Connected charging station: definition
New technologies are constantly evolving and making their way into charging stations. These include connected charging stations.
Thanks to the Internet, this type of kiosk is connected to a backend, a management system. What's more, they can be easily controlled remotely via smartphone. So the user or even the manager of the kiosks will have a number of options, such as :
- schedule recharge sessions,
- have real-time information on terminals and electric vehicles electric vehicles connected,
- view terminal usage and consumption.
This type of terminal is very useful if you have a fleet of electric vehicles or if you live in a single-family home.
Connected bollards vs. smart bollards: what's the difference?
Can you tell the difference between a connected charging station and a smart charging station? These two types of charging station are, in fact, opposites. Here's why.
Unlike the connected charging point, the smart charging station is much more technologically advancedtechnology, i.e. it has analysis, charge optimization and interaction with other infrastructures, such as smart grids or building smart grids or building energy management systems.
The intelligent charging station will be able to deliver the required charging power according to several parameters:
- global electricity demand,
- the availability of renewable energy,
- the price of electrical energy,
- how these terminals are used.
The information gathered by this type of terminal will enable users to optimize their charging at lower cost.
Why should your company have connected charging stations?
As previously mentioned, the LOM law (Loi d'Orientation des Mobilités) encourages the electrification of businesses in France. For electric vehicles to be as optimal as possible, this means equipping them with high-performance charging stations.
Here are some of the advantages of installing connected charging stations:
Manage remote charging stations
Remote management of charging stations is a real advantage. With Internet access and an online platform, you can :
- program your charging stations: for example, you can choose when you want to charge your vehicles, and select the sessions and charging mode. And all from a distance,
- get information on your bollards in real timeFor example, you can see how long your bollards have been in use, or how much energy they have consumed,
- control several terminals from the same interface even for multi-site operations.
Save time
The use of connected charging stations is a real time-saver. With charging stations that can be easily programmed remotelyyou can schedule charging sessions or make a charging point available for use or not. What's more, manual monitoring of charging stations is no longer necessary.
In this way, the connected terminal can save your users time, since they'll be totally autonomous in their use, saving you time as a company.
Generate new income
In general terms, a charging station installed in a company generates additional income. You can optimize revenues by charging users for the electricity they consume at 3 different rates (free, partial or full), or by offering charging services to the public.
What's more, by setting up a cost-plus or premium tariff, you can achieve a faster return on investment. This can help offset the cost of installing and maintaining thecharging infrastructure.
Complying with the LOM law
Connected charging stations also comply with the French LOM law (Loi d'Orientation Mobilité). This law was created to simplify mobility for the French by taking into account environmental issues, in particular by achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030.
So, by opting for a recharging station, you're anticipating future standards and giving your company a good image with your employees and any outsiders who use your stations (if they're open to the public).
What's more, when it comes to electrifying your company, there are obligations to be taken into account for new and existing buildings.
- For new or renovated buildings mainly for industrial or tertiary use, you are required to pre-equip part of their parking lots with charging stations for your employees' electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles,
- For existing existing buildingsFor existing buildings, pre-equipment obligations were established in 2015. Existing buildings are distinguished according to the date of building permit application (before January 1, 2012 and between January 1, 2012 and January 1, 2017).
For both new and existing buildings, pre-equipment includes :
- pre-wiring in new and existing buildings
- electrical installation sizing
- charging station equipment
For more information : On-site charging stations: what does the law say?
Long-term savings
If you have a partially or 100% electricvehicle fleet this gives you access to government subsidies such as :
- exemption from corporate vehicle tax (TVS)
- visit reduction in freeway tolls with an electric car.
What's more, when your fleet is electrified, thecarbon footprint is reduced, and so is your carbon tax. This is something you can include in your CSR reports.
Good to know: from January 2023, the TVS (Company Vehicle Tax) is replaced by two new taxes:
- annual tax on CO2 emissions
- the annual tax on atmospheric pollutant emissions
Payment terms remain unchanged.
Whatever your project, our experts will provide you with tailored offers and personalized support from A to Z.
Boost your company's image
As with all other types of bollards, connected bollards can also be an important element in boosting your company's image. In fact, they give you the satisfaction of acting to protect the environment.
What's more, the installation of connected charging stations shows that you are attentive to the needs of your employees. In fact, for employees with electric vehicles and the latest-generation equipment, connected charging stations are a real plus.
Attract and retain your employees
Having connected charging stations attracts and builds loyalty among your employees. Indeed, providing them with electric vehicles and charging stations shows that you care about their needs, and that you're looking to facilitate their energy transition.
At the same time, you raise their awareness and encourage them to reduce their ecological impact. With connected charging stations, your employees can discover how to use these different elements and adopt these practices at home.
Also read: 5 reasons to install charging stations on your premises
Connected kiosks: how do they work in the workplace?
To understand how connected charging stations work in the workplace, there are several elements to consider.
Generally, you have :
- equipment: a charging station is installed in the company parking lot, usually in an allocated parking area. This charging station is connected to the company's power supply and has one or more charging points where electric vehicles can plug in to recharge. To ensure that connected charging stations are functional, check that the area where your company is located has a good Internet connection. If this is not the case, your kiosk installer can provide you with a wifi repeater or modem,
- software Software: once the charging station has been installed, it is connected to the supervision system, which manages and monitors the use of the charging stations. Access to this platform is via a mobile application and/or a web portal,
- user identification To recharge your electric vehicle, your employees or authorized persons need to authenticate themselves using an RFID badge, QR code or application,
- recharging After identification, users can use the charging station to recharge their electric vehicle. In addition, the supervision platform provides data on usage, consumption, etc,
- billing Billing: At this stage, you have the option of billing charging by time, by kWh of electricity consumed, or on a flat-rate basis. You're free to choose what's most convenient for your employees,
- payment With a connected terminal, you can choose to pay by :
- identification badge This is one of the most common payment methods. The badge is directly linked to the user's customer account, and the card is also linked to it. So when the user swipes the badge, the top-up amount is debited directly,
- mobile application If a mobile application is available, users can track, program and pay for their refill,
- credit card The same principle applies to the self-service petrol pump.
Also read : Installing a charging station on your premises
Good to know You can also connect your with photovoltaic solar panels.. It's a good way of accelerating your energy transition while reducing energy costs through self-consumption of electricity.
How much does a connected charging station cost?
The cost of a connected charging station depends on a number of factors:
- make and model of terminal
- functionalities
- terminal installation costs
Taking all these factors into account, you should expect to pay from approximately €2,500 ex. for a connected terminal. This amount may vary according to brand and additional features.
from Beev
To facilitate your company's energy transition, Beev gives you the opportunity to buy or rent charging stations. Apply now!
Is there any assistance available for installing connected terminals in companies?
There is financial assistance available to help companies install their charging points, provided they are open to the public and until July 2023. Po qualify for the Advenir bonus, the only condition is that your charging points must come with the option of supervision, subscription and maintenance. Without these options, the bonus will not be available.
You are eligible for ADVENIR grants. Here are the grants for companies and professionals:
- Companies and public bodies
| Target | Rate of assistance | Excl. VAT per recharging point |
|---|---|---|
|
Private parking lot open to the public |
30 % |
Between €1,000 and €2,700 |
|
Private parking lot open to the public (intermediate target)*. |
30 % |
1 000 € |
*Good to know: for the ADVENIR program, the bonus for companies and companies and public bodies wishing to install charging stations in private parking lots open to the public and for intermediate targets includedwill be discontinued on August 1, 2023. Don't hesitate to contact our Beev experts if you would like to take advantage of this bonus before it is abolished.
In conclusion
With what we've just seen, you know how to use a connected charging station. If you're looking forautonomy, time savings and convenience for yourself and your users, connected charging stations could be the charging solution for you.
If you choose to equip your company, an overall audit of your company will be necessary, including :
- see the needs of your company and your employees, including :
- estimate the number of connected charging stations to be installed,
- adapt the charging stations to the charging capacity of electric vehicles, the type of cable typestypes plugs and charging modesetc.
- see what your budget is.
In fact, our experts Beev experts can help you find the right charging solution for your project, your needs and your budget. Don't hesitate to contact them.
