When it comes to managing your EV charging stations, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Your choice will depend on your goals, budget, and how you want to engage with your customers. Here are the most common methods used by retail locations to manage their EV charging setups:
Note: Be creative! The best solution for your business might be something entirely new.
1) Charging by kWh
Charging based on kilowatt hours (kWh) is a straightforward way to recover costs. Drivers pay for the energy they use, which helps offset the expenses of running your charging stations.
Example:
Set price—$0.30/kWh
30kWh x $0.30/kWh = $9.00
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
|
- Simple for both users and hosts
- Directly covers energy costs
|
- Doesn’t prevent “camping†at chargers
- Not suitable in areas where energy resale is restricted
|
Â
2) Charging by Time
Charging by time encourages users to move their cars once they're done. This method charges based on how long a vehicle is plugged in, helping you maximize station availability.
Example:
Set price—$2.25/hour
30kWh charge (at 7.4kW output) = ~4 hours
4 hours x $2.25/hour = $9.00
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
|
- Legal in all regions
- Discourages users from staying too long
|
- Favors faster-charging vehicles |
3) Combo Pricing (kWh + Time)
This model combines kWh and time-based pricing. It ensures that users pay for both the energy they consume and the time they occupy a charger, promoting fairness and efficiency.
Example:
Set price—$0.15/kWh & $1.15/hour
(30kWh x $0.15/kWh) + (4 hours x $1.15/hour) = $9.10
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
|
- Fair billing for users
- Deters users from staying too long
|
- Complex pricing setup
- Not suitable in all markets
- May favor faster-charging vehicles
|
4) Flat Rate
A flat rate is simple and easy to implement. Users pay the same fee regardless of how much energy they use or how long they stay. This method is great for transparency and simplicity.
Example:
Set price—$9.00 per charge
No math—always $9.00
Best for: Networked stations, RFID-only systems, and Plug ‘n Charge options.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
|
- Easy to manage
- Transparent pricing
- No bias toward fast-charging vehicles
|
- Doesn’t discourage users from staying too long
- Not always fair for energy usage
- Fewer smart features available
|
5) Free Charging
Offering free charging is an excellent way to attract EV drivers without asking for anything in return. While it doesn’t generate revenue, it builds goodwill and increases foot traffic.
Example:
Set price—FREE!
No math—It’s free!!
Best for: All configurations including networked, RFID-only, and Plug ‘n Charge systems.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
|
- Popular with EV drivers
- Lower operational costs
|
- No revenue generated
- Fewer smart charging features
|
Whether you choose to charge by kWh, time, a flat rate, or offer free charging, the goal is to provide value to your customers while managing your resources efficiently. Consider what works best for your business and your customers’ needs.
|
Learn everything you need to know about EV charging
Download our free ebook to discover how EV charging can set your business apart, boost revenue, and prepare your location for the future of transportation.
 hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(3950862, 'a4dca3e6-a0d5-459e-b696-8dffdc590b7d', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"});
|