With thanks to Dan Lessiter, Head of Business Partnerships at Electric Vehicle (EV) charge point operator, Believ, for sharing his insight with Care Sector Hub.
Within a care home, health, comfort, and the well-being of residents are paramount, but care home management are also focused on the visitor experience, making it as convenient and stress-free as possible. This focus includes looking at parking and electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Given there are currently more than one million electric vehicles on UK roads, many visitors now drive an EV. And with the government ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles coming into play in the next decade, this figure is likely to increase significantly in the next five to ten years.
Care homes – and particularly the larger groups – are also increasingly looking to convert their own fleets over to electric vehicles. But in a period of rising operational and energy costs, some may question whether the time is right to invest in EV charging point infrastructure.
As well as the financial considerations, there may also be practical concerns. Depending on where care homes are situated, there may be legacy issues such as the ability to access sufficient power supplies and space for multiple charge points. Furthermore, sourcing the expertise to navigate the logistical and regulatory challenges associated with EV charging installations can be a daunting prospect.
The case for care homes
With the right charge point operator (CPO) as a partner however, and one that provides a bespoke end-to-end solution that is fully funded, the first of these issues is easily addressed; installation and maintenance costs do not have to fall to the care home at all.
CPOs can also address the practical issues, as they have the expertise and experience to specify and manage a charging solution that considers the local environment and the operational needs of the business. They can design solutions based on predicted use, space and power supplies, matched to an understanding of the charging behaviours of visitors and staff.
Crucially this results in ensuring the right speeds of charge points are installed in the right locations. A hardware agnostic CPO like Believ will be able to recommend the appropriate charge point speeds and equipment design without being wedded to specific technology or supplier. Visitors who may only be on the premise for an hour may need a rapid charger; whereas for staff who’re on site for an eight-hour shift, a slower charger may be more appropriate.
Care homes of all sizes – whether owner operated or part of a larger group – will all be focused on the resident and visitor experience. Some may see the provision of charging as adding to that experience; others may additionally see it as a revenue driving opportunity, helping to maximise their parking assets. Either strategy can be accommodated. And there are other benefits.
Not only will the deployment of EV charge points at care homes support residents and visitors with EVs, but for the larger groups in particular, investing in EV infrastructure will help to offset emissions and further their sustainability goals and ESG commitments.
Please visit https://www.believ.com/ to find out more.
