Business Charging Stations: The Complete Guide  

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In parallel with the greening of fleets imposed by the LOM Law, companies must also plan the installation of charging infrastructure (EVCI) to support the gradual replacement of their vehicles.

To avoid delays and additional costs, it is essential to clearly understand the legal framework and existing solutions.

This practical guide presents all the technical, regulatory and financial aspects related to the installation of charging stations in companies.

You will find there:

  • The applicable legal obligations depending on your situation,
  • The aid still available in 2025,
  • The criteria for selecting equipment suited to your needs,
  • The key steps to successfully complete your project, from the initial diagnosis to the commissioning of the infrastructure.

LEGAL OBLIGATIONS: The LOM Law, what your company must do

The Mobility Orientation Law (LOM), promulgated in December 2019 and updated for 2025, sets precise rules for the installation of charging stations in non-residential buildings (company car parks, offices, shops, etc.).

For NEW or RENOVATED buildings (after March 11, 2021)

CriteriaObligation
Parking for 10+ spacesPre-equip at least 20% of the spaces with electrical conduits and technical devices
Accessibility for people with reduced mobility2% of parking spaces must be accessible to people with reduced mobility, including at least one equipped with a terminal.
Parking for 200+ spacesA minimum of 2 equipped pitches, including 1 reserved for people with reduced mobility

What is pre-equipment?
It is the installation of "ready-to-use" electrical conduits that will allow for the future installation of EV charging stations.

For existing buildings (effective from January 1, 2025)

Number of seatsMandatory installation
Less than 20 placesNo obligation
20 to 40 seats1 minimum terminal + 1 PMR accessible terminal
40 to 60 seats2 charging stations + 1 disabled access charging station
Beyond1 additional charging station for every 20 spaces

Companies not concerned

  • Very small businesses and SMEs: generally exempt (The exemption only applies if the company has fewer than 250 employees and if it meets at least one of the two financial thresholds: 50 million euros in turnover or 43 million euros in total assets .)
  • Mixed-use buildings: the obligations apply in proportion to the number of spaces
  • Excessive costs: if the electrical connection exceeds 7% of the total renovation cost, the obligation does not apply.
  • Minor renovation: a renovation is considered “major” if it represents at least 25% of the building's value (excluding land).

Source: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/article_jo/JORFARTI000039666637

Financial assistance: How to reduce the cost of your project?

The ADVENIR program: Who can benefit from it?

The Advenir program allows companies to benefit from bonuses for electric vehicle charging station installation projects by specifically targeting certain professional activities.

Here is the list of sectors still eligible for the Advenir bonus

SectorAid rateLimit per terminal
Automotive professionals (charging stations for employees)25%€750 excluding VAT
Automotive professionals (public charging stations)50%€1,700 to €7,500 excluding VAT
Independent service stations (since July 2025)50%€1,700 to €25,000 excluding VAT
Heavy goods vehicle fleets (private parking)50%€2,200 to €960,000 excluding VAT
Automotive training organizations (CFA)25%€750 excluding VAT
Fleets and employees of short-term vehicle rental companies35%€1,200 to €25,000

Source: https://advenir.mobi/primes-et-montants-daides/

Since January 1, 2023, traditional businesses (offices, shops) can no longer benefit from Advenir.

For these companies, it is necessary to seek regional aid (which varies depending on the region) or private financing solutions (leasing, rental, bank loans).

Note: the Advenir program remains active until December 31, 2027 for eligible sectors.

Which charging stations should you choose for your business?

Choosing the right type of charging station is crucial for your company's operational performance. The key lies in ensuring the technical solution aligns with your actual business needs. Before equipping your business, it's essential to understand the main types of charging stations. Their differences lie in the type of current they use and the number of electrical phases available at your site.

Standard charging stations (AC – 3.7kW to 7.4kW)

This is the most economical and easiest solution to deploy for equipping a company parking lot. It is suitable for employee vehicles that remain parked throughout the workday or for fleet vehicles that return to the depot at night. With an average gain of 40 km of range per hour of charging, it allows for a full recharge in 6 to 10 hours.

Fast charging stations (AC – 11kW to 22kW)

This type of charging station offers a compromise between charging speed and installation cost. Requiring a three-phase power supply, very common in commercial buildings, these stations can add up to 120 km of range in one hour. These electric charging stations are particularly relevant for companies with fleets of commercial vehicles or for visitor parking lots, which can quickly regain range (1 hour of charging = approximately 100 km).

Fast charging stations (DC – 50 kW and above)

This type of charging station is best suited for high-turnover fleets (logistics, ride-hailing, delivery services, medical transport). Direct current (DC) charging allows the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in about an hour. However, its installation is a project that requires a thorough technical study and, most often, the installation of a new charging point, resulting in significantly higher investment and operating costs. This type of infrastructure ensures maximum vehicle availability while minimizing the impact on productivity. Thanks to a charging speed close to that of filling up at a gas station, vehicles can get back on the road quickly, without necessarily disrupting employee operations.

How is the cost of a charging infrastructure for a company (EVCI) broken down?

The charging station is the visible part of the project, but very often, the majority of the cost comes from the technical and operational work required to set up the infrastructure.

To better supervise your project, it is necessary to understand that the project is broken down into several major expenditure items and that each one has its importance in the project.

Electrical engineering work

This is often the most significant expense. It encompasses all the work required to bring electricity from your main electrical panel to the location of each outlet. The greater the distance, the higher the wiring cost. If your current electrical panel is already full or old, it may need to be expanded or upgraded, which will incur an additional cost.

Connection to the network

If the total power of your new charging stations exceeds the capacity of your current electrical connection, intervention by the network operator ( Enedis ) is mandatory. For significant needs, such as the installation of numerous charging stations or very powerful chargers, the creation of a completely new dedicated electricity meter (Delivery Point or PDL) is often necessary. This process is costly and can take several months, thus delaying your project if it is not planned in advance.

Installation, studies and project management: human expertise

You must factor in the costs associated with the expertise. This begins with a technical study of your site to properly size the project. Next comes the physical installation and configuration of the terminals by a qualified professional. For large-scale projects, hiring a project manager to coordinate all the trades involved is a guarantee of success.

The equipment

This item naturally includes the purchase of the charging station, the price of which varies depending on whether you choose a slow or fast charging station. But it also includes all the essential accessories for safety and operation, such as electrical protection devices (circuit breakers, residual current devices) and cables adapted to the chosen power level.

What are the steps to install an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI)?

Step 1: Conduct a preliminary technical audit

The audit allows us to analyze your site and your actual needs in order to properly size your infrastructure.

It allows us to assess the available electrical power and any necessary reinforcement, to define the exact number of charging stations according to the number of vehicles and their actual turnover, to understand the actual uses with the duration of parking, the frequency of charging and the peaks of consumption, and to anticipate future developments in the vehicle fleet.

The audit allows you to avoid two major additional costs:

  • Oversizing creates an excessive investment with a low ROI.
  • Inadequate equipment leads to rapid saturation, requiring reinvestment in the coming years.

Step 2 – Select the service provider

Choosing a certified EV charging infrastructure installer: a regulatory and technical imperative

Since decree no. 2017-26 of January 12, 2017, any installation of a charging station with a power output exceeding 3.7 kW must be carried out by a professional holding the IRVE (Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure) qualification. This legal requirement guarantees the installation's compliance with the NF C 15-100 electrical standard and ensures the safety of property and people.

Source: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/article_jo/JORFARTI000033860671

Step 3: Installation of charging stations

The installation takes place in three phases.

  • Phase 1: Civil engineering and infrastructure works

Civil engineering encompasses all the technical disciplines involved in the design and construction of infrastructure. Roads and utilities (VRD) cover site preparation and connections to networks.

Specifically, this work consists of digging trenches for cables, creating concrete foundations for freestanding terminals, and preparing cable and conduit paths.

  • Phase 2: Electrical Engineering Works

Electrical work includes pulling cables from the TGBT (General Low Voltage Panel = main electrical panel of the company), installing mandatory electrical protections (circuit breakers, differentials, surge arresters), connecting to the electrical panel, and setting up software supervision.

This phase begins with a complete electrical diagnosis. This includes assessing the available power at the main distribution board, identifying network reinforcement needs with Enedis, and appropriately sizing the cables according to the power of the planned charging stations.

If your site lacks sufficient electrical power, Enedis (public network manager) must intervene to strengthen the connection by installing a new delivery point (PDL).

  • Phase 3: Physical installation and testing

Once the terminals are fixed in the prepared locations and connected to the cables, the service provider performs functional and safety tests, then configures user access and pricing.

A certificate of conformity approved by Consuel must be obtained.

Consuel ( National Committee for the Safety of Electricity Users) is an official inspection body created in 1964 to guarantee the safety of electrical installations. A Consuel-appointed inspector inspects the installation to verify compliance with electrical safety standards, in particular standard NF C 15-100.

Step 4: Ensure the maintenance and supervision of your fleet

To guarantee a reliable and cost-effective service, a maintenance plan for your charging infrastructure is essential.

Regular visits (annually or semi-annually, depending on usage) to inspect mechanical components, check electrical connections, perform functional tests, and update software. This approach helps extend the lifespan of your equipment and minimize breakdowns.

Corrective maintenance is performed in the event of a malfunction. A good service provider should offer responsive after-sales service, with a technical hotline and guaranteed intervention times (SLA).

Finally, monitoring is the tool that allows you to manage your fleet on a daily basis. With management software, you can track consumption, manage user access, automate billing, and optimize energy distribution (smart charging). This is essential for controlling your operating costs and ensuring an optimal return on investment.

Get support in installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

In addition to greening the fleet , preparing a high-performance and sustainable charging infrastructure is an essential step.

FATEC provides comprehensive support in the installation of charging stations , sized according to your uses, on site or at the homes of employees.

Whether it's simplifying the daily charging of your vehicles or promoting the adoption of electric vehicles, our expertise guarantees a controlled and operational transition to electric mobility.

Contact FATEC!

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