Future-proofing your EV charging investments can range from expanding your inventory of chargers to preparing your properties for a massive influx of EVs in a not-too-distant future. Discover how to scale your EV charging business without expensive retrofits by installing EV-capable or EV-ready spaces.
Dipping Your (Organizational) Toe in the EV Waters
If you’re in a leadership role in a company or non-profit organization that’s considering how offering EV charging could benefit your organization, you’re not alone. With a predicted worldwide growth rate of 6.01% from 2025 to 2029, EVs will flood the auto market. Organizations that prepare for this inflow now can realize all the benefits this market will generate.
Those benefits include:
- Local, state, and federal funds: Local utilities, as well as city, state, and federal government agencies, often have programs available to help businesses fund new EV charging infrastructure. They include tax credits, rebates, and grants that can help you lower the cost of installation.
- An additional revenue stream: Whatever your primary business, you can always use some extra dollars in the bank. Even non-profits can pour those additional funds into providing better services for their clients. Having the equipment in place to install chargers prepares your properties for the paying customers who will come your way as more people realize the perks of driving EVs.
- More new customers: Retail, hospitality, or grocery businesses can attract more customers if they install EV chargers. EV drivers enjoy the convenience of charging their cars as they shop, dine, or spend the night.
What If My Business Isn’t Yet Ready to Dive into EV Charging?
Even if you don’t have the funds or personnel to install actual chargers, you can prepare your property for that possibility in the future. Doing so could increase your property value and help you avoid expensive and messy retrofits when you’re ready to branch out into EV charging.
EV-Capable Spaces
One of the best ways to prepare your business to take advantage of EV charging in the future is to make at least some of your parking spots EV-capable. Preparing as many parking spots as possible for EV charging gives you an advantage over competitors who wait until they’re ready to go into full-scale EV charging.
EV-capable spaces provide adequate electrical capacity to charge EVs by installing a panel, dedicated branch circuit, and raceways that can carry electricity to charging spots once you install chargers.
If you wait and do a retrofit to your parking lot, it can cost you as much as 75% more, as a Clean Energy post reports. Post-construction retrofits also tear up your property, making it a hassle for existing customers and driving away new ones. Preparing your lot now can save you from that inconvenience later.
EV-Ready Spaces
EV-ready parking spaces meet all the requirements for EV-capable spaces. However, they also include wiring and a 240-volt outlet or a junction box. With EV-ready spaces, you only need EV chargers to complete the package.
If you have the funding, EV-ready spaces are a superb choice for new multi-family developments. Since residential developments have long-term investment potential, it’s best to have amenities that will cover long-term tenant needs. Should you not be able to cover the costs for charging stations for each unit, having EV-ready spaces is the next best option.
Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) and Similar Options
Many EV charging infrastructure companies offer partnership deals that can take your business beyond EV-ready. With only a little investment and sweat equity, you can enjoy many of the benefits of full EV charging station ownership with none of the hassle.
- Charging-as-a-service allows you to enjoy low EV charging station installation costs for a subscription fee, so you maintain control over your charging stations while avoiding the expense and headaches of installing your own.
- EV charging company-owned stations install charging stations on your property, purchasing all the equipment and handling all the operations and administrative work themselves. You earn a share of the revenue without the hassle of managing the station itself.
- Hybrid-owned stations are an excellent option for businesses that have already upgraded their properties with EV-ready infrastructure. The charging company foots the bill for the chargers, runs the day-to-day operational and administrative tasks, and you receive a share of the revenue.
How Can Existing EV Charging Businesses Scale for a More Profitable Future?
Suppose you’ve already begun leveraging the coming EV revolution with a healthy charging business. In that case, it’s time to think about ways you can scale that business upward to prepare for a more electric future.
Consider More EV-Capable or EV-Ready Infrastructure
Certainly, preparing more sites with either EV-capable or EV-ready infrastructure is a wise option. It’s always better to have the equipment in place so you can scale your investment without costly retrofits.
Expand Your EV Charger Inventory
If you’ve already expanded your infrastructure to include EV-capable or EV-ready equipment, you might consider gradually expanding those sites to include EV chargers as well. Upgrading those spots with the latest EV charging technology could put you well ahead of your competitors as more EV-driving customers arrive on the scene.
As you add, expand, and upgrade, keep safety and long-term efficiency topmost in mind, as PxT Infrastructure Solutions’ Robert Rizzo reminded attendees at the 2025 EV Charging Summit.
EV Charging Safety
As the number of EV drivers on America’s roads increases, safety becomes even more paramount for EV charging stations. Drivers new to EVs might need instructions on basic EV charging safety protocols. New charging stations, too, should train their employees in safety and fire prevention to head off potential disasters.
Additionally, as hydrogen fuel cell-powered EVs enter the mainstream, new safety measures come into play. To ensure customer and employee safety, inspect equipment often and provide extensive training in fueling such vehicles.
Long-Term Efficiency
Having the latest EV charging technology is just the start. Avoiding downtime and point-of-sale glitches, too, can keep your customers happy over the long haul.
Providing customers with other amenities to make the most of their time while their cars charge is essential to set your stations apart from your competitors’ offerings. Restrooms are a must. A snack bar, free wireless service, and outlets to charge phones and other devices are also welcome conveniences.
Using a data-driven approach to guide decisions will help you streamline your current operations and help you forge a strategy for future expansions. Selecting a software provider that incorporates AI algorithms gives you the ability to leverage your data to make decisions and perform several critical tasks, such as:
- Determining when your chargers will likely need maintenance
- Changing your prices and usage availability as the grid fluctuates
- Analyzing customer insights and other conditions to provide your customers with personalized service
Install Auxiliary Infrastructure for Backup Power
As EV usage grows, some areas might experience grid insufficiencies until utility companies strengthen their capacity for energy generation. Fortifying your properties with renewable energy sources and battery storage can serve as a backup during outages or peak usage times.
When you add new charging stations to your inventory, consider purchasing ones that accommodate bidirectional charging. You can use them to feed power back into the grid during peak usage hours to collect passive income and fund at least part of the expenses of purchasing new chargers.
Your customers, too, will appreciate bidirectional charging since it enables them to exchange some of their cars’ energy with the grid for a few extra dollars. That extra bit of money in their pockets can pay off in goodwill and more positive reviews for your business.
Keep Up with the Latest Technology
As new EV technologies come into play, you can future-proof your stations by installing fueling options for those vehicles as well. Hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars, for instance, are not yet common nationwide. But as dealers in your area begin to offer them, install at least one charging station to service them as well.
Furthermore, as more medium- and heavy-duty fleets begin to convert to electric vehicles, you should consider expanding your charging station inventory with chargers geared to their needs. That move will position you as the number-one choice for fleets to charge their vehicles.
Partner with Local Utilities and Car Dealers to Drive EV Adoption
Many utilities provide perks to customers who purchase EVs. After all, they’ll use more electricity – a bump upward in the bottom line for the utility. Partnering with them to provide new EV buyers with free EV charging for a month or two can help sweeten the pot, making utility customers more likely to purchase an EV.
Car dealers who sell EVs as well as gas- and diesel-powered vehicles might also appreciate an offer to provide new EV buyers with a coupon for some free – or discounted – charging sessions. That offer can help dealers move their EV inventory while positioning you as the local choice in EV charging.
Meet with the EV Charging Industry’s Finest Minds at the EV Charging Summit
One of the best ways to prepare your company for an electric future is to keep up with the latest developments in the EV charging industry. There’s one place where many of the finest minds in the charging world come together to share their knowledge – an EV Charging Summit event.
Reserve your spot – and prepare yourself and your team for a learning experience like nothing you’ve experienced before. Register for the next EV Charging Summit today!
