Why Small Businesses Should Invest In EV Charging Stations ASAP
Did you know that small businesses installing qualified, publicly accessible EVSE are eligible for rebates up to $5,000 per Level 2 EVSE and up to $70,000 per DC Fast EVSE installed? With EV charging becoming the norm in many areas of the country, Matick Construction has put together the top 5 reasons you should consider installing EV Charging stations in your parking lot.
State Incentives
There are many incentives to install a charging station at your business. We have included some great sources of information to understand what your company might qualify for. For ALL Incentives in Michigan the AFDC provides a very comprehensive breakdown of what is available in MI. Specific to the state of Michigan, the Charge Up Michigan Program offers 33.3 percent of the total cost or a direct match of the amount the electric utility is paying, up to $70,000. Keep in mind, the “Charge Up Michigan Program” is a reimbursement program.
Additional State Incentives
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Grant Program
EV Charger Funding Opportunities
Point of Contact
Julie Staveland
State Energy Program Specialist
StavelandJ@michigan.gov
Utility Incentives
Consumer Energy - Commercial customers installing qualified, publicly accessible EVSE are eligible for rebates up to $5,000 per Level 2 EVSE and up to $70,000 per DC Fast EVSE installed.
DTE Energy - DTE Energy offers a $500 rebate for the installation of a Level 2 EVSE to qualified residential customers that purchase or lease a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) and enroll in the PEV Charging Rates. Check out the DTE Energy Charging Forward website for more information.
Employee Incentives
Today’s consumers are increasingly interested in the reputation of the companies they buy from in this day and age. Forbes found that 87% of customers have an increasingly positive image of businesses that support environmental issues. They also found that 88% of buyers remain loyal to eco-conscious businesses compared to their competitors which don’t take an eco-conscience approach. This is certainly the situation for those born after 1980, shows a recent demographic study. Installing EV Chargers at your business will not only boost your brand image, increasing customer loyalty, and bringing in new customers, especially as more and more people become EV owners. It will also help to attract and retain employees who, like consumers, are increasingly concerned with environmental and social issues. By having EV chargers, your business is also encouraging green behaviors among employees and customers. According to a survey conducted by the US Department of Energy, employees are 20 times more likely to buy an electric vehicle if their employers offer free charging at work. Further, going electric will also give you the satisfaction of doing something good for the environment!
Boost Customer Traffic
Installing EV charging stations at your business will grow your businesses visibility and attract new clients. Websites such as Google Maps, Zapmap and Open Charge Map enable EV drivers to plan routes, find the nearest charging station, and save their favorite EV charging locations. Customer and employees can add details about the your business and charging station, give reviews based on their experience, and encourage others to check out your business. Applications like this are citations to increase your relevancy in search engines, increase your domain authority, and rank your location higher than your competitors in local searches. Lastly, If you receive a good review, you will be able to interact with first-time chargers to hopefully get them to return in the future.
Future Proof Now Before Incentives End
As mentioned in our State/Utility EV incentives guide above, there is an abundance of incentives to go green today. Many cities and states are attempting to be significantly more green by 2030. The gas to electric transition is happening. Combine this with the Advancements in battery technology, this shift is set to be in full swing in the next five years. There are millions of EV’s on the road today and it’s estimated that that number will rise to 125 million by 2030. If your business wants to capitalize on the many benefits noted in this article and stay competitive, consider investing in EV charging infrastructure before the incentives are gone.