For many Surrey businesses, EV charging is becoming more than an environmental statement. It is a practical way to improve the customer experience, support employees and prepare commercial premises for changing transport habits.
Destination charging is particularly relevant in Redhill, Reigate, Merstham, Salfords and along the A23/M23 corridor, where drivers may already be spending an hour, or several hours, at a business, workplace or leisure facility.
Unlike a rapid charger on a major route, a destination charger is designed to work while someone is shopping, training, eating, working or staying overnight.
What is destination EV charging?
Destination charging usually means installing lower-power AC chargepoints, typically rated between 7kW and 22kW. Vehicles remain connected for longer, so there is generally no need for expensive rapid-charging equipment.
A 7kW charger can provide a useful top-up during a 60–90-minute gym session, while an 11kW or 22kW three-phase charger may suit a workplace, hotel or retail car park where several vehicles are parked throughout the day.
That makes destination charging different from a home charging point Surrey homeowners might install for overnight use. Commercial charging must consider multiple users, access control, payment, bay turnover, electrical capacity and the wider operation of the site.
Why are Surrey businesses installing chargers in 2026?
The business case is not always based on charging revenue alone.
Improving dwell time and customer loyalty
A customer who is waiting for a vehicle to charge may spend longer in a café, browse more of a shop or return more regularly to a gym. “Charge while you shop, train or eat” is becoming a familiar behaviour.
For hospitality and retail businesses, the charger can form part of the overall customer experience. It may help a business stand out when nearby competitors offer similar products or services.
Supporting employees and attracting staff
Workplace charging can be useful for employees who drive electric cars, particularly where public transport connections are limited or staff work long shifts. It can also support recruitment and retention by demonstrating that a business is responding to practical sustainability expectations.
Employers may choose to offer charging free of charge, subsidise it or recover costs through a managed payment system.
Charging fleet vehicles at the premises
Businesses with company cars, service vehicles or electric vans may benefit from charging at their own yard or workplace. AC charging is often suitable where vehicles return to base overnight or remain parked during the working day.
The electrical design still needs to allow for other demands, including machinery, refrigeration, kitchen equipment and heating systems.
Supporting ESG and sustainability reporting
Businesses are increasingly asked to report on energy use, carbon reduction and environmental progress. A well-planned charging installation can form part of a broader sustainability programme alongside LED lighting, improved controls and energy-efficient building services.
It is not a substitute for reducing energy consumption, but it can provide a visible and measurable improvement.
Which Redhill businesses benefit most?
Destination charging tends to work best where vehicles are parked for a predictable period.
- Gyms and fitness centres: A 60–90-minute workout matches the useful charging window of a 7kW AC unit.
- Restaurants and coffee shops: Chargers can encourage customers to stay, return and choose the venue for longer visits.
- Retail and hospitality businesses: Shopping trips, appointments and leisure visits provide natural charging time.
- Offices and business units: Premises around Holmethorpe and Salfords may use chargers for staff, visitors and company vehicles.
- Healthcare and dental practices: Patients and employees may appreciate charging during appointments or shifts.
- Schools: Staff charging and future-ready site planning may be more relevant than public access.
- Hotels and pubs with rooms: Overnight and evening stays are a natural fit for AC destination charging.
- Short-term lets and holiday accommodation: A charger can make a property more attractive to EV-driving guests.
The same principle applies across Redhill, Reigate, Merstham, Earlswood, Meadvale, Nutfield and the wider A23/M23 corridor: the longer people remain on the premises, the more suitable destination charging becomes.
The commercial electrical realities
Installing a charger is not simply a matter of fixing a unit to a wall and running a cable.
Single-phase or three-phase supply?
A single-phase supply will commonly support 7kW AC charging. Three-phase supplies can support higher-rated 11kW or 22kW units, subject to the charger, vehicle and available capacity.
However, a three-phase connection does not automatically mean that a site can install several 22kW chargers. The incoming supply, main switchgear, distribution boards and existing demand must all be assessed.
Load management and dynamic load balancing
Chargers must not compete with kitchen equipment, HVAC systems, lifts, refrigeration or machinery for the same available capacity.
Load management can reduce charging power temporarily when the building is using more electricity. Dynamic load balancing monitors demand and adjusts the chargers automatically. This may avoid an unnecessary supply upgrade and reduce the risk of nuisance tripping.
DNO requirements and distribution boards
Depending on the size and arrangement of the installation, the Distribution Network Operator may require notification or prior approval. A straightforward installation may be notified, while a larger or more complex scheme may need approval before work starts.
An electrician should also check whether the distribution board has enough capacity, suitable protective devices and spare ways. If not, the design may require a new distribution board, sub-main or dedicated electrical enclosure.
Cable routes and protection
Commercial cable runs can cross yards, car parks and forecourts. Steel wire armoured cable, often referred to as SWA, may be used where suitable, with cable ducts beneath traffic areas or hardstanding.
Bollards and protective posts can help prevent impact damage. Outdoor equipment must be correctly sited with an appropriate IP rating, away from vehicle strike zones and areas prone to standing water.
Clear signage, bay markings and lighting also matter. Good illumination improves safety and makes the chargers easier to find after dark. ADS Electrical can coordinate EV charging with LED car park lighting, including lighting design and installation.
OCPP and back-office software
For customer or staff charging, the hardware is only part of the system. OCPP-compatible chargers can connect to back-office software for:
- Payment collection
- RFID or app-based access
- Staff-only or visitor access
- Usage monitoring
- Energy and carbon reporting
- Fault alerts
- Charging history and revenue reports
A business should decide early whether the chargers will be free, restricted to employees or open to customers.
Planning the bays properly
The number of chargers should reflect expected demand rather than available parking alone. Two well-used bays may provide better value than six chargers that remain empty for most of the week.
Businesses should consider:
- How long vehicles normally stay
- Whether bays will be shared or reserved
- How quickly users need to rotate
- Whether wider accessible bays are required
- Where pedestrians will walk around parked vehicles
- How cables will be protected from trip and vehicle hazards
- Whether future chargers can be added
Passive ducting can be installed during initial groundworks, allowing extra chargers to be added later without excavating the car park again. This can be a sensible option where demand is uncertain.
Business parks may also require landlord or leaseholder consent, wayleaves, approval from a managing agent or agreement between multiple occupiers. These issues should be resolved before ordering equipment.
What does commercial EV charger installation cost?
Costs vary significantly with cable distance, civil works, electrical capacity, charger specification and software requirements. As an indicative guide, a straightforward commercial 7–22kW installation may cost around £2,000–£5,000 per charging point.
A two- to four-bay installation may fall broadly in the region of £6,000–£15,000, although major cable routes, car park excavation, new switchgear or supply upgrades can increase the total substantially. Figures should be treated as budgeting guidance rather than a quotation, and VAT and software charges may apply.
Per-bay costs often fall as the number of chargers increases because design, mobilisation, cable routes and groundwork are shared.
The financial return should also be assessed in two ways:
- Direct charging revenue: income after electricity, payment processing, software and maintenance costs.
- Business value: additional visits, longer dwell time, employee benefits, customer retention and sustainability credentials.
For many gyms, cafés and retailers, the second category may be more important. A staged rollout (installing a modest number of chargers, monitoring usage and expanding later) usually carries less risk than a large initial installation.
Business charging grants and workplace support schemes change regularly. Eligibility, funding levels and approved equipment should be checked against current official guidance, such as the GOV.UK workplace charging information, before a project is budgeted.
The honest challenges
Destination charging is not automatically worthwhile for every site.
Low utilisation can make a large installation difficult to justify. Hardware and software may also evolve, while exposed cables and chargepoints can be vulnerable to vandalism or accidental vehicle damage.
Demand may be uneven, with several vehicles charging at once during a shift change or busy evening. This is why a proper capacity assessment is important. Getting the electrical design right at the beginning can avoid expensive remedial work later.
Businesses should also consider who will own the equipment, who will deal with customer queries, how faults will be reported and whether a maintenance agreement is needed.
Why use an NICEIC Approved Contractor?
Commercial EV charging involves more than connecting a unit. The installation may affect the site’s distribution system, operational continuity, fire strategy, access arrangements and future capacity.
An NICEIC Approved Contractor can assess the existing installation, design suitable protection, complete testing and provide the correct certification. For commercial premises, it is also valuable to have one contractor managing the electrical work, charger installation, lighting, other trades and project communication.
ADS Electrical provides commercial electrical services from design through to installation. The team offers free quotes within 24 hours, free lighting design consultations, full project management, coordination with other trades and 24-hour emergency call-outs.
ADS Electrical serves Redhill, Reigate, Merstham, Earlswood, Meadvale, Nutfield, Salfords, Whitebushes, Linkfield and St John’s, as well as surrounding Surrey areas.
FAQs
Are 7kW chargers suitable for a business?
Yes. They are often suitable where customers, staff or visitors remain on site for several hours. Higher power is not always better if vehicles are parked for a long time.
Do commercial chargers need a three-phase supply?
No. Single-phase supplies can support 7kW charging. Three-phase may be suitable for 11kW or 22kW equipment, subject to the available capacity and charger compatibility.
Can chargers be installed at a rented commercial property?
Usually, but landlord, leaseholder, managing agent and freeholder permissions may be required. Wayleaves and parking agreements may also need to be considered.
Should a business install all its chargers at once?
Not necessarily. A staged installation with passive ducting and a monitored first phase can reduce financial risk where future demand is uncertain.
How can I find electric car charger installers Surrey businesses can rely on?
Choose an appropriately qualified electrical contractor with commercial experience, clear certification procedures and the ability to assess the whole site, not just the chargepoint location.
Is destination charging worth it for your business?
Destination charging is most suitable for Surrey businesses with regular customer, staff or fleet parking lasting at least an hour. It is particularly attractive where the charger can improve the customer experience, support workplace policies or form part of a wider electrical upgrade.
It is less suitable where vehicles stop only briefly, parking turnover is already difficult or the available electrical capacity is limited without major investment.
For a considered assessment, contact ADS Electrical on 07870 554498 or request a quote through the company’s EV charging solutions Redhill service. ADS Electrical can assess the supply, plan the bays, coordinate lighting and other trades, and provide a practical route from initial design to completed installation.