This illustrative case study follows a fictional 80-person SME adding four load-managed 7kW AC bays to an existing private car park. A maximum demand review shows the building supply can support the group with dynamic balancing, avoiding an immediate DNO upgrade. Staff policy covers booking, overstay and whether charging is free during a three-month pilot. An OZEV workplace grant may reduce eligible per-socket costs if live rules fit, but civils and marking still sit mostly with the business; check GOV.UK. Utilisation data then decides whether phase two proceeds.
Illustrative brief
Twelve staff already drive plug-ins. Average dwell is 7.5 hours. The estate landlord consents to surface mounts on private land without a full planning application in this illustration, subject to marking and lighting notes.
Finance wants a pilot, not a twelve-bay speculative build.
Electrical approach
Four AC sockets share a controlled capacity budget with a site CT so kitchen peaks throttle charging automatically. Duct stubs are left for four more bays.
Accessible bay geometry is included from day one.
- O&M manual includes isolation steps
- Remote monitoring alerts facilities
- Commissioning test proves throttling
Money (illustrative)
Gross project cost covers chargers, feeder, marking, signage and software year one. A workplace grant line is shown only as a contingent offset pending GOV.UK confirmation of open status and per-socket value.
Board papers keep gross and net separate.
People and policy
A simple booking rule prevents all-day bay camping after a car reaches the target state of charge. Visitor use is banned during the pilot.
After 90 days, anonymous utilisation charts go to leadership.
Lessons labelled clearly
Four well-managed bays taught more than an unmeasured twelve-bay wish list. This narrative is illustrative, not a client case file.
Frequently asked questions
Why not install DC for staff?
Office dwell times usually make AC better value. DC suits shorter turns or public hubs.
Did the grant fund everything?
In realistic workplace maths, per-socket contributions rarely fund civils and software. Always check GOV.UK.
Is landlord consent always this easy?
No. Many leased parks need formal licences and reinstatement clauses.
Is this a real SME?
No. It is an illustrative composite.
Core buying guides
Start with these high-intent guides, then dig into the rest of the library.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide was written by the Local EV Installers Editorial Team. We compare official guidance, legislation and established consumer information, separate general information from project-specific advice, and show publication dates and sources. We do not accept installer accreditation claims at face value.