the residents, so that proper charging services can be provided to everyone in the building who needs it, now and in the near future.

According to the new directive, newly built non-residential buildings as well as buildings being renovated, should build one charging point for every five parking spots.

Installing a charging point or enabling the installation as a part of a renovation is cost-effective - whether the law requires it or not.

Some might worry that the renewed directive will require huge investments, too expensive for the building owners. According to the Technology Industries of Finland, installing charging point or tubing for cables as a part of a renovation does not raise the costs significantly. In many European countries, buildings are currently being thoroughly renovated, as buildings raised during the construction boom of the 70s need to be overhauled. This renovation boom comes at a perfect time for the EV industry: the demand for a charging infrastructure is constantly increasing, so why not build it now?

When all charging points installed live up to a certain, high standard, an EV driver doesn't have to worry about whether or not a charging point is compatible with his or her vehicle. Other than the standardised Type 2 charging plug, the modern and sustainable charging point can charge the vehicle with adequate, minimum charging power; allows remote, smart load management; and updates according to changing needs.