Electric vehicle charging stations: why the market is growing and what to consider when buying

The transition to electric transport is gradually changing the requirements for urban and commercial infrastructure. The more electric vehicles appear on the roads, the greater the need for convenient charging points.

Today, charging stations are installed not only in public parking lots and gas stations. They are in demand at shopping centers, hotels, business centers, residential complexes, fleets and private owners of electric vehicles.

China has become one of the largest manufacturers of equipment for charging electric vehicles. Both compact home devices and powerful commercial stations for fast charging multiple cars are on the market.

We will analyze which charging stations are most in demand, where they are used, how the main types of equipment differ and what you need to consider when purchasing.

Why the charging station market continues to grow

The number of electric vehicles is increasing, and with it infrastructure is developing.

For the owner of an electric car, the presence of a charging station becomes one of the key factors in the ease of operation of the car. If you can charge your car at home, in an office parking lot or en route, the need to regularly search for a free public station is greatly reduced.

The main reasons for the market growth:

• Increasing the number of electric vehicles;
• development of commercial charging infrastructure;
• construction of new residential complexes;
• expansion of corporate fleets;
• development of taxis and car sharing;
• reducing the cost of charging equipment;
• development of fast charging technologies;
• Remote monitoring of stations.

Charging infrastructure becomes a separate line of business. The company can not only install equipment for its own cars, but also organize paid charging for third-party users.

Why China has become a market leader

China holds a special place in the global electric vehicle industry. The country has formed a large production base, producing not only cars, batteries and power electronics, but also charging equipment.

Chinese manufacturers offer a large number of station configurations:

• wall chargers;
• floor stations;
• fast DC terminals;
• charging complexes for parking;
• stations for commercial transport;
• mobile chargers;
• equipment with multiple connectors.

Another advantage of the Chinese market is the wide choice of equipment. You can choose the station for a specific power, type of connector, method of installation and control system.

Low price should not be the main criterion of choice. The charging station operates with high electrical loads, so the quality of components, protection and compliance with safety requirements are of fundamental importance.

Where charging stations are used

The scope of the equipment is constantly expanding.

The most popular charging stations in:

• residential complexes;
• private homes;
• malls;
• business centers;
• hotels;
• restaurants;
• public parking lots;
• filling stations;
• service stations;
• Taxi parks;
• car sharing
• logistics companies;
• corporate fleets.

For business, a charging station can be an additional service for customers.

For example, a shopping mall can offer visitors to charge the car while shopping, and a hotel can provide charging to guests.

For a commercial facility, proper power assessment is especially important. If multiple cars are charged at the same time, existing electrical infrastructure may not be enough.

What types of charging stations are most in demand

Modern stations can be divided primarily by the type of current and charging speed.

AC charging stations

AC stations use alternating current and are most often used where the car remains for several hours.

They are suitable for:

• private homes;
• office parking lots;
• hotels;
• residential complexes;
• restaurants;
• malls.

The main advantage is the relatively low cost of equipment and simpler requirements for electricity supply.

For night charging at home or long parking at work, this option is often optimal.

DC charging stations

DC-stations work with direct current and can significantly reduce charging time.

Such equipment is in demand:

• on the tracks;
• near the gas station;
• in large parking lots;
• in transport companies;
• At high-traffic facilities.

DC equipment is much more complex and expensive than AC stations. It requires a more powerful connection and high-quality electrical infrastructure.

However, fast stations are becoming the most important element of a commercial charging network.

Home chargers

For a private user, most often a compact station installed on a wall or a special rack is enough.

This device allows you to charge the electric car in the garage or in the parking space.

When choosing, it is necessary to take into account the power of the home power grid. Not every apartment or private house is designed for long-term operation of a powerful charger.

Before installation, it is desirable to check the condition of the electrical wiring, available power and protective equipment.

Commercial charging systems

These are more complex solutions for parking and business.

These can include multiple charging stations, a load management system, payment through an app, remote monitoring, and usage statistics.

For a commercial facility, the power distribution function is especially useful. It allows you not to overload the electrical network when several cars are connected at the same time.

What connectors are used

The type of connector is one of the main parameters when buying a charging station.

Different standards are used in the market, including:

• Type 1;
• Type 2;
• CCS;
• GB/T;
• Chademo?
• NACS and others.

The specific option depends on the car and the market for which it is intended.

This is especially important when importing equipment from China. The station can be fully compatible with Chinese electric vehicles, but not suitable for cars common in the Russian or European market.

Therefore, before ordering it is necessary to determine:

What cars will be charged → what connector they have → what power is supported → what standard the station needs.

A mistake at this stage can make even expensive equipment virtually useless.

Who buys charging stations from China?

The main customers are:

• owners of electric vehicles;
• developers;
• management companies;
• shopping centers;
• hotels;
• restaurants;
• Gas stations;
• parking complexes;
• Taxi parks;
• delivery services;
• logistics companies;
• corporate fleets.

Also, the equipment is purchased by entrepreneurs who want to create their own network of paid charging stations.

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What to look for when choosing a charging station

Purchase of charging equipment requires analysis not only of technical characteristics, but also of the future use case.

It is important to consider:

• maximum power;
• type of current;
• number of connectors;
• standard of connection;
• Compatibility with vehicles;
• network voltage;
• degree of protection of the hull;
• temperature range of operation;
• protection against overloading;
• protection against current leakage;
• possibility of remote management;
• payment system;
• display;
• ability to connect to the Internet;
• guarantee;
• availability of spare parts.

For a street installation, the degree of protection of the housing from moisture and dust is especially important.

If the station will be used in winter, it is necessary to separately check the permissible temperature range.

Why you should not choose a station only for power

High power looks attractive at the buying stage: it seems that the faster the car charges, the better.

But in reality it all depends on the car and the electrical infrastructure.

If an electric car is able to take in limited power, installing a much more powerful station will not necessarily reduce charging time.

In addition, a powerful DC station requires an appropriate connection. If the facility does not have the necessary electrical power, the infrastructure will have to be upgraded.

The right choice does not begin with a question. "Which station is the most powerful?"And the questions:

• which vehicles will use it;
• How many cars need to be charged at the same time
• How much time they usually spend in the parking lot
• What power is available at the facility;
• How many exercises are planned per day.

Features of import of charging stations from China

When purchasing equipment, it is necessary to consider not only the cost of the station itself.

The final price may include:

• cost of equipment;
• delivery in China;
• international transportation;
• insurance;
• customs clearance;
• certification;
• delivery to the facility;
• Editing;
• connection;
• commissioning;
• software.

Particular attention should be paid to the documentation and requirements of Russian legislation.

Before paying for the order, you should check what documents will be required for the import and operation of a particular model. For a commercial project, requirements may differ from installation of equipment for private use.

It is also important to determine in advance who will perform the installation. The charging station is not a household appliance that is simply connected to the nearest outlet.

Powerful equipment requires professional calculation of electrical load and properly organized protection.

Is it necessary to check the manufacturer?

Yeah.

The Chinese market offers a huge amount of charging equipment, and product quality can vary greatly.

Before ordering, it is advisable to check:

• legal data of the manufacturer;
• Company experience;
• availability of own production;
• model range;
• certificates;
• technical documentation;
• customer reviews;
• export experience;
• guarantee conditions;
• availability of spare parts.

It is useful to request video of equipment operation and photos of the production line.

For large consignments, it is necessary to organize an inspection immediately before shipment. This allows you to check the completeness, marking, packaging and compliance of the goods with the ordered specification.

What mistakes buyers often make

Buying a station without cars

The station must match the vehicles that will use it.

You can not choose equipment only by appearance or declared capacity.

Wrong choice of connector

Different cars use different standards. Before ordering, it is necessary to check the compatibility of each model.

Underestimation of the power grid

A powerful station may require a major connection upgrade.

Before buying it is necessary to calculate the load.

Savings on protection

Protection against overload, short circuit and current leakage is an essential part of safe operation.

Too cheap equipment of unknown origin can pose serious risks.

Lack of service support

If the station is used commercially, its simpleness means direct financial losses.

Therefore, it is necessary to find out in advance where to buy consumables, who performs repairs and how quickly spare parts are delivered.

Ignoring the software

For a commercial network, it’s not just about physically charging your car.

The station owner must be able to control:

• number of sessions;
• electricity consumption;
• loading of equipment;
• revenue;
• station condition;
• errors;
• user access.

If the station does not support the necessary control system, its use in a commercial project can be inconvenient.

How to choose a station for business

For a business, the approach is different from buying a home device.

First, it is necessary to determine the expected flow of cars.

For example, for a hotel where the car can stand all night, a slower AC charge is sufficient.

For the highway station, on the contrary, speed is important. The driver will not wait for several hours, so powerful DC solutions are in demand here.

The cost of connection must also be considered.

Sometimes buying a more powerful plant looks profitable on paper, but upgrading the power grid makes the project too expensive.

Therefore, the commercial project should be considered as a whole:

equipment + connection + installation + logistics + maintenance + cost of electricity + projected load.

Only then can the payback be assessed.

Prospects of the charging infrastructure market

The development of electric vehicles will continue to drive demand for charging stations.

In the coming years, we can expect:

• Increase the number of fast DC stations
• development of charging infrastructure along the tracks;
• installation of stations in residential complexes;
• the appearance of more powerful equipment;
• development of contactless payment systems;
• integration of charging with mobile applications;
• remote diagnosis;
• intellectual load distribution;
• development of charging hubs for commercial vehicles.

A separate direction is the integration of charging stations with energy infrastructure. Smart systems allow you to manage the load depending on the time of day and available power.

In the future, the charging station will be not just a device for supplying electricity, but a full-fledged element of the digital energy system.

Outcomes

Charging stations for electric vehicles are becoming an important part of modern transport infrastructure.

Chinese manufacturers offer a wide range of equipment, from compact home AC stations to powerful commercial DC complexes.

When choosing, you need to consider not only price and power. Key importance are the type of connector, compatibility with cars, power grid capabilities, level of protection, software, service and availability of spare parts.

It is especially important for businesses to calculate the project’s economics in advance: the cost of equipment and delivery, connection, installation, maintenance and expected station load.

With a competent choice of supplier and a thorough inspection of equipment, the purchase of charging stations from China can be an effective way to create your own charging infrastructure or launch a new commercial project.