When it comes to managing your EV charging stations, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Your choice will depend on your goals, budget, and the needs of your customers. Let’s explore the most common approaches used by retail locations today.
Note: Think outside the box! The perfect solution for your business might be something completely new.
1) Charging by kWh
Paying based on kilowatt hours (kWh) used is a straightforward way to manage costs. This model charges users for the energy they consume, making it fair and transparent. Here's how it works:
Example:
Set price—$0.30/kWh
30kWh x $0.30/kWh = $9.00
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Simple for both users and hosts
- Directly recovers energy costs
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- Doesn’t prevent “camping†at stations
- Not viable in areas where energy resale is restricted
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2) Charging by Time
Charging by time encourages users to free up stations once their vehicles are fully charged. This method helps maximize station utilization and revenue. Here's an example:
Example:
Set price—$2.25/hour
30kWh charge (at 7.4kW output) = ~4 hours
4 hours x $2.25/hour = $9.00
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Legal in all regions
- Discourages users from staying too long
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- Favors faster-charging vehicles
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3) Combo Pricing (kWh + Time)
This hybrid approach combines both kWh and time-based billing. It ensures fairness while also encouraging users to move their vehicles once charged. Here's how it works:
Example:
Set price—$0.15/kWh & $1.15/hour
(30kWh x $0.15/kWh) + (4 hours x $1.15/hour) = $9.10
Best for: Networked stations like Greenlots, EV Connect, or Everon.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Fair for users
- Encourages quicker turnover
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- More complex pricing
- Not suitable in all markets
- Still favors faster chargers
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4) Flat Rate
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A flat rate is the simplest option—users pay the same fee regardless of how much energy they use. This can be ideal for sites that want to simplify billing and generate consistent income. You can even collect cash directly or use access cards.
Example:
Set price—$9.00 per charge
No math—it’s always $9.00
Best for: Networked stations, RFID-only systems, and Plug 'n Charge setups.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Easy to implement
- Transparent pricing
- No bias toward fast chargers
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- Doesn’t deter “campingâ€
- May not reflect actual usage
- Fewer advanced features with network-ready options
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5) Free Charging
Offering free charging is a great way to attract EV drivers without asking anything in return. It’s simple, convenient, and can help build brand loyalty. This option works with any setup, whether networked or standalone.
Example:
Set price—FREE!
No math—it’s free!!
Best for: All types of charging setups, including networked, RFID-only, and Plug 'n Charge systems.
| Pros: |
Cons: |
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- Customers love it
- Lower operational costs
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- No revenue generation
- Fewer smart charging features
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Everything you need to know about EV charging
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