A Guide to Commercial EV Charging Costs
- elliebrear
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
As the UK gears up for its 2035 petrol/diesel ban, businesses of all sizes are investing in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. But what does installation truly cost? And what variables can raise or lower the price? Let’s break it down for businesses, property developers, councils, and sustainability leads.
How much does a commercial electric car charger installation cost in the UK?
Broadly speaking, a basic commercial electric vehicle (EV) charger costs around £1,500-2,000 per socket in the UK. However, it’s important to note that the total expense of installing a commercial EV charging solution can go beyond this base figure, dependant on a number of factors, including but not limited to customer-specific requirements, property types and the type of charger.
More sophisticated or higher specification EV charging stations could range from £2,000 up to four-figure valuations.
Key Factors Impacting Commercial EV Charger Installation Costs
Commercial charging speed:
It’s worth noting that electric vehicle chargers offer a range of charging speeds, each with its own charging rate. Firstly, slow charging at 3kW. Secondly, fast charging at 7kW or 22kW AC, and lastly rapid/ultra-rapid charging at speeds of up to 150kW DC. The selection of the appropriate charging speed depends on the specific requirements of the company but will ultimately affect the installation cost.
Commercial EV charger choice:
What’s more, different manufacturers also factor into the equation of a commercial installation, with some EV chargers offering more advanced smart features, such as RFID card capabilities, LCD screen displays, remote monitoring and load balancing capabilities. Generally speaking, cleaner, sleeker aesthetics, beyond their no-frills counterparts will elevate costs.
Number of commercial electric vehicle chargers:
Typically, the total cost of your installation will increase as you add more EV charging points. But, the number of commercial EV chargers required ultimately depends on the specific needs of your business. In some instances, installing multiple units could yield economies of scale on civils and grid works.
Electricity supply:
Most commercial properties will have a three-phase electricity supply in place. However, if you’re a smaller business, such as a B&B or an independent shop, your property may have a single-phase electricity supply. If this is the case, you would need to upgrade your supply to be able to handle charging rates of above 22kW, or you’d be limited to a 7kW EV charger. Upgrading single‑phase to three‑phase supply, new distribution boards or transformers will likely reward cost efficiencies and facilitate improved charging conditions.
Infrastructure complexity:
Groundworks, cabling, labour, and materials all impact commercial electric vehicle installation costs. Similarly, if the installation requires multiple days of work and involves a team of engineers, the expenses will likely increase. Trenching, ducting, foundation work and possible surface reinstatement should be factored in.
Commercial back-office systems:
Simply put, back-office systems are how companies manage the units and control the billing. Ultimately the costs vary from system to system, with some forgoing the initial upfront fee but then incurring ongoing subscription fees and/or transaction fees.
However, it’s important to note that if you want a more advanced billing solution, i.e., if you’re going to set different tariffs for different users, you will require a more advanced billing solution that will likely require an initial cost and or rolling payments.
Maintenance & Support Costs
Software updates, periodic inspections, insurance and tariff management should be included in total cost of ownership
Tips to Reduce EV Charging Costs
Site survey and load assessment to minimise unnecessary civil works.
Choose right-size chargers: don’t over-invest in ultra-rapid if not needed.
Leverage grants early: planning and installation adjustments may affect eligibility.
Use smart charging to shift load off-peak and reduce electricity costs.
Consider phased deployment: start small, scale later as demand grows.
Bundle maintenance and warranty packages into tender proposals.
EV Charging Costs by Sector
Office or staff car parks: typically 7kW–22kW AC chargers for employee top ups. Lower infrastructure upgrade needs, fewer rapid units.
Retail, leisure or hospitality sites: combination of fast (long dwell) and rapid (for quick turnaround). More complex installations, signage, and payment systems.
Fleet depots or public hubs: multiple rapid chargers 50–150 kW with heavy grid load, energy management, potentially battery storage and solar integration = significantly higher capital cost.
Projected Return on Investment (ROI)
Even a single charger used by one employee per working day could generate circa £200** profit annually after electrical/data fees, delivering payback in about six years. With two users per day the ROI drops to under three years
**Profit projections depend on variable factors such as electricity tariffs, pricing models (per kWh or per minute), grid rates, and local demand.
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