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You’ve been following the electric vehicle (EV) market for a while, and you know it’s time to look into implementing EVs into your organization or fleet. So where do you start, and who can help with your EV charging needs? Below are five tips to consider when choosing an EV infrastructure partner.

1. Safety. Working with high voltage equipment in high traffic areas can pose safety concerns. For the safety of your team as well as customers/guests, it’s important to choose a partner that focuses on safety first and foremost. Ask questions about their recordable incident rate, lost-time injuries, etc., to be sure their safety record meets or exceeds industry standards.

2. Hardware and Software Options. If you are just starting on your EV journey, it’s important to work with an infrastructure partner who offers a variety of options rather than promoting one specific solution. The number of products coming to market is steadily increasing and technology is changing quickly; it’s important to have the flexibility to do what’s best for your business and have the ability to adapt as the market grows.

3. Energy Modeling Capabilities. Electric vehicle chargers can require a significant amount of power to operate. Choose a partner who can help you understand your current electrical capabilities and future requirements. At FTI, we gather your energy data and enter it into our Energy DNA™ modeling software. This shows the impact EV charging will have and enables us to make energy recommendations specific to your needs, including options that support demand reduction and which consider clean energy alternatives such as battery energy storage and solar.

4. Full-Solution Support. Let’s face it, EV charging infrastructure can be complex. Finding a partner who can support your needs from start to finish removes the stress. At FTI, our results-driven approach begins with an up-front assessment and conceptual design, and continues through utility coordination, installation, commissioning, warranty support and beyond. There are a number of steps throughout the EV implementation journey. Creating a relationship with a partner who can navigate the entire journey with you makes the process as efficient as possible, taking the load off of you and enabling you to continue to concentrate on running your business.

5. Long-Term Support. Your EV needs today will likely not be the same as your EV needs down the road. Choose a partner who can scale with you as your electric vehicle fleet grows and changes. You may start with a few vehicles and a basic charger to operate them, and having the power to support your short-term needs is important. However, developing infrastructure today that can expand as your fleet grows is critical and will save you time and money in the future.

At FTI, we work to make clean energy smarter. We’re happy to provide guidance on your EV journey, no matter where you are in the process. Contact us today and let us know how we can support your energy needs and goals.