Workplace Charging: A Plug-in Advantage
Want to reward your employees with an energy-saving incentive that also benefits your company? Provide your electric driving employees with options that will allow them to charge their cars while they work. With more than one million electric cars on the road as of June 2021, forward-looking companies are installing workplace charging systems to keep up with the growing trend of electric cars. They’re also preparing to power their own company fleet vehicles with electricity as a significant part of the trend toward energy savings and sustainability.
Sustainability is a corporate benefit
Many companies, especially large corporations, have established sustainability goals, including reducing their carbon footprint. One measurement used in calculating sustainability is the combined carbon footprint of your employees commuting to work. Electric cars have zero emissions, so with workplace charging, you’re taking almost five metric tons of CO2 off the road with every car you charge. Since the savings of workplace charging is an incentive for employees to switch to electric cars, each new electric car represents a big contribution toward your sustainability goals. And it’s also the socially responsible thing to do: you’re helping reduce air pollution in the communities where you and your employees live.
A powerful incentive for employees
In a tight job market, attracting and retaining talent can be challenging. For the early adopters leading the charge with electric cars, workplace charging is an appealing benefit — not only because fuel savings make a big difference to their wallets, but also because workplace charging demonstrates how they’re working for a socially responsible company committed to sustainability and clean air. Today’s workforce is attracted to and tends to stay with companies that share their values and accommodate changes in technology.
You may have an incentive to charge
The federal government, many states and municipalities offer tax credits and subsidies to companies that make their workplace charging stations open to the public — with many smog-sensitive cities and counties willing to kick in extra to build up their regional charging infrastructure. There are also several funding opportunities specific to charging infrastructure. At SWEPCO, we’re here to help you find these financial breaks. With metered charging station models and payment options, making a workplace charging location available for public use can also help offset some of the cost of your electric bill.
To start, we offer a $250 incentive to help pay for the installation of an ENERGY STAR®-certified Level 2 electric vehicle charging station. Charging stations are available at three different levels – Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Level 1 charging stations have the longest charging times while Level 3 charging stations have the fastest charging times. Level 2 charging stations are in the middle with an average total charging time between four and six hours.
Workplace charging can complement and support fleet charging and the transition of your vehicles to greater efficiency and lower costs. When charging your electric cars, fleet at your workplace, your company gets the same major cost savings as your employees — multiplied by every car you own.
All the recharging you need
Electric car manufacturers and utility companies, SWEPCO included, are making huge strides in faster battery charging. Your choice of workplace charging stations depends on your fleet and/or employee needs. We can help you implement a charging solution that will work for your business, including any wiring or electric improvements needed, and identify any potential incentives which may be available for installing and permitting.
Learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles for your business at SWEPCO.com. If you’re ready, we can help you build your future today with workplace charging. Arkansas customers, please contact Greg Perkins and Louisiana and Texas customers, please contact Mike Nix to get started.