Equip your luxury industry with charging stations

There are several types of charging point for electric vehicles, with different features and functions. There are two categories of charging points: those that are not connected and those that are connected, known as intelligent charging points:  

• Non-connected charging points: these are simple to use, and generally follow the plug and charge protocol. The vehicle that is plugged in charges and the vehicle that is unplugged stops charging.
• Smart charging stations are equipped with advanced functions, such as energy management, billing, reserving charging stations, and connection to mobile applications. They provide optimised management of charging points, particularly for corporate fleets, as they are generally linked to software for managing the fleet of charging points.

The charging points installed by luxury businesses can vary according to their needs and budget. Here are the different types of charging points commonly installed by companies:

1. Normal charging points: these deliver between 3.7 kW and 7.4 kW of power, enabling an electric vehicle to be recharged in just a few hours. They are often installed in private car parks for company fleets, but can also be used for customers or visitors.
2. Accelerated charging stations: these deliver between 22 kW and 43 kW of power, enabling electric vehicles to be charged more quickly than normal stations. They are frequently used for commercial fleets of electric vehicles that need to be recharged quickly.
3. Fast-charging stations: these deliver between 50 kW and 350 kW of power, enabling an electric vehicle to be recharged in less than an hour. They are usually installed along main roads for long journeys.

These examples are not exhaustive, and there are many other options for charging points for businesses. It's important for businesses to choose the charging points that are best suited to their needs, depending on the number of electric vehicles, distances travelled, charging times, etc.

In France, the obligation to install charging stations in existing buildings depends on a number of factors, including the size of the building and its use. Here's a summary of the main requirements:

• For tertiary buildings (offices, shops, etc.), it is compulsory to provide infrastructure for electric vehicles. This means that one recharging point must be installed for every 10 parking spaces in buildings for which planning permission was applied for between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2017 (Code de la construction et de l'habitation - Article R111-14-3). 
• For collective residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces, it is compulsory to provide infrastructure for electric vehicles, i.e. to install a minimum of one charging point for every 10 parking spaces.

These obligations were introduced by the Loi d'Orientation des Mobilités, known as the LOM Act in 2018 and are due to expire in 2025.

In France, corporate charging points are governed by a number of regulatory frameworks. The main regulations applicable are : 

1. The law on the energy transition for green growth (LTECV) of 17 August 2015, which provides for the installation of charging points for electric vehicles in new commercial buildings or those undergoing major renovation work.
2. The Mobility Orientation Act (LOM) of 24 December 2019, which strengthens employers' obligations in terms of sustainable mobility, particularly in terms of electric charging stations.
3. Decree 2017-26 of 12 January 2017 on charging infrastructure for electric vehicles defines the technical standards applicable to charging stations and imposes transparency obligations on station operators.
4. Standard NF C 15-100, which sets out the safety rules for low-voltage electrical installations, including charging points for electric vehicles.

Employers are obliged toto install charging stations for electric vehicles in new commercial buildings or those undergoing major renovation work.

Developers must pre-equip part of the car park of new tertiary buildings used mainly as offices with a recharging point.

Pre-fitting a parking space consists of :

• The installation of conduits for the passage of electrical cables or conduits from the low-voltage main switchboard (TGBT) on at least 10 % of the park spaces (see table below).
• Power supply and safety devices 
• The law stipulates that cable ducts serving parking spaces must have a minimum cross-section of 100 mm.

This obligation is in fact pre-wiring: it does not involve directly supplying charging stations for electric vehicles.

There are a number of advantages to installing charging points in your business, for the company itself, for its employees and for society as a whole. Here are some of the most important benefits:

1. Encouraging electric mobility: by installing charging points for electric vehicles, businesses are helping to encourage electric mobility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Encourage the adoption of electric vehicles: the installation of charging points in companies can encourage employees to adopt electric vehicles by offering them convenient and reliable access to recharging.
3. Improving the company's image: a commitment to electric mobility can improve the company's image among consumers and employees, by positioning it as a company committed to sustainability and the environment.
4. Adding value to premises: charging stations can also add value to company premises by offering an extra service to employees or visitors.
5. Reinforce your company's CSR strategy: installing a charging point on your premises is part of the drive to reduce CO2 emissions and is included in the calculation of your carbon footprint.

In short, the installation of charging points in companies is a virtuous move that contributes to the energy transition while enhancing the company's image and offering practical benefits to employees.

To help you make the transition to a greener future, the French government is providing financial support for the installation of charging points in luxury businesses. In particular, there are : 

• LADVENIR assistance This State aid subsidises the installation of recharging points in companies with car parks open to the public. The public refers to people outside the company, i.e. not customers or suppliers. The Advenir grant reimburses 30 % of the cost of installing a charging point, up to a maximum of €1,000 (excluding VAT) per charging point.
• Support from local authorities: some local authorities offer financial assistance for the installation of charging points in their areas. This assistance can take various forms, such as subsidies or tax exemptions, and is specific to each region.

It is important to note that these grants are subject to specific conditions and eligibility criteria, and that they may change as regulations and public policies evolve. Assistance can often be combined.