Adding EV charging to an existing car park

Start with power, not the chargers

The single biggest constraint is the grid connection. Before choosing hardware, establish how much spare capacity the incoming supply has, what an upgrade would cost and how long the network operator needs to deliver it.

Load management lets you run more bays from the same supply by sharing available power dynamically, which is often cheaper than a full connection upgrade.

• Confirm spare capacity on the existing supply before sizing anything
• Get an early indication of upgrade cost and lead time from the network operator
• Consider dynamic load balancing to stretch the connection you already have

Siting and access rules

Put chargers where cabling runs are short and where drivers can find them, ideally near entrances or lift cores rather than the far corner. Reserve the bays with clear markings and signage so they are used for charging, not general parking.

Decide who may use them — public, tenants, staff or permit holders — and enforce it through your parking rules rather than trust alone.

• Site near power sources to cut trenching and cable cost
• Mark bays clearly so they stay reserved for charging
• Set access by user group and enforce it through the same permit system

Funding and joined-up billing

Grants, network schemes and supplier finance can offset the upfront spend, so map the options before you commit capital. Whatever the funding route, the charging session and the parking session should meet in one place.

When charging bays are managed on the same platform as the rest of the site, occupancy, payment and income data sit together — and idle fees or time limits become straightforward to apply.