EV charging for businesses is no longer just about adding a couple of chargers and hoping they cover future demand. For many businesses, the real question is how many chargers the site should start with, who they are for, and how easily the setup can grow later. That matters whether the chargers are mainly for staff, visitors, company vehicles or a mix of all three.
It also matters because business charging is no longer a niche idea. The UK government’s Workplace Charging Scheme remains active for eligible organisations and can support up to 40 sockets across all sites, with funding of up to £500 per socket for eligible installations completed from 1 April 2026.
That support sits alongside clear evidence of continued workplace demand. As of 1 January 2026, the Workplace Charging Scheme statistics show that 67,290 sockets had been funded in workplace car parks, with 7,734 sockets funded in the previous 12 months.
At Story Electrical, our workplace EV charger installation work shows that businesses rarely need the same answer. From offices and depots in Peterborough to commercial sites across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, the right approach to EV charging for businesses depends on how the site operates now, how vehicles are used, and what growth looks like over the next few years.
Most businesses do not need to install the maximum number of EV chargers at the start. The right number depends on how many EVs use the site now, how long they stay parked, whether the chargers are for staff, visitors or fleet vehicles, and how easily the site can expand later.
Key Takeaways
- EV charging for businesses should be planned around real site use, not guesswork.
- The right number of chargers depends on whether they are mainly for staff, visitors, fleets or mixed use.
- Many businesses do not need to install the maximum number of chargers on day one.
- A phased approach often works better than over-installing too early.
- The Workplace Charging Scheme can support up to 40 sockets across all sites for eligible applicants.
- The wider charging market continues to grow, which makes early planning more useful for businesses expecting future EV demand.
- Good planning for EV charging for businesses should consider parking patterns, dwell time, fleet usage, electrical capacity and future expansion.
What EV Charging for Businesses Actually Needs to Cover
When businesses first start looking at EV charging for businesses, they often jump straight to the charger model or the speed of the units. In reality, the first question is simpler: who is actually going to use the chargers?
That may include:
- staff who park for a full working day
- visitors who stay for shorter periods
- company cars
- electric vans
- pool vehicles
- directors or managers with regular charging needs
- mixed-use users across the same site
A charging setup works best when it reflects how those vehicles really use the site. A staff car park where vehicles stay for seven to nine hours usually does not need exactly the same setup as a depot where fleet vans need predictable turnaround, or a visitor-facing site where dwell times are much shorter.
Why EV Charging for Businesses Needs the Right Number of Chargers
There is no universal number that fits every business.
A smaller office might only need one or two chargers to start with. A business park or shared office environment may need more. A depot with electric vans may need a completely different plan again, especially if multiple vehicles return at similar times and need charging before the next shift.
The right number usually comes down to a few practical questions:
- how many EVs already use the site
- how many are expected in the next 12 to 36 months
- whether the chargers are mainly for staff, visitors or fleet vehicles
- how long vehicles stay parked
- whether charging needs to happen during the day, overnight or both
- how many parking bays are realistically available
- how much spare electrical capacity the site has
- whether the site should be designed for phased expansion
This is where businesses often avoid costly mistakes by planning properly. Installing too few chargers can create frustration and future rework. Installing too many too early can tie up budget in infrastructure the site may not need yet.
EV Charging for Businesses for Staff, Visitors and Fleets
This is one of the biggest reasons charger numbers vary so much.
EV Charging for Businesses for Staff Parking
Staff vehicles often stay parked for long periods. That usually means the site can make better use of a smaller number of chargers than some businesses first assume. If vehicles are parked for most of the working day, charging does not always need to happen quickly.
EV Charging for Businesses for Visitor Parking
Visitor charging depends much more on dwell time. If visitors stay briefly, access and turnover matter more. If they stay longer, fewer chargers may still work well.
EV Charging for Businesses for Fleet Vehicles
Fleet charging is often the most operationally sensitive. Businesses need to think about:
- when vehicles return
- how many return together
- how much charge they need before the next journey
- whether vehicles stay overnight
- whether charging demand will grow quickly as more vehicles switch to electric
That is why fleet EV charging planning often needs a more site-specific review than simple staff parking. If your business is mainly planning around company vehicles, you may also find our guide to fleet EV charging installation for businesses useful.
Why Many Businesses Should Start With a Phased EV Charging Installation
One of the most practical approaches is to install the right number of chargers for current demand, while planning the wider setup so the site can grow later without starting again from scratch.
That might mean:
- installing a smaller number of live chargers now
- preparing the infrastructure for future chargers
- allowing for future cabling routes
- reviewing distribution capacity early
- making sure charger locations still make sense if usage grows
This is often a better use of the budget than installing more live chargers than the site will realistically use in the first phase.
It also helps avoid a common problem: a business installs a couple of chargers without thinking about expansion, then finds that the second phase is more disruptive or expensive than it needed to be.
Current Market Context Makes EV Charging for Businesses More Important
The wider charging market is still growing, which supports the case for more thoughtful business charging decisions now rather than later. According to Zapmap’s charging statistics, the UK public charging network grew from 102,771 chargers at the end of 2024 to 116,052 by the end of 2025.
That does not mean every business needs a large workplace charging rollout immediately. It does mean the direction of travel is clear. More employees, visitors and fleets will expect charging access over time, and businesses that plan early usually have more flexibility than businesses forced into a rushed decision later.
If you want a broader view of where workplace charging is heading, you can also read our article on EV charger installation for workplaces.
What a Business Should Assess Before Deciding How Many EV Chargers It Needs
Before deciding how many chargers to install, a business should review:
- how many electric vehicles already use the site
- how those vehicles use the site across the week
- how long vehicles stay parked
- whether chargers are mainly for staff, visitors or fleets
- how the parking layout affects charger placement
- whether electrical capacity supports current and future demand
- whether the business wants a phased rollout
- whether grant funding may apply
The Workplace Charging Scheme is useful here because it supports eligible workplace installations up to 40 sockets across all sites, not just one location. That can help businesses plan charging more strategically across a wider estate rather than treating each site in isolation.
For businesses in Peterborough and across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, early planning often makes the difference between a clean phased EV charger installation and a more expensive upgrade later.
So, How Many EV Chargers Does a Business Need?
The honest answer is: enough to support current use properly, without blocking sensible growth later.
Some businesses may only need one or two chargers in the first phase. Others may need several dual chargers, especially where there is mixed use across staff, visitors and company vehicles. On fleet-heavy sites, charger numbers often depend more on operational patterns than headcount.
In practice, the right number usually comes from balancing:
- current EV use
- expected growth
- charger dwell time
- electrical capacity
- parking layout
- budget
- future expansion
That is why EV charging for businesses works best when it is planned around how the site really functions, not around a generic number copied from another business.
EV Charging for Businesses in Peterborough and Surrounding Areas
Story Electrical supports EV charging for businesses in Peterborough and across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
We help businesses assess practical questions such as:
- how many chargers to install first
- whether staff, visitor and fleet charging should be separated
- how charger locations affect daily use
- whether the site should be phased for future growth
- how the electrical infrastructure supports the project
For commercial sites, the goal is not just to install chargers. It is to install the right charging setup for the way the business actually works.
Get in Touch
Story Electrical – EV Charging for Businesses in Peterborough
If your business is planning EV charging for businesses and needs help deciding how many chargers to install for staff, visitors or fleet vehicles, we’re happy to discuss the right approach for your site. We support businesses across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire with practical EV charging solutions tailored to real operational needs.
Story Electrical – Commercial and Domestic Electrician
Address: Unit 14, Spitfire Business Park, Northfield Road, Market Deeping, Peterborough PE6 8WE, United Kingdom
Call Us: 01733 913133
About the Author
Mark Story is the founder and director of Story Electrical. His work supports commercial clients across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, with practical electrical solutions tailored to real working environments. That includes EV charging for businesses, commercial charging infrastructure planning, and wider support for businesses installing EV chargers for staff, visitors and fleet vehicles.
Mark is directly involved in planning and delivering electrical work that helps businesses make practical decisions about EV charging capacity, charger numbers, electrical infrastructure and future expansion. He focuses on workplace charging solutions that reflect the way commercial sites actually operate, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Under Mark’s leadership, Story Electrical supports businesses across Peterborough and throughout Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and surrounding areas, while staying true to the values of quality, safety and customer satisfaction that define the company. Story Electrical works to BS standards and holds NAPIT certification, supporting commercial and industrial clients with practical electrical solutions that support safe operation, compliance and long-term reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many EV chargers should a business install?
A business should install enough chargers to support current demand properly while allowing for sensible future growth. The right number depends on how many EVs use the site, how long they stay parked, and whether the chargers are mainly for staff, visitors or fleets.
Can a business install EV chargers in phases?
Yes. Many businesses start with a smaller number of live chargers and prepare the site for future expansion. That often gives better flexibility and avoids over-installing too early.
Do staff and fleet vehicles need the same charging setup?
Not always. Staff vehicles often stay parked longer, while fleet vehicles may need more predictable charging windows and a setup built around operational turnaround.
Does grant funding still exist for workplace EV charger installation?
Yes. The Workplace Charging Scheme remains available for eligible organisations and can support up to 40 sockets across all sites, with up to £500 per socket for eligible installations completed from 1 April 2026.
What should a business assess before installing workplace EV chargers?
A business should look at current EV numbers, expected future demand, parking duration, site layout, electrical capacity, user type and whether the installation should be phased.
