Commercial EV Charging
Cost depends on the number and type of chargers, the distance from your electrical supply, groundworks, and whether your site needs extra grid capacity. A small bank of AC workplace charger’s costs far less per socket than a DC rapid charging hub. We carry out a site survey first, so the quote you receive reflects your actual site rather than a generic estimate.
While light-passenger infrastructure grants are winding down, the government has significantly increased funding earmarked specifically for commercial heavy vehicles, HGVs, and coaches.
This is a £170 million multi-year funding programme running through 2030 specifically to help operators install high-powered charging infrastructure at fleet depots for battery-electric HGVs, vans, and coaches. [1]
How it Works: The scheme covers up to 70% of charge point and civil engineering costs, up to a maximum of £1 million per organization. [1]
Timeline:
Window 1 closed in June 2026.
Window 2 is scheduled to open on 28 October 2026 and close on 29 January 2027 for projects starting in April 2027 and delivering by March 2028. Future windows will continue rolling out until 2030
Companies can claim a 100% first-year allowance on qualifying charge point equipment, deducting the full cost from taxable profits in the year of spend. The allowance runs to 31 March 2027 for Corporation Tax and 5 April 2027 for Income Tax.
Yes. Chargers can be set up for staff, visitors or the public, each with its own tariff. Many businesses recover their running costs from staff charging and generate income from public charging, particularly on sites with good roadside access or high footfall such as hotels, retail and leisure venues.
Payback depends on usage, your electricity rate, the tariff you set and any grant you receive. For fleets, the main return comes from fuel savings, as electricity costs substantially less per mile than diesel or petrol. We model payback for your site as part of our proposal.
AC chargers, typically 7kW to 22kW, suit vehicles parked for several hours, such as staff cars during the working day or fleet vans overnight. DC chargers, from around 30kW upwards, suit vehicles that need a quick top-up, or public and customer charging where dwell time is short. Our own-brand EnergyForce range covers both, from wall-mounted AC units, Pedestals to the DC Wallbox, Rapid Charger, Hyper Charger and PowerStack. Most workplaces are well served by AC charging, with DC added where fleet turnaround or customer demand requires it.
We base this on how many vehicles you have, how far they travel each day and how long they are parked. Not every vehicle needs to charge every day, so the right number is often lower than the number of EVs. We also plan the cabling so extra chargers can be added easily as demand grows, and our customers benefit from utilization tracking with EnergyForce ChargerControl.
Many sites have enough spare capacity for a first phase of chargers, especially when load management, such as EnergyForce EnergyGuard is used. Where more power is needed, EnergyForce can deliver the connection works itself as an accredited Independent Connection Provider (ICP), rather than relying on your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) alone. Battery storage through EnergyForce Capacity+ can also increase available site capacity without upgrading your incoming supply.
Load management shares the available power between chargers in real time. It prevents your site from exceeding its supply limit and avoids unnecessary grid upgrades. Our chargers include EnergyForce EnergyGuard, our very own tried and tested on thousands of sites dynamic load management. smart load balancing, and the EnergyForce EMS can coordinate charging with your solar generation, battery storage and cheaper tariff periods.
It depends on the charger’s power, the vehicle’s battery size and how much the vehicle itself can accept. As a guide, a 7kW charger adds roughly 25 to 30 miles of range per hour, while a 60kW rapid charger can add around 150 miles – 180 miles in 45 minutes to an hour. Most workplace charging happens while the vehicle is parked anyway, so full speed is rarely critical.
Yes. Our own-brand EnergyForce chargers use the UK-standard connectors, Type 2 for AC charging and CCS & MCS for DC rapid charging, and are compatible with all major manufacturers, from BMW, Audi and Volkswagen to Tesla, Kia and Nissan. For a large percentage of Manufacturers and dealerships throughout the UK, EnegryForce is the preferred EV Charger of choice.
Yes. EnergyForce chargers support user authentication by RFID card or mobile app, with access and tariffs managed through EnergyForce ChargeControl. You can set different tariffs for staff, fleet vehicles, visitors and the public, or offer free charging to selected users.
Our dedicated Operations & Maintenance service covers scheduled servicing, 24/7 remote monitoring and fault response, delivered by in-house engineering teams operating nationwide. Through EnergyForce ChargeControl, many faults are diagnosed and resolved remotely to maximise up time. Where a site visit is needed, response times are set out in your service level agreement.
Our chargers connect to EnergyForce ChargeControl, our own charge point operator platform. It provides remote management, user access, real-time reporting and full visibility of usage and costs across every site in your charging network.
Home chargers can be linked to the same management platform, which records exactly how much electricity each company vehicle uses. This allows accurate, automated reimbursement without relying on manual mileage claims.
Most wall-mounted and freestanding chargers in off-street carparks fall under permitted development rights and do not need planning permission. Exceptions can apply to listed buildings, conservation areas and larger installations with substations or canopies. We confirm this during the survey.
We plan each installation with future growth in mind, not just the chargers you need today. Ducting and cabling are laid with spare capacity, so extra charge points can be connected later without digging up the car park again. Our networked chargers also link with solar PV and battery storage through the EnergyForce EMS, so the system can expand as your energy needs change.
Commercial Solar PV
Cost is driven mainly by system size, roof type, access and the electrical work needed to connect to your site. The cost per kilowatt falls as systems get larger, so bigger roofs typically deliver better value. We provide a fixed quote following a site survey and a review of your electricity usage.
Payback depends on how much of the generated electricity you use on site, what you currently pay per unit, and your system size. Businesses that use most of their power during daylight hours, such as manufacturing, warehousing, offices and hospitality, see the fastest returns. We model your expected savings and payback using your actual half-hourly consumption data. Where the electricity is consumed on site paybacks can be as little as 3 years.
Yes. Under the Smart Export Guarantee, licensed energy suppliers pay you for surplus electricity sent to the grid. Export rates are lower than the price you pay to import, so the strongest financial case comes from using as much solar power on site as possible.
Yes. EnergyForce offers a range of commercial models, including capital purchase, lease funding, fully funded solutions and hybrid investment models. We help you identify the option that best fits your operational and financial objectives.
Solar equipment qualifies as plant and machinery, so businesses can often use capital allowances such as the Annual Investment Allowance to offset much of the cost against taxable profits. In England, rooftop solar and associated battery storage are also exempt from business rates until 31 March 2035. We recommend confirming the details with your accountant.
We assess orientation, shading, available area, structural capacity and the condition of the roof covering. South-facing roofs are ideal, but east–west layouts also perform well and suit businesses with morning and afternoon demand. Where a structural survey is needed, we arrange it before installation.
Solar is still possible, but you will need your landlord’s consent. It is worth agreeing in advance who owns the system and what happens at the end of your lease. We can help structure the conversation with your landlord.
Yes. Ground-mounted arrays suit businesses with spare land, and solar car ports make productive use of parking areas while providing shade and shelter. Car ports also pair naturally with EV charging.
Most rooftop systems on commercial buildings fall under permitted development in England and do not need planning permission. Consent is usually required for listed buildings, some conservation areas, ground-mounted arrays and solar car ports. We check this for every project.
Yes. Solar panels generate from daylight, not direct sunshine, so they continue to produce on overcast days, though at a lower output. Generation is highest from spring to early autumn, and our savings forecasts account for seasonal variation across the whole year.
This depends on your roof size and how your consumption matches daylight hours. We use your half-hourly meter data to show how much of your demand the system will meet, month by month, and how much will be exported.
Yes. All grid-connected systems must be registered with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), and larger systems need approval before connection under the G99 process. As an accredited Independent Connection Provider (ICP), EnergyForce manages the application and can deliver the connection work itself, which often shortens timescales. Where export capacity is limited, export limitation allows the system to be installed.
Any electricity you do not use is exported to the grid and paid for under the Smart Export Guarantee. Adding battery storage lets you store weekend or evening surplus and use it when your site is operating, which usually delivers more value than exporting.
Quality commercial panels have an expected life of 30 years or more. Output declines gradually over time, typically by around 0.5% a year, and manufacturers guarantee a minimum performance level for 25 years or longer. Inverters usually need replacement once during the life of the system.
Solar PV needs very little maintenance, but regular care protects output. Our Solar PV Operations & Maintenance service includes 24/7 remote monitoring, periodic inspection and electrical testing, and panel cleaning where needed, so any drop in performance is flagged and resolved quickly.
Panels typically carry a product warranty of 12 years and a performance warranty of 25 to 30 years. Inverters usually come with 5 to 10 years, often extendable. We also provide a workmanship warranty on the installation.
Disruption is kept to a minimum. Most roof work takes place without affecting operations inside the building. The final connection requires a short, planned power shutdown, which we schedule out of hours or at a time that suits you.
Commercial Battery Storage
A battery stores electricity so you can use it when it is most valuable. It can hold surplus solar generation, charge from the grid when prices are low, reduce your peak demand and increase your available site capacity. The result is lower energy costs and greater control over when and how you use power.
Not always, but it often improves the return. If your solar system exports a significant share of its output, for example at weekends or in the evenings, a battery lets you keep that energy for your own use. Stored solar power is typically worth considerably more to you than the export rate.
Yes. Many commercial electricity bills include charges linked to your highest demand or to usage during peak periods. A battery can discharge at those times to reduce the power drawn from the grid, lowering those charges.
Yes. This is known as load shifting or tariff arbitrage. The battery charges when electricity is cheapest, usually overnight, and discharges during more expensive periods. The savings depend on the gap between your off-peak and peak rates.
Payback depends on how the battery will be used, your tariff structure, and whether it is paired with solar or EV charging. Batteries that deliver several benefits at once, such as solar self-consumption, peak reduction and additional site capacity, provide the strongest returns. We model this for your site before you commit.
We size the battery using your half-hourly consumption data, your solar generation profile and your objectives. A battery that is too small leaves savings on the table, while one that is too large will rarely be fully used. The right size balances cost against the value it will deliver.
Commercial batteries are typically designed for a service life of 10 to 15 years or longer, depending on the technology and how intensively they are used. Capacity reduces gradually over time, and manufacturers warrant a minimum retained capacity over the warranty period.
Yes, when correctly designed and installed. Commercial systems include integrated battery management, temperature monitoring and protection devices that shut the system down safely if a fault is detected.
We design every installation around current UK guidance on battery storage, including location, separation distances, ventilation and fire detection. We recommend informing your insurer before installation, and we can provide the technical documentation they typically request.
Commercial batteries can be installed indoors in a suitable plant room or outdoors in weatherproof cabinets or containers. Location is chosen for safety, access, ventilation and proximity to your main electrical supply. We confirm the most suitable position during the site survey. EnergyForce Capacity+ comes complete in an outdoor rated cabinet with HVAC.
Often, yes. EnergyForce Capacity+ works within the limits of your current supply. It builds up a reserve of energy when your site is using little power, then tops up the supply at busy times. That extra headroom means many sites can add EV chargers or electric equipment without a supply upgrade from the network operator, saving both money and months of waiting.
EnergyForce EMS runs the battery for you. It tracks what your site needs from minute to minute and decides when to store energy and when to release it, making best use of solar generation, cheaper tariff periods and EV charging demand. It keeps a watch on battery condition and reports on performance, so your team can see the savings without managing the system day to day.
Solar, Batteries and EV Charging Together
Both approaches work. Installing together reduces overall cost, as survey, design, electrical work and grid connection are delivered once, and the systems work as one from day one. As an accredited ICP with in-house teams, EnergyForce handles every stage, giving you one point of responsibility. If a phased approach suits your budget, we design the first phase so later additions connect without rework.
Yes. Smart chargers can prioritise charging when your panels are generating, so vehicles run on your own solar power rather than grid electricity. Adding a battery extends this into the evening and overnight, which suits fleets that charge after returning to base.
Solar PV cuts the grid electricity you buy, reducing your Scope 2 emissions. Switching fleet vehicles to electric reduces Scope 1 emissions from fuel, and batteries help you make the most of your own clean energy. The data from our monitoring platforms also supports your reporting under frameworks such as SECR and ESOS.
Yes. EnergyForce EMS brings solar generation, battery performance and site demand together, while EnergyForce ChargeControl gives real-time visibility of your charging network. Together they provide a clear view of savings, carbon reduction and system health across all your sites.
Most commercial projects take a matter of weeks from design approval to completion, and installation itself is often completed in weeks or even days and as an accredited ICP, EnergyForce can deliver connection works in parallel with your project rather than waiting on the DNO alone.
Look for recognised accreditations, a proven track record with businesses like yours, clear warranties and a named point of contact for aftercare. EnergyForce is accredited MCS, NAPIT and CHAS, and holds NERS accreditation as an Independent Connection Provider. Since 2014 we have completed hundreds of projects nationwide, including for many of the UK’s leading automotive dealerships.
The systems we install are designed to adapt. Battery control strategies can be updated when your tariff changes, chargers can be added as your fleet grows, and monitoring highlights shifts in your usage so the setup can be adjusted to keep delivering value.
For most businesses with daytime demand and a suitable roof, solar PV offers the fastest and most reliable return, making it a strong first step. EV charging becomes the priority when you are electrifying your fleet or need to meet staff and customer demand. Battery storage adds most value once solar is in place or where peak charges and grid constraints are significant. We can recommend an order based on your site data.
Sources
Grant and tax details checked 28 September 2026. Review before publishing and every six months.