EV Charging at Home & Work
Workplace & Commercial EV Charging Planning
Commercial charging projects succeed or fail on early planning: how many ports, at what power, served by what capacity, and who pays for make-ready work.
Updated 2026-10-15
Right-size the ports
Workplace and multifamily sites usually do well with Level 2 at 6–11 kW per port, since vehicles dwell for hours. DC fast charging fits retail, fleet turnaround, and highway sites. Many owners install conduit and capacity for future ports now and energize them later.
Capacity and utility
Questions to answer early:
- Existing service capacity and transformer headroom
- Utility make-ready programs that fund infrastructure
- Load management across ports to avoid demand charges
- Networked vs non-networked chargers and payment
Layout and compliance
Plan accessible spaces and routes, bollards or wheel stops, cable management, lighting, and signage. Check local building codes for EV-ready requirements on new construction, which increasingly mandate a share of EV-capable spaces.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial Level 2 port cost?
Installed costs vary widely with trenching and capacity, but planning ranges of several thousand dollars per Level 2 port are common, with DC fast chargers costing far more including utility upgrades.
Should we charge drivers?
Many workplaces offer free or low-cost charging as a benefit; retail and multifamily sites often charge per kWh or per hour through a network provider.
Who maintains the chargers?
Networked chargers usually come with service plans. Ask your contractor about uptime commitments and warranty response times.
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This guide is general information, not engineering or legal advice. Electrical codes are adopted and amended locally — consult a licensed electrician and your local building department for your project.