Guide to Installing Public EV Charging Stations

As electric vehicle (EV) adoption grows, public charging stations are becoming more essential. This practical guide covers everything you need to know before installing public EV charging stations. 

Why should I install a public EV charging station?

Every EV charging project should begin with a clear purpose.

• Improve visitor experience: Prioritizing convenience over profit may be the right strategy for public locations where guests expect EV charging.
• Generate revenue: For public parking, an effective pricing strategy attracts customers and keeps operations profitable.
• Meet sustainability goals: For properties with environmental targets, installing EV charging stations can demonstrate a commitment to a sustainable future.

Defining your goal early helps you decide how many chargers you need, what type, and how you’ll price them.

Understanding EV charger duration and location patterns

Two of the key factors in planning for installing public EV charging stations include how long vehicles stay parked, and where they are parked.

Duration of stay

• Long stays: Level 2 AC chargers make sense because cars are parked long enough to recharge slowly and efficiently.
• Short visits: A mix of Level 2 and Level 3 charging options provides guests charging flexibility.
• High-turnover visits: Level 3 DC fast chargers are often expected at these locations with rapid and frequent traffic because drivers want to charge quickly and continue their trips.

Location of stay

Level 2 chargers are commonly installed in these public charging locations:

• Condos, stratas, apartment buildings
• Workplaces
• Commercial properties and retail centres
• Public parking lots
• Hotels
• Restaurants

Level 3 chargers are commonly installed in these public charging locations:

• Highway rest stops
• Fleet depots
• Gas stations
• Municipal or government facilities
• Commercial properties and retail centres
• Public parking lots

Matching charger speed to typical parking behaviour helps you avoid overpaying for equipment that guests won’t need.

Generate revenue from public EV charging stations

Discover how to turn your public chargers into an EV-ready revenue stream. Book a consultation with one of our EV experts today to have all your questions answered.

How to choose the right EV charger for your property

EV charger types vary, and each comes with its own pros and cons.

• Level 2 AC chargers: Affordable, dependable, and ideal for most public settings where cars are parked for longer hours.
• Level 3 DC fast chargers: Much faster, but more expensive and demanding on electrical infrastructure, best for busy sites.

Learn more:

Difference Between Level 1, 2 and 3 Charging

Load evaluation

Hire a qualified electrical engineer early to assess your power supply, including:

• How much spare capacity you have after other building loads (like HVAC).
• Whether utility upgrades or transformer changes are needed.
• What permits and safety inspections your local authority requires.

Failing to do this up front can stall a project or become costly overtime.

Learn more:

Why You Need a Load Evaluation Before Installing EV Chargers

Use smart load management

With smart load management, you can make the most of your property’s power, charging multiple EVs efficiently and safely while staying within your property’s electrical capacity.

Smart load management can:

• Distribute available power among chargers in real time
• Prevent tripped breakers during peak demand
• Let you install more chargers than your raw capacity would otherwise allow

Learn more:

Power Management System for EV Charging

Use a software management system

An EV charging software management system manages the back end of a charger or network of chargers. Key features include:

• Real‑time visibility into charger usage
• Remote diagnostics and alerts
• Power-management
• Billing, pricing, and access control

A software management system provides essential features for information to be accessed and controlled all in one space.

Seamless user experience

Public charging should be simple and stress‑free for guests. There should be:

• Clear signage: Help drivers find chargers quickly and clearly instruct the driver on how to use the charger
• Easy activation: Use a QR-based charging software that opens a simple browser payment page, no app required.
• Transparent pricing: Show costs before a session begins.

User‑friendly design builds loyalty and encourages repeat use, which helps to drive revenue for your property.

Long-term operations

Build in room to expand by installing empty conduits during construction, planning for future electrical capacity, and choosing modular charging stations that can scale as demand increases. Keep drivers happy with reliable public EV charging stations and ongoing support, and avoid vendor lock-in so your software can evolve along with the technology.

Related:

The Importance of Implementing Scalable EV Charging Infrastructure

Thinking about installing public EV charging stations for your property?

metroEV specializes in turnkey EV charger installations across Canada. We handle everything, from electrical assessments and rebate applications to electrical design, installation, and ongoing customer support.

We work with commercial landlords, parking operators, developers, and municipalities to make EV charging easy, future-ready, and profitable. Contact metroEV to get a customized EV charging quote for your property.

Learn more:
EV Charging for Property Managers: 4 Key Considerations
Electric Vehicle Charging Load Management: What Property Managers Need to Know
EV Charger Load: Why You Need a Load Evaluation Before Installing EV Chargers

Explore:
EV Charging for Businesses
EV Charging for Fleets
EV Charging for Property Developers
EV Charger Rebates in Canada