Key takeaways:
- If you’re planning a commercial EV charging project, you need to reach out to your utility early in your planning process.
- You’ll have to coordinate utility-side upgrades and discuss timelines and costs, among other things.
- EVPlugz can help Florida businesses coordinate with utilities, prepare project documentation, and install commercial EV charging infrastructure.
A commercial EV charging project can significantly increase your energy demand. Before you go ahead with the installation process, it’s important to understand how this demand will impact your electrical infrastructure, including the components owned and operated by your local utility.
Whether your business gets power from Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, or a local municipal utility, you need to contact your utility early on in the planning process to coordinate any upgrades.
Is There Capacity for the Proposed Charging Load?
Your first step should be to have an EV charging consultant conduct a load calculation. This analysis will tell you:
- How much electrical demand your current infrastructure can handle.
- The amount of extra power required to run your commercial EV chargers.
- Whether your current infrastructure can handle this additional load.
If the proposed charging load is higher than your current capacity, options include installing a new panel with more capacity or looking into power management solutions. You may also need some utility-side upgrades to deliver the amount of power needed.
Does Your EV Charging Project Require Utility-Side Upgrades?
Depending on the scope of your project and how much charging load it will create, some utility-side upgrades may be needed, including:
- Upgrading the service entrance, meter equipment, and switchgear to deliver more power to your commercial property.
- Local service conductors and feeder lines may need to be replaced if they’re old.
- A larger transformer can deliver higher voltage. This may be needed if you’re switching to three-phase power.
For larger projects that involve DC Fast charging, your local utility may need to do additional work at the nearest substation.
Is Three-Phase Power Available?
Three-phase power can deliver increased voltage for commercial and industrial properties. Upgrading from single-phase to three-phase power may be needed for your EV charging project.
If it’s the case, you should find out if three-phase power is already available in your area or if it will require some utility-side upgrades.
What Studies and Construction Steps Are Required on Your End?
As you coordinate with your local utility, you’ll likely have to provide more information about your EV charging project and your infrastructure:
- Your utility may require engineering studies showing plans to install chargers as well as the projected electrical load.
- If you need to do some electrical upgrades on your property, you’ll have to show plans to the utility and discuss a timeline so these upgrades can be coordinated with utility-side work.
Connect with your utility early in the planning process and find out what kind of information and documentation are expected from you.
Costs and Timelines
Utility-side upgrades can take time. In fact, it’s a common cause of delays for commercial EV charging projects.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Reach out to your utility early in the planning process. Provide all the plans and details needed.
- Discuss a timeline for utility-side upgrades and coordinate with the work you’ll do on your end.
You should also have a discussion about costs. Your utility may cover some of the upgrades, but you may be liable for some of the costs.
Discuss Tariffs, Demand Charges, and Time-of-Use Rates
EV charging will increase your energy usage: How will this impact your electric bills?
You should discuss pricing with your utility early in the planning process. Find out which rates you’ll be eligible for once you add EV chargers and ask about things like tariffs, demand charges during peak usage, and time-of-use rates.
Coordinate Your EV Charging Project With EVPlugz
Utility coordination is an important part of planning your commercial EV charging project.
As a Florida-based commercial EV charging consultant and installer, EVPlugz can help. We understand the local utility process and can help coordinate site assessments, load calculations, utility documentation, infrastructure upgrades, and charger installation.
Contact us today online or at +1 (321) 549 7002 to discuss your commercial EV charging project in Florida.
FAQ
When should I contact my utility about a commercial EV charging project?
Ideally, you should contact your utility before selecting final charging equipment, beginning construction, or setting a project completion date. Early coordination can help identify required upgrades, expected costs, and potential scheduling delays.
What is a load calculation for commercial EV charging?
A load calculation evaluates your property’s existing electrical demand and available capacity. It helps determine how much additional power your proposed EV chargers will need and whether your current electrical infrastructure can support that load.
What utility-side upgrades might be needed for commercial EV charging?
Depending on the property and charging load, upgrades can include a larger electrical service, new meter equipment, upgraded switchgear, larger service conductors, feeder improvements, or a new transformer. Larger DC fast-charging projects may also require upgrades farther upstream in the utility’s distribution system.
Will the utility pay for EV charging upgrades?
It depends on the utility, the project scope, and available EV charging or make-ready programs. Some Florida utilities offer incentives that may offset eligible infrastructure costs, but funding, eligibility requirements, and covered work vary. Ask about available programs before purchasing equipment or beginning construction.
