EV Charging, a Coveted Workplace Amenity, Isn't Keeping Pace with Demand

The amount of EV charging stations at U.S. workplaces is falling short of demand from drivers who want to charge while they’re at the office, according to a new report from CBRE and partner ChargePoint.

CBRE’s research has found that 70% of the more than 800 prime office buildings in the U.S.—high-quality buildings with modern amenities in sought-after locations—offer EV charging stations for their tenants. This underscores that EV charging can help building owners reach the top tier of tenant desirability.

From the occupier perspective, CBRE also found that 30% of companies with U.S. offices surveyed last year favor buildings that offer EV charging.

Meanwhile, ChargePoint, a leading provider of networked charging solutions for EVs, found that charging sessions across the thousands of U.S. office buildings it serves on the ChargePoint network increased nearly three times as fast (64% gain) in 2023 as did installation of new charging ports (22% gain). That means more drivers are angling to use each existing port; ChargePoint reports a ratio of 12 EV drivers per charging port at workplace buildings it served in 2023, up from eight per port in 2018-2019.

“Building owners and occupiers alike are adding amenities that encourage greater office attendance, and EV charging fits that need well,” said Scott Howard, CBRE Global Head of EV Charging. “EV drivers need to recharge – or top off – their vehicles far more frequently than do drivers of conventional vehicles. Thus, allowing employees and tenants to charge while they’re at work is a huge advantage, especially for drivers with longer commutes.”

Many employers or building owners take the extra step of making their chargers free for authorized users, typically employees, as an added enticement. That’s the case with 63% of the chargers on ChargePoint’s network.

“As more and more drivers embrace electric vehicles, it’s critical that charging be accessible anywhere a driver needs it,” said Rich Mohr, SVP, Americas at ChargePoint. “While workplaces have offered EV charging as a standard amenity for years, we’re seeing a clear need for more charging to meet the growing needs of employees who drive electric.”

To read the full report, click here.