Commercial EV chargers are no longer a future consideration — they’re here, and they’re multiplying fast. For businesses aiming to meet sustainability targets, it’s more than just a trend to watch, it’s a solid opportunity. Installing EV chargers on your premises isn’t just about looking green. It can bring in new customers, support your staff or fleet, and even generate revenue over time.
Still, jumping into commercial EV charging can feel like a big step. There’s tech to understand, costs to weigh up, and a few decisions it’s important to make early on to save you hassle down the line.
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What Are Commercial EV Chargers? — and why should you know the difference
Commercial EV chargers are either public or restricted electric vehicle charging stations installed at business properties — think retail centres, office buildings, restaurants, or industrial facilities. Depending on how they are configured, they’re designed to serve customers, employees, delivery drivers, or the company’s own electric fleet.
Why should you consider installing an EV charger? Here are a few reasons:
- Customers are already asking for them. More EV drivers are on the roads, and they’re planning stops based on where they can charge.
- You’ll stand out. If a customer has a choice between your store and the one down the road — but you’ve got charging — they’re more likely to pick you.
- You’ll be ready for what’s coming. Government policies, fuel prices, and consumer preferences are all shifting toward electric transport. Charging infrastructure will soon be expected, not optional.
Two main charger types: AC vs. DC
If you’ve looked into EV chargers, you’ve probably come across these terms already: AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current). Put simply, AC chargers are slower than DC chargers, also known as fast chargers. Understanding your business use case — and budget — is important when choosing what type to install. (To cut to the chase, DC chargers are very expensive, and typically require government grants to help with initial costs.)
AC Chargers (aka “destination chargers”)
- Power range: Typically 7 kW to 22 kW.
- Charge time: 3–8 hours depending on vehicle and output.
- Good for: Hotels, offices, retail stores, shopping centres, apartment blocks.
- Installation cost: Lower, usually $1,500–$3,000 per unit (plus installation).
These chargers are meant for places where vehicles stay parked for a while. They’re great for businesses looking to offer charging as an added amenity rather than a high-volume revenue source.
DC Chargers (aka “fast chargers”)
- Power range: 25 kW to 350 kW.
- Charge time: As quick as 15–30 minutes for most EVs.
- Good for: Highway stops, logistics hubs, car fleets, petrol stations.
- Installation cost: High — expect $50,000 for the hardware alone, at a minimum.
These are serious pieces of equipment. Installation can be complex, and they draw a lot of power, so your site’s electrical setup matters. But for fast-paced operations, they’re worth it.
Public vs Restricted EV Chargers
Whether your intended EV charger installation is intended for use by the general public, only for your business fleet or for you alone will also dictate which charger solution to select.
Key to this decision is how the vehicle will authenticate with the charger. Common types of authentication include:
- RFID card: Chargers that allow RFID authentication would be useful for fleets, as fleet managers can distribute the cards to staff for charging purposes.
- Smartphone app: Chargers that allow authentication via an app are useful for the general public, if the charger(s) are managed by a well-known network provider, eg Everty or Chargefox.
- Tap & pay: As the name suggests, chargers with a Tap and Pay feature allow drivers to activate and pay for EV charging with a credit or debit card. Useful for publicly available chargers.
- Plug & charge (ISO 15118): This is the most seamless experience—just plug the car in, and if it’s registered with the system, charging starts automatically. This feature is becoming more common with newer EVs and is ideal for fleet or employee use.
- Key switch: Requires a physical key to activate the charger, for example the Delta AC Max (link article). This is a great old school solution for areas with no network or reception but is hard to track usage (and if keys are being shared.)
- PIN Code or access code: Allows users to activate charging via a PIN or Access code, usually via a mobile interface but sometimes with a built-in keypad (for example the Wallbox Commander 2.) Good solution for fleets.
Benefits To Business?
Adding EV charging to your site can do more than tick the sustainability box. It can also attract customers, provide staff benefits, and even generate revenue if done correctly.
Attract & Retain Customers
Picture this: someone’s doing a weekend wine tour in a Tesla. They check a charging app and see two options — one winery has EV charging, the other doesn’t. Where do you think they’ll go?
EV chargers encourage people to stop by — and hang around. For cafes, shopping centres, and entertainment venues, this extra “dwell time” often means extra spending.
Staff Perks
Installing EV chargers for staff isn’t just about keeping up with the times — it’s a practical, low-effort way to attract talent, offer meaningful employee benefits and increase staff retention.
Think about it: as EV adoption grows, more of your team members are either driving electric or thinking about making the switch. Giving them access to free or subsidised charging at work sends a clear message — we’re supporting your choices, and we’re thinking ahead.
Your Green Reputation
Consumers notice when businesses take real steps toward sustainability. EV charging shows you’re paying attention to where things are headed, not just sticking solar panels on the roof and calling it a day.
Some companies even integrate charging into their ESG reporting or use it as part of their sustainability messaging to customers and investors.
Generate revenue
You can offer EV charging as a free service, but many businesses choose to charge for it — and rightly so. Whether it’s a small fee to cover electricity or a profit-generating price point, chargers can earn their keep over time.
Electrify your own fleet
If your business runs vehicles — whether they’re sales cars, delivery vans, or utes — charging them onsite could simplify logistics and cut operating costs. Fleet electrification is picking up steam, and charging infrastructure is the foundation.
EV Charging Business Costs – What To Expect
As with any technological upgrade, cost can be a sticking point, so let’s get specific. Here’s a breakdown of typical expenses in Australia:
| Charger Type | Unit Cost | Installation Cost | Total Estimated Cost |
| AC Charger (7–22kW) | $700 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $4,000 | $1,700 to $7,000 |
| DC Fast Charger (25–50kW) | $15,000 to $35,000 | $10,000 to $25,000 | $25,000 to $60,000 |
| High-Speed DC (150kW+) | $50,000 to $120,000+ | $30,000+ | $80,000 to $150,000+ |
Factors that can push the price up:
- Grid upgrades (this is especially the case with DC chargers)
- Trenching or long cable runs (copper ain’t cheap these days!)
- Load balancing systems for managing demand
- Complex metering or billing systems
The good news? You don’t always need the most expensive setup to make EV charging worthwhile. Start small, see how it’s used, and expand from there.
Can you make money by offering EV charging?
Absolutely — but let’s be honest, you’re not going to make big bucks immediately.
Say you install two 22kW AC chargers at a suburban shopping centre, where customers typically spend 1-2 hours at a time. You charge $0.35/kWh and see 14 sessions per week, averaging 30kWh each. That’s about $147/week — or $7,644/year in revenue. Not bad for an extra service that also attracts shoppers to your centre rather than the one in the next suburb.
DC chargers can pull in more — especially along highways or busy hubs — but the initial cost is higher, so break-even takes longer.
Business EV Charging Rebates & Incentives
There are federal and state-based EV grants for businesses in Australia to help cover EV charging projects. These may include 100 per cent funding or co-funding towards charger hardware and installation.
A successful EV charger grant application could help your business kick off your charging setup for the public or for your own business fleet, doing away with all or part of the initial upfront cost of buying the hardware and getting it installed.
The advantage of this is, naturally, that for public installs the revenue generation can start sooner, rather than later. For business fleets, it also covers what is essentially another business expense — and gets more fleets on board sooner.
The tricky part? Available grants and rebates change often, and can be competitive. If you’re serious about installing a charger, check what’s available now, and get moving.
The installation process: step by step
Here’s how the whole thing generally plays out:
- Site Assessment
A licensed electrician or energy advisor checks your site’s power supply, parking layout, and likely usage patterns. - Feasibility Study (Highly Recommended)
This helps you figure out what type of charger makes sense, what capacity you can support, and whether you’ll need upgrades. It’s also helpful to estimate usage, whether public for revenue purposes, or if for private fleet usage, to understand the savings and costs of going electric. - Equipment Selection
Here’s where you need to understand how your chargers will be used, and how you want users to activate them. You’ll choose a charger model, brand, and software platform (if needed). AC vs. DC is the big decision, but understanding the finer details of which model is important also.
See our EV charger guides for more info. - Quotes and Approvals
Get quotes from installers, check warranties, and seek council approval if required. Ensure that installers are able to meet timelines, and that any potential DAs required or in the case of DC chargers, network connections, are also in the pipeline. - Installation, Testing and Commissioning
The gear is installed, wired, tested and once all is confirmed as operational, the chargers are commissioned – aka made available for use. Depending on complexity, this whole process could take a day or several weeks. - Commissioning and Go-Live
The charger is connected to any billing system or app, signage goes up, and you’re ready to charge.
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Choosing the right charger for your business
There’s no one-size-fits-all. What works for a winery probably won’t work for a delivery depot.
Here’s what to think about:
- Customer profile: How long do people stay? Are they likely to use it? If your charger is publicly available, understanding how people use your business location is useful.
- Fleet size: If you’re running multiple EVs, you’ll need the right mix of speed and capacity.
- Fleet charging capacity: You’ll also need to understand the speed at which your EVs can charge — if your fleet can only charge at a top rate of 11kW, no point getting a 22kW unless you foresee upgrading vehicles in the future
- Power availability: Your site’s electrical grid connection and local circuit will set some limits. If your property has access to three-phase power, your maximum AC charging rate is 22kW. If not, 7kW is the maximum.
- Budget: Don’t just think about upfront cost — look at long-term value. Understand what your potential revenue is, and what your payback period is likely to be.
- Future-proofing: EV demand is growing. Can you scale up if needed?
Considerations for Public Access
If you’re making your charger available to the public, there are a few more things to think about:
- Payment systems: You’ll need integrated billing software, and ideally, the ability to accept multiple payment types—credit card, app, or RFID.
- Network visibility: To attract users, your site should be listed on public platforms like PlugShare, Chargefox, or Everty. Some platforms even let you set dynamic pricing or monitor usage in real time.
- Signage and access: Good signage, clear parking rules, and dedicated bays can make or break the usefulness of your charger. Don’t make people guess how to use it or whether they’re allowed to park there.
Considerations for Private or Fleet Use
If the chargers are only for your staff or fleet vehicles, you’ve got more flexibility—and potentially less cost:
- No need for public billing platforms: If no outside users will be accessing it, you don’t need payment gateways or mobile apps.
- Simpler access control: RFID cards or scheduled access (e.g. locking/unlocking the charger during business hours) can keep things secure and straightforward.
- Data tracking: Some systems allow you to track usage by individual driver or vehicle. That’s especially helpful for fleet reporting or employee reimbursements.
As you can see, there’s a lot to think about. This is where independent feasibility studies come in. Solar Choice can help businesses assess their options without steering you toward a particular brand or solution. No sales pitch — just honest advice.
FAQs
Q: How much does a commercial EV charger cost in Australia?
A: Basic AC units start around $3,000 installed. DC chargers can hit $60,000 or more.
Q: Are there grants for EV charger installations?
A: Yes, though they vary by state and funding round. It’s worth checking regularly.
Q: What’s the difference between AC and DC chargers?
A: AC is slower and cheaper — best for long stays. DC is fast, powerful, and suited to fleets or high-traffic areas, but is also a heftier investment.
Q: Can I earn money from EV chargers?
A: Yes, especially if you’re in a high-traffic location. Profit depends on EV charger installation costs, usage and pricing.
Q: Do I need a special power supply?
A: Possibly. DC chargers need an adequate grid connection, and AC chargers need three-phase power if you want the maximum 22kW capacity.
Q: How long does installation take?
A: AC installs can take as little as 1–2 days up to a matter of weeks. DC installs typically require many months due to electrical work, necessary permits, and grid connections.
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As a co-organizer of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum, Bridie is actively involved in EV advocacy and community engagement. She also owns a Tesla Model Y.
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- How much does it cost to charge an EV in Australia? - 5 February, 2025
