How much does it cost to install charging stations at work?

With the rise of electric vehicles and changing legal requirements, the question is no longer « whether to install charging stations in company car parks? » but rather « how much it will cost and how to make this investment profitable? ».

Between the cost of the charging stations, the installation work, the power required and the subsidies available, the budget can vary by up to threefold.

So how do you figure it all out? What is the real cost of installing EV charging stations in a business? What are realistic price ranges in 2026? And above all, how can you optimise your investment through subsidies and smart management?

In this article, we break down all the factors that influence the cost of installing charging stations at work: from purchasing equipment to commissioning, including financial assistance and financing solutions. Let’s take a closer look!

Factors that influence the cost of installing charging stations in the workplace.

1. The type of station installed.

« The choice of charging station is the first factor that has a significant impact on the overall cost. Slow charging stations » or AC (alternating current) stations offer power ranging from 3.7 to 22 kW and are ideal for long charging times, for example during your employees’ working day. They are generally less expensive to purchase and install.

« Conversely, fast charging stations » or DC (direct current) can deliver up to 50 kW and charge a vehicle in less than an hour, but their price and installation costs are much higher.

The choice therefore depends on the intended use: occasional charging for visitors and mobile employees requires higher power, while charging for employees and internal fleets can be done with slower, less expensive stations.

2. The number of stations and their location.

The number of stations to be installed also plays a key role in the budget. The higher the number of stations, the greater the initial investment, but economies of scale may apply to certain works and the purchase of equipment.

The location of the charging points also affects the cost: a charging point close to the main electrical panel will be cheaper to connect than one located several dozen metres away or requiring civil engineering work (trenches, conduits, signage, etc.).

It is also important to consider ease of access for users and compliance with safety standards, which can sometimes require costly adjustments.

3. Electrical installation costs for your business.

Electrical installation often represents a significant portion of the overall budget. It includes connection to the grid, cable laying, installation of appropriate electrical protection and, in some cases, reinforcement of the existing infrastructure to support the additional load.

The work may be simple if the business already has sufficient power, but if not, the electrical panel or grid connection will need to be upgraded.

In addition, all installations must be IRVE (Electric Vehicle Charging Installation) certified, which guarantees safety but can add a few hundred to thousands of pounds depending on the complexity of the site.

4. Management and supervision of charging stations.

Finally, the management and supervision of charging stations are often underestimated but essential aspects. Companies can choose connected charging stations that allow them to monitor consumption, manage access and, if necessary, bill users.

These features require management software and, very often, an annual subscription, which represents a recurring cost. Good supervision optimises the use of the stations, prevents overloads and allows maintenance to be planned, thus helping to extend the life of the installation while controlling operational costs.

This is exactly what the Sharvy solution offers, supporting businesses in the comprehensive management of their charging stations, from installation to daily consumption monitoring and billing, to simplify the transition to electric mobility.

The cost ranges to be expected for installing charging stations in a business.

1. The purchase price of the charging stations.

The cost of a charging station varies mainly according to its power and features. For so-called slow (AC) stations, suitable for daily use by your employees, the cost is between £700 and £1,800 per station. Popular connected models include the Wallbox Pulsar Plus and the EVBox Elvi, which allow you to monitor consumption, manage access and schedule charging sessions via a mobile app, such as Sharvy.

More powerful models, known as fast charging stations (DC), capable of charging a vehicle in less than an hour, can cost between £8,500 and £21,500 per unit. Examples include models such as the Schneider EVlink DC, which offers full connectivity and integrated billing options.

Therefore, the choice of charging station type will have a direct impact on the company’s initial budget.

2. The cost of installing charging stations.

Obviously, the cost of installation varies depending on the power of the terminal and the complexity of the site. For a simple AC terminal, installation costs are generally between £500 and £3,000, covering electrical connection, installation and IRVE compliance.

For DC fast charging stations or sites requiring civil engineering work (trenches, electrical panel reinforcement, remote connection), the cost can reach £4,500 to £8,500 per station.

As you can see, the location and number of charging stations also influence the cost: a small car park close to the electrical panel is much less expensive than a large site requiring several hundred metres of cabling and infrastructure work.

3. The average total cost of an EV charging station installation in a company car park.

By combining the price of the charging point and the installation, we can estimate the average total cost of an EV charging point installation:

• • For an SME installing 1 to 2 connected AC charging stations, such as Pulsar Plus or EVBox Elvi Wallboxes, the overall budget is generally between £2,000 and £5,000 per charging station.

• • For a large company installing 10 or more charging stations, the cost per station can range from £3,000 to £6,000, thanks to economies of scale on equipment and labour.

• • For fast DC charging stations, the budget can reach £15,000 to £35,000 per station, depending on the power and configuration of the site.

At the same time, the cost of charging station management solutions must also be taken into account. Connected solutions such as Sharvy are essential and allow for the supervision of all charging stations: consumption monitoring, reservation of charging stations and/or sessions in the form of time slots, invoicing and remote maintenance.

This management simplifies day-to-day operations and optimises long-term return on investment, but it represents an additional cost, usually in the form of a monthly or annual subscription. The cost will depend on the number of stations and the features chosen.

Contact our experts for an estimate for your project!

Hidden costs and recurring expenses.

1. Maintenance and after-sales service.

Like all electrical equipment, charging stations require regular maintenance to remain reliable and compliant with IRVE standards. This includes checking cables, sockets, electrical protection and monitoring software.

The annual maintenance cost can vary from £100 to £500 per terminal, depending on the type and number of units installed, and can be higher for fast terminals or busy sites.

2. Software updates and management.

Connected charging stations require regular software updates to benefit from new features, fix bugs and ensure transaction security.

These subscriptions and software licences can cost between €100 and €300 per terminal per year on average. Advanced monitoring solutions, such as those offered by Sharvy, allow you to centralise the management of all terminals in your company car park, but still require a monthly or annual subscription.

3.Energy costs and subscriptions.

The electricity consumption of charging stations adds to your electricity bill. Depending on the power of the stations and how often they are used, this can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand pounds per year.

Are there any grants or subsidies available for the installation of charging stations?

Yes, but the ADVENIR scheme is no longer widely available to traditional companies « ». Since 2023, the historical subsidy has been significantly restricted and now focuses on certain profiles:

• • Companies in the automotive sector (garages, dealerships).
  • Short-term vehicle rental companies.
  • Installations for heavy goods vehicle and coach fleets.

For companies installing charging stations intended solely for their employees and their standard internal fleet, the ADVENIR programme is no longer available. However, other grants and schemes may still be available:

• • Regional and local subsidies: some regions, cities and local authorities offer partial subsidies for charging point installations in private car parks. The amounts and conditions vary greatly depending on the region.

• • Tax benefits: depreciation, tax deduction or VAT reduction in some cases, although these measures are sometimes limited and subject to conditions.

It is therefore essential to clearly identify your company’s profile and the intended use of the charging stations before applying for a grant, and to prepare your application before work begins.

For standard business projects, it is often more appropriate to turn to internal financing solutions and services such as Sharvy, which facilitate management and cost optimisation while maximising return on investment.

So, how can you accurately estimate the budget for your project?

To forecast a realistic budget, there are a few key steps to follow:

• • Site audit: check the available power, location and any work required.
  • Choice of charging points: type (AC or DC), power and connected features.
  • Detailed quotes: compare several providers for equipment and installation.
  • Recurring costs: annual maintenance, software subscription and consumption.
  • Optimisation through subsidies: regional subsidies or tax benefits, if eligible.
  • Return on investment simulation: combine total cost and benefits to confirm long-term profitability.

In short, a precise audit, an appropriate choice of charging points and optimised management (with solutions such as Sharvy) enable you to control costs and secure your investment.

In conclusion

By intelligently combining the price of charging stations with the work required to manage them, it becomes possible to deploy a high-performance EV charging infrastructure without unnecessarily increasing costs.

And this is precisely where connected solutions come into their own. Thanks to platforms such as Sharvy, businesses have a real lever to optimise the use of charging points, monitor consumption, organise bookings and ensure preventive maintenance. All these elements enable them to get the most out of every kilowatt hour and every euro invested.

Ultimately, a successful EV charging project requires a comprehensive approach: considering not only installation, but also supervision, management and scalability. Whether you are installing one or ten charging stations, the approach remains the same: think long term, manage intelligently and rely on the right tools.

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