Choosing the right EV charging solution

Understanding charger types and charging speeds

There are three common charging levels, which differ in charging speed and power requirements.

• Level 1 (AC): Uses a standard power outlet and is best suited to overnight charging.
• Level 2 (AC): Uses a dedicated EV charger and is ideal for destinations where visitors spend several hours.
• Level 3 (DC): Provides rapid charging and is designed for shorter stops where drivers want to return to the road quickly.

Think of EV charging like filling a water tank. The greater the flow of energy, the faster a vehicle can charge. The illustration below compares how different charging speeds deliver energy to the same battery.

Matching charging speeds to the visitor experience

While faster charging may seem appealing, it is not always the best solution. The most effective charging infrastructure is the option that naturally complements your visitor experience and typical dwell times.

• Slow charging (Level 1 AC) is best suited to accommodation businesses where visitors stay overnight.
• Medium charging (Level 2 AC) works well for attractions, wineries, tours, restaurants and town centres where visitors spend two or more hours exploring, dining or participating in activities.
• Fast charging (Level 3 DC) is designed for pass-through travellers making shorter stops, such as for a coffee break, meal stop or visitor information stop.

Charging times will vary between vehicle types.

Components of an EV charging solution

An EV charging solution is typically made up of three components: hardware, software and payment systems. Understanding how these components work together can help you choose a charging solution that meets the needs of your business and visitors.

An EV charging solution is typically made up of three components: hardware, software and payment systems. Understanding how these components work together can help you choose a charging solution that meets the needs of your business and visitors.

Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical equipment installed at your site, including the charger, cables, connectors and supporting electrical infrastructure.

For visitor economy businesses, hardware can range from a simple dedicated socket for Level 1 charging through to a wall-mounted or pedestal-mounted Level 2 charger.

Some chargers include built-in smart features, while others require separate software to enable functions such as monitoring, payment processing and reporting.

Software

Software is what makes an EV charger "smart".

It can help you:

• Monitor charger usage
• Access charging and usage reports
• Control who can access the charger
• Manage pricing and payments
• Monitor performance and reliability

Some charging providers offer hardware and software as a bundled solution, while others allow you to connect compatible chargers to a separate software platform.

Payment systems

Payment systems enable businesses to recover electricity costs or generate revenue from charging services.

Depending on the charger and software platform, visitors may be able to pay via:

• Credit or debit card
• Mobile apps
• QR code payment links
• Subscription or charging network accounts

Some charging solutions have payment functionality built in, while others require a separate payment platform.

Questions to Ask Before Purchasing

When comparing EV charging solutions, consider:

• What software is compatible with the charger?
• Are there ongoing software subscription costs?
• What payment options are supported?
• Are there any transaction or payment platform fees?
• What reporting and usage data will be available?
• What technical support, maintenance and warranty services are provided?

Some existing chargers can be upgraded to include payment functionality through a compatible software platform. Check with your supplier to determine what options are available.

EV Connectors

An EV connector is the plug used to connect a vehicle to a charging station.

In Australia, the most common connector types are:

• Type 2 for AC charging (typically Level 2)
• CCS2 for DC fast charging (typically Level 3)

To help visitors plan their charging stop, clearly identify:

• The connector types available
• Whether visitors need to bring their own charging cable
• Any access requirements or payment arrangements

Providing this information upfront helps reduce confusion and creates a smoother charging experience for EV drivers.

How to choose the best EV charging solution for your type of business and visitors

Every visitor economy business is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all EV charging solution. The most suitable option will depend on factors such as visitor dwell time, available electrical capacity, budget and whether you plan to offer charging as a complimentary service or recover costs.

Use the diagram below as a guide to help determine the EV charging solution that best aligns with your business and visitor needs.

Considerations for choosing the right EV charging solution

While the diagram provides a useful starting point, the most suitable charging solution for your business will depend on your site, visitors and long-term objectives. Before investing in EV charging infrastructure, consider your available electrical capacity, expected demand from EV-driving visitors, budget, and whether you intend to offer charging as a complimentary service or recover costs through user fees.

Key considerations include:

• Available electrical capacity at your site
• Current and future demand from EV-driving visitors
• Available budget
• Typical visitor dwell time
• Whether charging will be offered free of charge or as a paid service

For smaller accommodation providers:

• Installing an outdoor-rated power point at guest parking spaces may be a practical and cost-effective option.
• Installing a Level 2 charger at every parking space may require additional electrical infrastructure and load management systems, increasing cost and complexity.

For businesses considering Level 3 fast charging:

• Significant upfront investment is typically required.
• Additional electrical upgrades may be needed to support the required power demand.
• Fast charging enables higher turnover of charging bays and may suit locations with shorter visitor dwell times.

In many cases:

• A small number of shared charging bays may be sufficient to meet visitor demand.
• Dedicated charging bays should be clearly signposted and reserved for vehicles actively charging.

A staged approach can help manage costs:

• Start with one or two charging bays.
• Monitor visitor usage and demand.
• Expand charging infrastructure as demand grows over time.

Payments and recovering your charging costs

Consider whether EV charging will be provided as a complimentary visitor service or whether costs will be recovered through charging fees.

Some businesses choose to absorb charging costs as part of the visitor experience, while others recover costs through pay-per-use charging or by incorporating charging into accommodation, packages or other tourism experiences.

Your preferred approach will influence the type of charger, software platform and payment system that best suits your business.

If you plan to charge visitors for using an EV charger, consider:

• Which payment systems are compatible with the charger
• Any ongoing software subscription or transaction fees
• The level of reporting and usage data available
• Whether a bundled hardware, software and support solution would suit your business.
• The level of technical support, maintenance and operational assistance offered
• Mechanisms to promote good user behaviour such as booking charging sessions or appropriate idle fees

Charging fees may help offset electricity costs, maintenance expenses and future infrastructure upgrades.

How much does it cost to install an EV charger?

The cost of installing an EV charger will vary depending on the type of charger, site conditions and any electrical upgrades required.

When planning your investment, consider both upfront installation costs and ongoing operating costs.

Upfront costs may include:

• Purchase of EV charging equipment
• Electrical switchboard or distribution board upgrades, particularly for multiple chargers or higher-powered chargers
• Wiring and installation works, including trenching, concreting, cable runs or wall mounting
• Signage, line marking or dedicated EV parking bay infrastructure

The location of the charger can significantly influence installation costs. In many cases, installing chargers closer to an existing switchboard or distribution board can reduce the need for extensive cabling and civil works.

Ongoing costs may include:

• Electricity consumption
• Maintenance, inspections and safety checks
• Software subscriptions and payment processing fees (where applicable)
• Repairs, upgrades and replacement components over time

Like other business assets, EV charging infrastructure should be regularly monitored and maintained to ensure it remains safe, reliable and operational.

Measuring return on investment (ROI)

The value of EV charging extends beyond charging revenue alone. Depending on your business, benefits may include attracting new visitors, increasing visitor dwell time and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

To understand the performance of your investment, monitor:

• Total installation costs
• Ongoing operating costs, including electricity, software and maintenance
• Revenue generated from charging fees (if applicable)
• Charger usage and utilisation rates
• Changes in visitor numbers, visitor spend or length of stay

Tracking these measures over time will help you evaluate the performance of your charging infrastructure and inform future investment decisions, including whether additional charging capacity may be required.

Selecting the best EV charger location

Choosing the right location for your EV charger can improve the visitor experience, reduce installation costs and help ensure the charger is used effectively. Select a location that is easy for guests to find, access and use.

When planning your installation, consider:

• Is the charging space easy for visitors to find and access?
• Can an existing parking space be used for EV charging?
• Is the location close to an existing power supply? Longer cable runs and additional civil works can increase installation costs.
• If you are providing the charging cable, is it long enough to reach different vehicle charging port locations?
• Is there reliable Wi-Fi or mobile coverage if the charger requires payment processing, monitoring or remote management?
• Is there adequate lighting, particularly if visitors may charge outside daylight hours?
• Is there sufficient space for people with disability or mobility needs to safely access and use the charger?
• Are wheel stops or bollards required to help protect the charger from accidental vehicle impact?
• Would shelter from sun, rain or other weather conditions improve the charging experience for visitors? Most EV chargers are designed for outdoor installation and use.

A well-chosen location can make charging more convenient for visitors, improve charger utilisation and help minimise installation and maintenance costs.

EV charging safety considerations

Safety should be a key consideration when installing and operating EV charging infrastructure.

To help provide a safe and reliable charging experience for visitors:

• Use a licensed electrician to install your EV charger. While specialist EV charging experience is not essential for all Level 1 and Level 2 installations, it can be beneficial.
• Install the charger on a dedicated electrical circuit to help prevent overloading of other electrical equipment.
• Ensure the charger displays the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM), which demonstrates compliance with Australian electrical safety requirements.
• If the charger will be installed outdoors, ensure it has an appropriate Ingress Protection (IP) rating for exposure to weather conditions.
• Confirm that the installation complies with relevant Australian electrical safety standards. Your licensed electrician will be responsible for meeting these requirements.
• Obtain a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) once installation is complete.
• Advise your insurer that EV charging infrastructure has been installed at your premises to confirm any impacts on your policy.
• Visit EV Fire Safe and Fire + Rescue NSW for additional information on EV safety and charging equipment installation.

By using qualified professionals and ensuring your charging infrastructure meets Australian requirements, you can help provide a safe, reliable and positive charging experience for visitors.

EV charger monitoring and reporting

Providing a reliable charging service is an important part of the visitor experience. If EV drivers arrive expecting to charge and the charger is unavailable, it may negatively affect their experience and perception of your business.

Many Level 2 and Level 3 chargers offer remote monitoring capabilities, allowing faults to be identified and addressed quickly to minimise downtime. These features typically require Wi‑Fi or mobile network connectivity.

If you are considering a managed charging solution, ask whether the provider offers proactive monitoring, maintenance and technical support to help keep your charging infrastructure operational.

Reporting features can also provide valuable insights into charger usage and visitor behaviour. This information can help you understand demand, manage operating costs and make informed decisions about future investment.

When comparing charging solutions, consider whether reporting features can provide information such as:

• Charger usage patterns, including peak days and times
• Number of charging sessions completed
• Typical charging duration and visitor dwell time
• Electricity consumption
• Revenue generated from charging fees (where applicable)
• Software subscription and service costs
• How the data can be accessed (for example, through an online dashboard or automated reports)
• How frequently usage data is updated

Monitoring and reporting can help you maximise the value of your investment, improve the visitor experience and support future planning as EV demand grows.

How much does it cost to provide EV charging?

The cost of charging an electric vehicle varies depending on several factors, including:

• The price of electricity at your business, which may vary depending on your electricity plan and the time of day.
• The size of the vehicle's battery.
• The amount of charge required.
• The type of charger being used and the duration of the charging session.

The table below provides indicative electricity costs for common charging scenarios, based on an electricity price of 35 cents per kWh. Actual costs will vary depending on electricity tariffs, vehicle type and charging behaviour.

If your business is classified as a large electricity customer by your retailer (annual consumption greater than 100 MWh), speak with your electrician, installer or electricity retailer about whether EV charging may affect your demand charges.

Businesses may choose to recover some or all of the cost of providing EV charging through a charging fee. Many EV drivers are familiar with paying for charging when travelling.

Business Tip

When assessing the cost of EV charging, consider the broader visitor benefits as well as the electricity cost. EV charging can encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more time at your business, and enhance the overall visitor experience.