The Electric Vehicle Charger Installation Process

Insights from Service Providers and Site Hosts

Special thanks to Brian Jones, Derek Ichien, Andy Hoskinson, and Daniel Flores

Amy Lastuka, PhD Research Analyst

November 19, 2019

• The California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) provides rebates for electric vehicle chargers installed at multi-unit dwellings, workplaces, and public locations

• The Center for Sustainable Energy implements CALeVIP on behalf of the California Energy Commission

Introduction

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More publicly located chargers are needed to support California’s goal of 5M ZEVs on the road

The electric vehicle infrastructure market is changing rapidly and awareness is still very low

Site hosts (property managers) have limited time to research a technology that is new to them

Problem

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Current Solution

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Objectives and Methods

• How can we make this tool more useful for potential site hosts?

Research Question

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8

Category Number

Site Hosts5

Electric Vehicle Service Providers (EVSPs)9

Total 14

Interviews

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Findings

CEO bought a Tesla Desire to add EVs to fleet

Aligns with values Tenants want EV charging

Site Host Motivations

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• Previous interaction with contractor

• Found EV charger incentive program online

• Searched on Amazon -contacted equipment manufacturer

How Site Hosts Found Information

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LocationDesired location may not be the least expensive option

Equipment typeNetworked or non-networked

Number of chargersSite hosts need to estimate demand

Decision Points

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COMMONBARRIERS

Site hosts may expect to make more money off

chargers than is realistic

Revenue expectations

Trenching, electrical upgrades, networking

fees

Unexpected costs

Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements can be seen as onerous

Codes and permitting

Many EVSPs prefer to use their own network of contractors

Inexperienced contractors

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Recommendations

Walk-through experience

• E.g. does the user need a networked solution?

Full DirectorySeries of questions aimed at narrowing down what the user needs

Similar to current tool, user can browse through each category

Provide Different Levels of Support

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• E.g. user already has a contractor, looking for equipment

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Key Takeaways

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Focus educational materials on costs rather than technical support

Awareness of EVI is still low - more outreach is

needed

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- EV charging contractor

“Many businesses are not aware of the market evolving”

Thank You

TELEPHONEHEADQUARTERS

3980 Sherman StreetSuite 170

San Diego, CA 92110

858-244-1177

EnergyCenter.org

Contact Us

AMY LASTUKA

amy.lastuka@energycenter.org

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