How commuter car parks can drive the future of electric vehicle adoption

EV users typically charge their cars at home during peak power grid hours (from 6pm to 10pm), consequently missing out on the benefits of using home solar grids during the day when their cars are parked at work or a transport commuter car park. Providing EV users access to EV chargers in commuter car parks can shift the load on the grid to off-peak hours while vehicle owners are at work, optimising power distribution across the network.

EV charging spaces enhance the value of car parks, attracting EV users who appreciate the added convenience. Installing solar power systems at commuter car parks can also create additional revenue streams by selling solar-generated electricity to EV users and excess energy back to the grid.

Installing more EV chargers in car parks can create a ripple effect in reducing carbon emissions across the transport network and vast geographical areas. Making EV charging options more publicly available can alleviate range anxiety, which is a key hurdle in getting more people to switch to EVs. Car parks with solar-powered EV chargers also promote the uptake of renewable energy. Furthermore, EV-friendly park-and-ride facilities and commuter car parking can encourage the use of public transport, further supporting cleaner energy and reducing vehicle-related emissions.

Assess if the car park can regularly supply the required amount of energy for charging multiple EVs at once. Consultation with local energy authorities should be the first step.

The site should have a dedicated transformer with sufficient spare capacity, or the ability to upgrade. A smart charger system with load management is also crucial for efficient energy distribution.

While the focus is to encourage EV adoption, it’s practical to understand the current and potential number of EV owners in an area before choosing a site. Vehicle registration data, market research and community surveys can help identify current and future trends. Also consider the demographics and preferences of target customers, such as income, travel patterns, environmental or sustainability awareness.

Car parks that are close to multi-purpose facilities such as event venues and retail precincts are ideal for EV charging. These car parks can serve EV owners from different regions and backgrounds who are looking for a place to charge while they visit or work in the area. Additionally, the differing demands for daytime commuters and night-time or weekend eventgoers means these car parks can increase the utilisation of charging infrastructure without overloading capacity. 

Not all car park users drive EVs and not all EVs need daily charging, so the number of charging bays should match the demand. Installing too many or too few chargers could lead to inefficiency, waste and customer dissatisfaction. It’s also important to consider the space and accessibility requirements for the chargers, including location, orientation and signage of the charging bays.

Larger car parks can support more charging bays efficiently, allowing installation and maintenance costs to be spread over a larger number of chargers.

EV charging hazards can pose serious risks to customers, staff and property, so car parks must meet the correct fire safety standards for EV charging. EV charging facilities must be designed with sufficient fire separation from essential infrastructure and existing occupant buildings, while having adequate fire hydrant coverage. Early detection and electrical supply disconnection are crucial for preventing EV fires.

Though it’s usually more cost-effective to build commuter car parks in flood-prone zones due to their low level of risk, prioritising less flood-prone car parks can avoid the safety and cost issues from flood-damaged EV charging infrastructure.

Conduct feasibility studies on prime car park candidates for EV charging installations, considering the complexity, capital costs and time required for upgrades. Collaborate with local electrical network providers to assess the technical and financial viability of any project.

Attracting EV owners to charge at car parks instead of at home requires a financially viable pricing model. One approach could be to offer cheaper electricity rates compared to home tariffs with a time-based component. A valet service could even transfer EVs from charging bays to standard parking spaces once they’ve fully charged, accommodating more long-term parkers throughout the day.