Can your site handle EV chargers?

It depends on your spare supply during the hours you plan to charge, not only on the size of your main switch. A site that is busy during the day can have plenty of room overnight.

What you need to know

• Main switch size: this is printed on the switch in your switchboard. A 200 A three-phase supply is about 139 kVA.
• Site load while charging: what your site already uses during those hours. Your interval data or a logger gives the best answer.
• Hours available: the time between vehicles coming back and leaving again.
• Daily energy: what the fleet uses each day, plus about 10% in charging losses.

The site check uses these figures to give a first answer. It also holds back 20% of your supply as a margin.

The three likely answers

1. It fits. You have enough spare supply for every charger at full speed.
2. It fits with load management. You have enough for the daily energy, but not every charger at full speed. Load management shares the power between chargers.
3. It needs changes. You could start with fewer vehicles, add a battery or upgrade your supply.

Your main switch isn't the only limit

Your local network and the cables to your site may set a lower limit. A licensed electrician needs to confirm the site, and larger jobs may need a connection application to your network.

Need a proper answer? Feasibility studies start at $1,000.