EV Charging for Restaurants: Size It to Your Table Turn.
How useful a charger is to a restaurant comes down to one number: how long your guests stay. This guide matches charging power, bay layout and pricing to your format, from drive-thru to destination dining.
What Kind of Restaurant Are You?
Visit length decides everything else. Find your format first.
| Format | Typical visit | What a charger adds in that time | What we would suggest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-thru & quick service | 10–20 min | About 10–20 km on an 11 kW AC charger. Too little for most drivers. | Only DC charging adds meaningful range here. AC still makes sense for staff or delivery vehicles parked all shift. |
| Café & fast casual | 30–45 min | About 20–31 km on a 7.4 kW charger. | One 7–11 kW AC wallbox covering two bays. |
| Sit-down restaurant | 60–90 min | About 41–62 km on 7.4 kW, or 61–92 km on 11 kW. | 7–11 kW AC. Choose 22 kW only with a three-phase supply and guests whose cars accept 22 kW AC. |
| Destination & roadside | 45–120 min, often travellers | Enough to reach the next stop, if drivers know you have chargers. | 22 kW AC wallboxes, listed on charging map apps. Consider DC on a major highway route. |
| Multi-site chain | Varies by site | — | The same charger model and app at every site, so guests and staff get the same experience and you see all sites in one place. |
Estimates assume about 18 kWh per 100 km. AC charging speed is capped by the car's onboard charger.
How Much Range Can Diners Add During a Meal?
The right charger depends on how long your guests stay. Use this table to match charging power to your typical visit length.
| Charging Power | 30-Minute Visit | 45-Minute Visit | 60-Minute Visit | Good Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.4 kW ACSingle-phase | ≈ 20 km / 12 mi | ≈ 31 km / 19 mi | ≈ 41 km / 25 mi | Cafés and small independents |
| 11 kW ACThree-phase, or 11.5 kW Level 2 in North America | ≈ 31 km / 19 mi | ≈ 46 km / 29 mi | ≈ 61 km / 38 mi | Sit-down restaurants |
| 22 kW ACThree-phase | ≈ 61 km / 38 mi* | ≈ 92 km / 57 mi* | ≈ 122 km / 76 mi* | Sites where many visitors drive cars with 22 kW onboard chargers |
| 22 kW DCCompact DC | ≈ 61 km / 38 mi | ≈ 92 km / 57 mi | ≈ 122 km / 76 mi | Quick-service and roadside stops |
Estimates assume average consumption of 18 kWh per 100 km (about 3.4 miles per kWh) and do not include charging losses; real results vary with the vehicle, temperature and battery level. *AC charging speed is capped by the car's onboard charger. Many EVs accept 11 kW AC at most, so a 22 kW AC charger gives those cars 11 kW. DC charging bypasses the onboard charger.
Where to Put the Charging Bays.
Restaurant lots are small and busy. These choices matter more than the charger brand.
Visible, but not your best bays
Pick bays drivers can see from the street or the entrance, so the chargers get noticed. Keep the bays closest to the door for accessible parking and quick visits.
Keep pickup and delivery bays separate
Takeaway pickups and delivery drivers need bays that turn over in minutes. If they share a bay with a charging car, both lose. Mark them separately.
One wallbox, two bays
Charging ports sit on the front, side or rear depending on the car. Mounting one wallbox between two bays, with a 5 m or 7 m tethered cable (25 ft in North America), lets it reach either space.
Accessibility
If a charging bay is meant to be accessible, check the local guidance on bay width, kerbs and reach to the screen and cable, for example PAS 1899 in the UK or the US Access Board guidance in the United States.
Light and sign the bays
Dinner guests come back to their cars after dark. Light the bays and put up a sign that says the bay is for charging vehicles and shows any time limit.
Plan for the second charger now
Running extra conduit during the first installation costs little and avoids digging up the car park when demand grows.
Keep Bays Turning During the Rush.
The four problems restaurants run into most, and how to prevent each one.
A full car stays parked all evening
Fix: set a time limit that matches your visit length and show it on the sign. If you charge for charging, add an idle fee that starts when the session ends.
Non-diners use the bays
Fix: limit charging to customers with an app access list or RFID cards handed out at the counter.
Kitchen and chargers peak together
Fix: ovens, fryers and air conditioning peak at service time, just as diners plug in. Ask for a load-management setup that lowers charger current when the building load is high.
Staff get pulled into charging
Fix: drivers start sessions themselves with the app, an RFID card or plug-and-charge. Staff only need to know who to call if a charger shows a fault.
Free, Paid or Loyalty Perk?
There is no single right model. Pick the one that fits your brand, then adjust it using your own usage data.
Free for Diners
Best for: Building goodwill and attracting EV drivers who plan stops around charging.
How it works: Charging is free while guests eat, with a session time limit so bays keep turning over.
Watch out for: Non-customers using the bays. Restrict access with RFID cards or app access lists.
Paid Charging
Best for: Recovering electricity costs at busy sites.
How it works: Charge per kWh, per session or per minute, and add an idle fee once a car is fully charged.
Watch out for: Local rules on payment methods and price display for public chargers.
Loyalty Perk
Best for: Raising average spend and repeat visits.
How it works: Free or discounted charging for members or above a minimum spend, validated at the counter or in the app.
Watch out for: Keeping redemption simple for staff during lunch and dinner rushes.
Make Sure EV Drivers Know You Have Chargers.
A charger nobody can find does not bring in diners. Four places to list it:
Charging map apps
Many EV drivers choose where to stop by checking a charging map. Add your chargers to the main apps used in your country, with photos and opening hours.
Your Google Business Profile
Add EV charging to your profile where the option is available, and mention it in your description and photos.
Your website and booking page
Say it on the pages diners already read: the location page, the booking page and booking confirmation messages.
Opening hours on the charger
If chargers are customers only or close with the restaurant, say so on the listing. Drivers who arrive to a locked bay leave bad reviews.
Chargers That Fit Restaurant Sites.
Specifications from our current product catalogue. Certificates are listed per model in every quote.
EV-ACT3204E wallbox
- 7 kW, 32 A, 230 V single-phase
- Tethered Type 2 cable, 5 m or 7 m
- RFID card, app and plug-and-charge start
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 4G optional
Best for cafés and sit-down restaurants on a single-phase supply.
EV-ACT1602PE wallbox
- 11 kW, 16 A, 380–400 V three-phase
- Tethered Type 2 cable, CEE 5-pin plug
- RFID card, app and plug-and-charge start
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 4G optional
Best for sit-down restaurants with a three-phase supply.
EV-ACT3204PE wallbox
- 22 kW, 32 A, 380–400 V three-phase
- Tethered Type 2 cable, CEE 5-pin plug
- RFID card, app and plug-and-charge start
- IP66
Best for destination and roadside restaurants.
EV-ACT4001U / EV-ACT4001T
- Up to 40 A, 9.6 kW, 208–240 V
- J1772 (U) or NACS (T), 25 ft cable
- NEMA 14-50 plug, needs a 50 A breaker
- NEMA 4 / IP66, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Best for most sit-down restaurants in the US and Canada.
EV-ACT5002U / EV-ACT5002T
- 50 A, 12 kW, 240 V
- J1772 (U) or NACS (T), 25 ft cable
- Hardwired installation
- App and plug-and-charge start
Best where guests stay longer and you want the fastest Level 2 rate.
EV-RHDC30K-L compact DC charger
- 22 kW DC output, single tethered connector
- 380–415 V three-phase input
- OCPP 1.6J, RFID card and app start
- IP54, 5 m cable, floor-standing
Best for drive-thru, quick-service and highway restaurants.
The compact DC charger needs a three-phase supply and a concrete base. Final circuit sizing and permits must follow your local electrical code and be confirmed by a licensed electrician.
Rules to Check Before You Buy.
Chargers that are open to the public face extra rules on safety listings, connectors and payment. Use this checklist for your region.
United States & Canada
- Safety listing from a recognized testing lab (UL, ETL or CSA mark) for the exact model
- Installation to NEC Article 625 in the US or the Canadian Electrical Code
- Connectors: SAE J1772 or NACS (SAE J3400) for AC; CCS1 or NACS for DC
- Check local accessibility rules for public charging bays
European Union
- CE marking, with chargers built to IEC 61851
- Connectors: Type 2 for AC, CCS2 for DC
- Under AFIR, publicly accessible chargers must allow ad-hoc payment: below 50 kW by card reader, contactless device or secure QR payment; 50 kW and above by card reader or contactless device
- Billing per kWh may require calibration-law-compliant metering in some countries, such as Germany
United Kingdom
- UKCA or CE marking
- Connectors: Type 2 for AC, CCS2 for DC
- Under the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, new public charge points of 8 kW and above must accept contactless payment
- Public charging prices must be shown clearly in pence per kWh
Send Us These 6 Details for a Tailored Plan.
This helps our engineers recommend the right configuration for your site faster.
Restaurant EV Charging — Frequently Asked Questions.
Do we need DC fast charging, or is AC enough for a restaurant?
It depends on how long guests stay. For sit-down restaurants with 60 to 90 minute visits, a 7 to 11 kW AC charger adds roughly 40 to 90 km of range, which most drivers are happy with. For drive-thru and quick-service sites where visits last 10 to 20 minutes, AC adds very little; a compact 22 kW DC charger adds about 20 to 40 km in that time. Tell us your format and we will tell you honestly whether AC is worth it.
Which parking bays should we use for charging?
Choose bays that are visible from the street or entrance, so drivers can find them, but keep your closest accessible bays and your takeaway or delivery pickup bays free. Mounting one wallbox between two bays lets the cable reach either space, which helps because car charging ports sit on different sides.
How do we stop a fully charged car blocking the bay all evening?
Set a time limit that matches your typical visit, show it on a sign at the bay, and if you charge for charging, add an idle fee that starts once the session ends. Restricting access to customers with an app or RFID card also stops non-diners from using the bay.
Will the chargers overload our kitchen supply during dinner service?
Commercial kitchens peak at exactly the times diners arrive. Ask your electrician to check the spare capacity of your main supply at peak, and choose a load-management setup that lowers charger current when the building load is high. Send us your supply rating and we will suggest a setup.
Do our staff need to start or manage charging sessions?
No. Drivers start sessions themselves with the app, an RFID card or plug-and-charge, so your team can stay focused on service. Staff only need to know who to call if a charger shows a fault.
How do EV drivers find out we have chargers?
List the chargers on the major EV charging map apps, add EV charging to your Google Business Profile where the option is available, and mention it on your website and booking confirmations. Many EV drivers plan meal stops around where they can charge.
How many chargers should a restaurant start with?
Most independent restaurants start with one wallbox covering two bays, then add more once they see how often the bays are used. Running conduit for future bays during the first installation keeps later additions cheaper.
Related EV Charging Solutions.
Give Diners a Reason to Stay for Dessert.
Tell us your format, supply and number of bays. We will suggest the charger mix and bay layout for your restaurant, whether it is a single café or a multi-site chain.