Workplace EV Charging: Eight Hours Is All the Time You Need.
Employees park for a full working day, so slow AC charging is usually enough. The real questions are how many bays to equip, who pays and how to share bays fairly.
Match Chargers to How People Park.
| Who | Typical stay | What a charger adds | What fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office staff | 8–9 h | Up to about 56 kWh on 7 kW AC, more than most daily commutes use | 7 kW AC; faster chargers add cost without benefit |
| Shift workers | 8–12 h, around the clock | A full shift on 7–11 kW AC | AC bays shared across shifts |
| Hybrid workers | 2–3 days a week | Enough for the week’s commutes on 7 kW AC | Shared bays with a booking system |
| Visitors and clients | 1–2 h | About 60–120 km on 11 kW AC | A few faster AC bays near reception |
| Company fleet and pool cars | Overnight or between trips | A full charge overnight on AC | AC overnight, a compact DC charger for quick turnarounds |
Estimates assume about 18 kWh per 100 km.
How Fast Do Workplace Chargers Need to Be?
Employees park for six to nine hours, so the goal is enough range for the trip home, not the fastest possible charge.
| Charging Power | Range Added per Hour | Time to Add 100 km (62 mi) | Good Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.4 kW ACSingle-phase wallbox | ≈ 41 km / 25 mi | ≈ 2.4 h | Employee bays in Europe, the UK and Australia |
| 9.6 kW Level 2North America, 40 A plug-in | ≈ 53 km / 33 mi | ≈ 1.9 h | Bays wired with NEMA 14-50 receptacles |
| 11 kW ACThree-phase wallbox | ≈ 61 km / 38 mi | ≈ 1.6 h | Employee and fleet bays in Europe |
| 11.5 kW Level 2North America, 48 A hardwired | ≈ 64 km / 40 mi | ≈ 1.6 h | Employee and fleet bays in North America |
| 22 kW ACThree-phase wallbox | ≈ 122 km / 76 mi* | ≈ 49 min* | Fleet vehicles that accept 22 kW AC |
Estimates assume average consumption of 18 kWh per 100 km (about 3.5 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 vehicle'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.
When There Are More EVs Than Bays.
Book or rotate bays
A simple booking or rotation rota stops the same early arrivals taking every charging bay.
Move-on reminders
App notifications when charging ends let colleagues swap cars during the day.
Socket wallboxes
Type 2 socket wallboxes let staff use their own cables, so a damaged cable is never left in the bay.
Give priority where it matters
Some workplaces prioritise staff with long commutes or no charging at home. Agree the rules before launch.
Plan for growth
EV numbers among staff rise every year. Lay ducting to extra bays during the first installation.
Keep visitor bays separate
A few faster bays near reception, kept free of staff cars, make a good impression on clients.
Free Perk or Paid Charging?
Free employee benefit
Simple and popular. Tax treatment of free workplace charging differs by country, so check local rules.
Employees pay per kWh
Staff pay through the app at a set price. Fair when only some staff drive EVs.
Fleet charging on the company
Fleet and pool cars are billed to the company with separate RFID cards, so costs stay apart from staff charging.
Usage reporting
Every session is logged in kWh, which helps with cost allocation and sustainability reporting.
Chargers That Fit Workplaces.
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 staff bays 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 staff bays on a three-phase supply.
EV-ACT3208PE socket wallbox
- Up to 22 kW, 6–32 A, three-phase
- Type 2 socket: drivers use their own cable
- Over-current, over-temperature and control-pilot fault protection
- IP56
Best for staff who bring their own cable.
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 fleet and pool cars that turn around quickly.
EV-ACT3204U / EV-ACT3204T
- 32 A, 7.68 kW, 240 V
- J1772 (U) or NACS (T), 25 ft cable
- NEMA 14-50 plug
- App and plug-and-charge start
Best for staff bays in the US and Canada.
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 visitor and fleet bays in North America.
Final circuit sizing and permits must follow your local electrical code and be confirmed by a licensed electrician.
Rules to Check Before You Install.
Private chargers for residents, employees or company vehicles face fewer payment rules than public ones, but safety, grid and smart-charging rules still apply. If members of the public can use them, public-charger payment rules apply too.
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, usually under an electrical permit
- Connectors: SAE J1772 or NACS (SAE J3400)
- In California, renters and condo owners have a legal right to request a charger (Civil Code 1947.6 and 4745), subject to conditions
European Union
- CE marking, with chargers built to IEC 61851
- Connector: Type 2
- In Germany, chargers up to 11 kW must be registered with the grid operator, and chargers above 11 kW need its approval before installation
- The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires charging points and pre-cabling in new and majorly renovated buildings with car parks, as transposed by each country
United Kingdom
- UKCA or CE marking
- Connector: Type 2
- Home and workplace chargers sold in Great Britain must meet the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, including smart functionality, default off-peak charging hours and a randomised start delay
- Installation by a qualified electrician to BS 7671, with the local network operator notified
Free Perk or Paid Benefit?
Workplace charging can be a benefit, a cost-recovery service or fleet infrastructure. Many companies combine all three.
Free Employee Perk
Best for: Attracting and retaining staff, and supporting sustainability goals.
How it works: Employees charge for free with RFID cards or the app, often with a session time limit.
Watch out for: Tax treatment. Some countries treat free workplace charging as a taxable benefit and others exempt it, so check local rules.
Cost Recovery
Best for: Larger sites where electricity costs add up.
How it works: Employees pay per kWh at or near cost through the app, with usage reports for HR or finance.
Watch out for: Keeping pricing simple and transparent so staff keep using the bays.
Fleet First
Best for: Companies running pool cars or service vehicles.
How it works: Fleet vehicles get priority access lists and overnight charging, and employees use the remaining bays by day.
Watch out for: Making sure fleet vehicles are plugged in before the end of each shift.
Send Us These 6 Details for a Tailored Plan.
This helps our engineers recommend the right configuration for your site faster.
Workplace EV Charging — Frequently Asked Questions.
Is 7 kW enough for workplace charging?
For most staff, yes. A 7 kW charger delivers up to about 56 kWh over an eight-hour day, more than most daily commutes use. Faster chargers mainly help visitors and fleet vehicles.
How many chargers should we install?
Start with enough bays for current EV drivers plus some headroom, and lay ducting for more. Session data will show when bays are regularly full.
Should employees pay for charging?
Some companies offer it free as a benefit, others charge per kWh through the app. Check how free workplace charging is taxed in your country before deciding.
How do we share bays fairly?
Use a booking or rotation system, send app alerts when charging ends, and ask drivers to move their car once full.
Can visitors use the chargers?
Yes. Keep a few faster bays near reception for visitors and set their access and price separately from staff.
Can we report charging energy for sustainability goals?
Yes. Every session is logged in kWh by charger and by user, which you can export for cost allocation and carbon reporting.
Equip Your Workplace For Fleet & Staff Growth.
Send us your staff numbers, current EV drivers and supply rating. We will suggest how many bays to start with and how to share them fairly.