Why You (and Your Landlord) Should Pay for Employee Commutes: The Critical Role of Workplace Charging in the Charge Where You Park Ecosystem

If your business isn’t providing workplace EV charging, and if your commercial property isn’t offering this essential amenity, you’re missing a critical piece of the “charge where you park” puzzle, undermining talent strategies, and falling behind on sustainability goals.

For decades, the routine was simple: fill up your gas tank on your own time, on your own dime. With the rise of electric vehicles, many assumed the home charging model would perfectly replace the gas station trip. For single-family homeowners with home charging equipment, it often does.

But what about the millions of employees who live in apartments, condos, or simply don’t have dedicated home charging? For them, the daily EV commute can still be a source of anxiety, forcing a reliance on inconvenient public fast chargers or creating a constant hunt for available spots. This isn’t just a personal headache for individuals; it’s a growing business problem, whether you’re an employer looking to attract and retain talent, or a property owner aiming to boost your building’s appeal and value.

If your business isn’t providing workplace EV charging, and if your commercial property isn’t offering this essential amenity, you’re missing a critical piece of the “charge where you park” puzzle, undermining talent strategies, and falling behind on sustainability goals.

The Missing Link: Why Home Charging Isn’t Enough for Everyone

XLR8’s Charge Where you Park philosophy relies on integrating charging activity into the 95% of the time a vehicle is stationary. For many EV drivers, this means charging overnight at home. But for a significant and growing segment of the workforce, home charging simply isn’t an option:

• Apartment & Condo Restrictions: Living in multi-unit dwellings often means navigating complex landlord approvals, limited electrical infrastructure, or simply a lack of dedicated parking.
• Street Parking: Many urban and even suburban residents rely on street parking, making consistent overnight charging impractical or impossible.
• Cost & Infrastructure: Even when home charging is possible, the upfront cost of installing a Level 2 charger can be a barrier, especially for newer EV owners.

This reality means that for many of your current and future employees – and by extension, your tenants’ employees – their primary daily charging opportunity is at work. If you don’t provide it, you’re inadvertently pushing them towards less convenient, more expensive public options, or even deterring them from owning an EV at all. This isn’t just inconvenient; it can impact their morale, productivity (as they chase chargers), and ultimately, their decision to stay with your company or choose your building.

More Than a Perk: Workplace Charging as a Strategic Business Imperative

Providing workplace EV charging isn’t just a nice-to-have amenity – It’s rapidly becoming a strategic investment that delivers tangible business benefits for both employers and commercial property owners:

1. Turbocharge Recruiting, Tenant Acquisition & Retention: In today’s competitive job market, companies are fighting for top talent. A 2022 Deloitte survey highlighted that a significant portion of Gen Z and Millennials consider a company’s environmental values when choosing an employer. Offering workplace EV charging sends a clear message: you’re a forward-thinking employer committed to sustainability and employee well-being. Companies that offer this amenity report increased employee satisfaction and improved retention rates, directly impacting bottom line by reducing turnover costs. For property owners, companies seeking to lease office or commercial space increasingly look for buildings that can support their green initiatives and attract their workforce. Providing EV charging makes your property more attractive to high-value tenants, making your listings more competitive.
2. Bolster Corporate Sustainability Goals: Are you tracking Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions? Workplace charging is a quantifiable way to advance ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) objectives. By enabling employees to commute emissions-free, you directly contribute to reducing indirect (Scope 3) emissions. It also supports green building certifications like LEED, visibly demonstrating your commitment to a cleaner planet. For property owners, these metrics aligns your building with broader sustainability trends, appealing to environmentally conscious businesses and potentially qualifying your property for valuable green building certifications.
3. Enhance Employee Productivity & Morale: Imagine the peace of mind an employee gains knowing their vehicle is quietly charging while they work, eliminating “range anxiety” for their commute home or unexpected errands. This convenience translates to less stress, more focus during the workday, and a greater sense of appreciation for their employer. It removes a daily friction point from their lives, fostering a more positive work environment.
4. Future-Proof Your Facilities & Boost Property Value: The electric vehicle revolution isn’t slowing down. By proactively installing charging infrastructure, you’re ensuring your facilities remain relevant and attractive for the evolving workforce of tomorrow. It positions your parking assets as modern, valuable components of your business operations. For property owners, EV charging is becoming a premium amenity that directly enhances your property’s valuation and marketability. Just as high-speed internet became standard, on-site EV charging is now a critical component of a future-proof commercial building. It attracts new tenants, can justify higher lease rates, and makes your asset more appealing to investors.

Making the Strategic Investment: How to Implement Workplace Charging Effectively

Implementing workplace charging doesn’t have to be daunting. The key is a strategic approach that considers your company’s (or your tenants’ companies’) specific needs, employee demographics, and growth projections. This could involve:

• Level 2 Chargers as the Workhorse: For typical 8-hour workdays, Level 2 chargers are often the most cost-effective and practical choice, providing a full charge or significant top-off during work hours.
• Smart Management: Utilizing intelligent charging platforms like the one developed by EVoke Systems to manage access, monitor usage, set pricing policies (from free to tiered rates), and even implement waitlist features to maximize charger utilization.
• Leveraging of Incentives: Exploring available state, local, and utility incentives, which can significantly offset installation costs. While federal policies may shift, many regional programs remain robust, making investment more accessible.
• Phased Deployment: Starting with a few strategically placed chargers and scaling up as employee EV adoption grows, rather than an all-at-once, massive overhaul.

Workplace charging moves beyond being a personal vehicle issue; it transforms into a powerful, strategic business decision. By investing in this essential amenity, employers are not just supporting their employees’ commutes; they’re actively investing in their talent pipeline, strengthening their brand, and accelerating their corporate journey towards a more sustainable future. Likewise, commercial property owners who embrace this shift will find their buildings more competitive, valuable, and future-ready.

Ready to transform your property’s potential and meet the demands of the electrified future?

Embrace the Charge Where You Park revolution. Contact us to schedule a consultation.