Why ECs, EPCs, and Commercial Solar Companies Should Get into the EV Charging Business… and how everyone can benefit!

Why ECs, EPCs, and Commercial Solar Companies Should Get into the EV Charging Business… and how everyone can benefit! 

Electrical contracting (EC), engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), and commercial solar companies (hereafter collectively referred to as “installers”) play a critical role in EV (electric vehicle) charging deployments, often providing the installation portion of a project in partnership with other hardware, software, and/or investment organizations.  

While the continued expansion of EV charging infrastructure itself provides a steady pipeline of work, some installers see the increasing demand for chargers, and are looking to get more skin in the game, taking on the role of CPO (charge point operator).  Not only do they keep (and likely expand) the number of installation projects to pursue, they can also now benefit from the ongoing revenue collected from EV drivers using their chargers. 

The Funding Landscape 

While discourse of EV funding at the federal level is volatile, many utilities, state agencies, and other organizations across the country offer incredibly attractive financial incentives for the various expenses associated with charger deployments.  Notably, for installers, make-ready funding can reduce or completely cover the costs associated with preparing a site for chargers and the installation itself.  This particular funding supports equipment and labor associated with preparing a site for charging installation, including things like panel upgrades, transformers, switchgear, etc.  For areas with such programs, this opens the opportunity for installers to partner with EV charging companies in a new way. 

The Business Model 

If installers are able to provide the construction aspect of a charger deployment project for little or no cost because of make-ready funding, then the only remaining gaps are the hardware and software products themselves.  This is where Everged comes in – as an integrated renewable energy solutions provider, they are able to contribute the hardware and software through various business models to the installer and at no cost to the charging site host.  Their costs are covered through some combination of incentives, credits, and ongoing charging revenue from EV drivers.  This partnership creates a clear, fast, and lucrative path to accelerate the expansion of critical infrastructure. 

Here is a closer look at available business models: 

• CapEx Purchase: If the installer wants to fully own the chargers, their downstream revenue, and function as the CPO, then they can purchase the hardware from Everged.  Post-installation, the only ongoing cost is the network access fee to manage the performance of the chargers via Everged’s world-class platform. 

• Hardware Financing: For installers that would like to own and operate the EV chargers but are not able to purchase the equipment upfront, Everged offers financing options at no cost with a revenue-split while payments are being made.  With immediate level 2 and DCFC inventory available, this is a fast path to secure chargers. 

• Everged Owned and Operated: Even if an installer does not want to own and operate the chargers, they can still leverage these funding mechanisms to grow their business.  In this scenario, the installer provides their services at no cost to Everged, with those expenses covered by make-ready funding and potential downstream revenue-split, if-needed.  Everged then provides the hardware and software and acts as the CPO, managing the performance of the chargers post-installation onward.  

Regardless of the option, the Everged Zero Cost Deployment program aligns complementary capabilities with real financial value, benefiting all stakeholders.  

Benefits for All Stakeholders 

The Zero Cost Deployment program not only removes common hurdles for EV charging deployments, but it also provides significant benefits to all stakeholders. 

Installer: 

• Expands EV charging installation business via new customers 

• Upsells to portfolio of existing commercial customers 

• Adds a net new revenue stream to their business 

• Smooths cash flow projections by now having recurring revenue 

• Access to leading level 2 and DCFC chargers and industry-leading charger management software through a single partner 

Charging Site Host: 

• Gets a valuable new amenity at no cost 

• Leverages charging as a marketing tool to increase customer acquisition, spend per visit, and ongoing loyalty 

• Strengthens brand equity through material sustainability actions 

• Enjoys no operational overhead or responsibilities for charger performance 

EV Driver: 

• Has an expanded charging network to leverage and reduce range anxiety 

• Enjoys optimal charging experience on a network designed for performance  

By aligning ongoing charger performance with revenue generation, the appropriate stakeholders who are best equipped to maintain functionality are financially motivated to do so.  Performance-specific SLAs (service level agreements) can be incorporated as part of the revenue-sharing arrangement.  This is an intentional aspect of the Zero Cost Deployment program designed to address frequent and frustrating experiences for both site hosts and drivers when chargers under-perform.  

A Simple Process 

Installers often have a healthy portfolio of existing commercial customers that would be ideal candidates for EV charging, such as multi-unit dwellings, retail centers, hospitality businesses, entertainment destinations, and more.  They also can leverage this new offering to pursue potential customers that might otherwise not be viable targets.  Either way, they are well-positioned to identify strong charging site host candidates. 

As installers identify sites to pursue, they just need to complete a simple form providing basic information via the Zero Cost Deployment webpage.  Once a form is submitted, the Everged team will contact the installer, review the information, and together decide what business model option works best for each deployment. Everged can also assist with any discussions and/or contractual action items between the installer and the site host.   

Ideal Charging Site Hosts 

The need for more reliable EV charging infrastructure is so ubiquitous, it could argued that virtually any business is an ideal site host candidate.  The most common use cases include: 

• Retail outlets and restaurants  

• Hotels and hospitality locations 

• Entertainment destinations and venues 

• Multi-unit dwellings, apartments, and condos 

• Commercial real estate and property development 

• Office buildings and hospitals 

• Municipal buildings, parks, and destinations (where third-party charger ownership is allowed) 

To learn more about the Zero Cost Deployment program or to submit a site for evaluation, please visit the Zero Cost Deployment webpage.