When it comes to EV charging and EV infrastructure, we’ve all seen reports and research that suggest the infrastructure we’re providing is often inadequate. How do we improve that? To implement the best solutions we need to understand the problem. It’s next to impossible to do that if we’re outsourcing the full solution to multiple providers. That’s where turnkey EV charging solution providers come in.
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When looking at the price tag, many business and property owners believe an EV charging solution mostly entails plunking a charging station down in a location and letting it do its thing (that thing being charging vehicles). And yes, the actual charging station is part of the solution, but that’s a station, not a solution. So exactly what is an EV charging solution?
EV charging solutions encompass the entire EV charging ecosystem from your EV charging platform management system to the stations themselves. Arguably, the solution should include everything from site analysis to installation and implementation, but that depends on your provider.
If you’ve heard anything about EV charging station reliability and accessibility, then you know one of the problems drivers have is that not all EV charging stations (or their apps) are the same, or created equal.
Businesses as well as property owners and developers are learning the same is true of EVSE providers– not all are the same and the solutions they provide are not equal. The first big difference many will note is whether EVSE providers offer networked or non-networked EV charging stations and the charging platform management system (CPMS) to support them. Networked EV charging stations are a stronger solution as they allow station owners and hosts to manage and monitor the stations remotely, ensuring reliability.
As we mentioned earlier, solutions are about solving problems and, for that reason, finding a solution provider who helps solve problems rather than create them means finding an EVSE provider who can offer networked EV charging stations and help you keep your charging stations up and running reliably.
Further, some solution providers will sell you the hardware, but they don’t offer assistance when it comes to site analysis or implementation. Similarly, some solution providers assist with installation but implementation and ongoing support are harder to come by.
Undoubtedly, it’s your goal in implementing an EV charging solution on your property to provide charging stations for residents, employees, customers, or visitors. It’s also likely that another desired outcome is to meet your own goals, for sustainability, revenue generation, reputational boosts, and more. The best way to ensure you’re meeting your goals is to choose an EVSE provider who understands that an EV charging program is more than just installing EV charging stations.
So who does all of it? Everything from site analyst to installation and implementation and provides ongoing support? Turnkey EV charging solution providers. Turnkey EV charging solution providers will walk you through every step of the process. From offering advice and expertise as you explore your options to conducting the site analysis themselves (rather than farming it out), they work to understand your needs, your goals, and observe any potential challenges you might face so they can provide the best solution.
EV charging solutions are not one size fits all and turnkey solution providers ensure you get the best fit. In fact, turnkey solution providers can and will work with other vendors for installation if a client prefers. The ultimate goal of a turnkey solution is to provide expertise and advice through the entire process, ensuring the desired EV charging solution is achieved.
When you make the decision to move ahead with an EV charging solution or program, you’re making an investment. You wouldn’t invest money without ensuring there was a long term plan or solvency and turnkey EV charging providers are similarly invested in you. Often, they’re invested in the industry and in the long term success of EV infrastructure itself.
Because they’re invested in the success of EV infrastructure, these EVSE providers are interested in ensuring you’re optimizing your site, choosing the right locations for your stations, and enabling you to manage and monitor your stations for reliability and performance. They’re more likely to provide ongoing support and future proof software solutions including utilizing open charge point protocol (OCPP).
Your EV charging program is only as successful as your stations are reliable, which means a CPMS that allows you to monitor your stations, manage power loads, report on revenue, and analyze charging data to optimize your program. A turnkey solution provider’s relationship with you and your charging program doesn’t start with or end after installation.
Choosing to begin an EV charging program or offer EV charging at your business or property takes planning and investment. For that reason, choosing your service provider should also take time. From doing your due diligence on the service provider to determining whether they can help you meet your needs is an essential part of the process and that means asking the right questions.
When you purchase major equipment or appliances for your home or business, you research and you investigate the brand, its reputation, its service and warranty, and likely more. The same should be true of how you view your EVSE provider. If you wouldn’t buy scratch and dent for your home or business, avoiding the same for your EVSE solution shouldn’t be an option either.
So, what should you look for? An EVSE provider should offer:
1. Networked EV charging stations
2. A variety of charging station options to meet your needs
3. A robust and powerful CPMS
4. Charging network reliability
5. Ongoing support and powerful warranties
And, finally, look for a turnkey solution that works with you from day one to see you through site selection and analysis, installation, implementation, and onward. Without that kind of expertise and service, you run the risk of purchasing equipment you don’t need, making site upgrades you don’t have to, and, in a few years, looking for an EVSE provider who offers the support you should get from day one.
If you’re looking to work with a turnkey EV charging solution provider, we encourage you to give us a call. We provide you with unparalleled products and support, from day one, and our experts and team are ready to help ensure your EV charging implementation is a success, whether you’re providing public infrastructure or electrifying your fleet. Get in touch with the NovaCHARGE team today and let’s get started!