Nine Questions and Answers on the Construction and Operation of Charging Stations

Steps to Build a Charging Station

Building a charging station involves six main steps: Preparation → Filing → Land Review → Planning Review → Power Application → Final Approval.

Preparation: Before starting, inspect potential sites like open spaces or parking lots. Sign a cooperation agreement with the landowner. Determine the scale and number of charging piles based on the site and traffic flow. Set a project budget.

Filing: Once the prep work is done, file with the provincial and city regulatory platforms. Submit materials to the local development and reform commission. After departmental approvals, receive the filing certificate.

Land Review: With the filing certificate, go to the land resources bureau for land legality review. Confirm land nature and ownership.

Planning Review: After land legality is confirmed, get the land use reviewed by the planning bureau to ensure no conflicting future plans for the site.

Power Application: Once the above steps are done, take the gathered documents to the power bureau for application. After approval, get the necessary documents and proceed with construction.

Final Approval: After construction, the power company will inspect the station, including signs, fire equipment, etc. Once the inspection is passed and power is connected, a third-party agency will test the charging piles and provide a report. Then, you can start operations.

Components of an Electric Vehicle Charging Station

A charging station includes the power supply system, charging equipment, monitoring system, and supporting facilities. It has four sub-modules: power distribution system, charging system, battery scheduling system, and monitoring system.

A complete charging station consists of five parts: distribution room, central monitoring room, charging area, battery replacement area, and battery maintenance room.

Power Supply System:Includes distribution transformers, distribution cabinets, and metering devices.
Charging System:Includes charging piles, off-board chargers, metering devices, and battery replacement equipment.
Monitoring System:Includes security monitoring and charging monitoring systems.
Supporting Facilities:Include fire safety facilities, charging work areas, and station buildings. Some stations also have entertainment, dining, and rest areas.

Components of an AC Charging Pile

Main Structure:

Pile Body:Made of durable materials like steel or aluminum.
Charging Module:Core part, including the charger, controller, and power supply.
Display Screen:Shows status, progress, and costs, with some having touchscreens.
Billing Management Module:Calculates and processes payment, prints receipts.
Connection Cables:Bridge between the pile and EV, with some having auto-retractors.
Safety Devices:Includes leak, overcurrent, and overvoltage protection.

Pile Body:

Constructed from materials like steel and aluminum for durability and stability.

Charging Module:

Charger:Converts electrical energy for the EV.
Controller:Manages charger operations and parameters for safety.
Power Supply:Provides electricity to the module.

Display Screen:

Displays status, progress, and costs. Some are touchscreens for easier interaction.

Billing Management Module:

Calculates cost based on real-time prices and consumption. Uses a controller and printer to handle transactions and print receipts.

Connection Cables:

Transfers power and data between the pile and EV. Quality and length affect efficiency and safety. Some piles have auto-retractors for convenience.

Safety Devices:

Includes protection against leaks, overcurrent, and overvoltage to ensure safety.

Site Selection for Charging Stations

Selecting the right location is crucial. Consider these points:

High EV Traffic Areas:Look for places with high EV traffic and a stable user base.
Parking Convenience:Ensure easy parking to avoid charging delays and queues. Control parking spaces to avoid being blocked by non-EVs.
Nearby Amenities:Check for nearby rest areas, toilets, and restaurants to meet user needs during charging.
Avoid Residential Areas:Prefer ground-level sites over underground, and avoid locations near residential areas to reduce opposition and safety risks. Maintain a distance of over 100 meters from residential zones to avoid noise and radiation complaints.
Clear Land Ownership:Choose land with clear industrial, commercial, or construction use. Avoid agricultural land and secure long-term leases.
Low Cost of High/Low Voltage Installation:Choose sites with low transformer costs and advantageous electricity prices.
Good Drainage System:Ensure the site has effective drainage to prevent electrical hazards. Prefer high ground to avoid water accumulation.
Local Policies:Consider local subsidies and policies favoring new charging infrastructure.

Overall, site selection is critical and should be done carefully. Ensure fire safety, access to power, and other regulatory requirements are met. While not all conditions must be fulfilled, it’s essential to adapt to the local context to maximize the station’s advantages, minimize costs, and increase revenue.

What to Consider When Constructing a Charging Station

Choose Open Spaces:Install in open areas to comply with fire regulations.
Voltage Matching:Ensure power supply voltage matches the battery voltage to maintain charging efficiency.
Wastewater System:Have a proper drainage system to prevent flooding of charging piles during rain.
Electrical Protection:Implement protections against overload, short circuits, and leakage.
Weather Protection:For outdoor piles, safeguard against bad weather (storms, lightning) and battery overheating.
Stable Foundations:Use materials like concrete or steel plates for a stable base.

How to Efficiently Operate a Charging Station

Initial Stage:

Customer Incentives:Offer rewards like charging coupons for recharges or sharing. These can keep customers coming back.
Value Discounts:Provide value discounts to attract repeat customers.
Third-Party Integration:Use third-party platforms to draw in more customers.

Mid-Stage:

Customer Service:Focus on excellent service and understanding customer needs.
Feedback:Engage with drivers and owners to gather feedback and improve services.
Active Engagement:Staff should actively listen and communicate with users to ensure a complete and satisfying service.

Key Factors for Charging Station Operations

Promotion:

Pre-Opening: Hand out small gifts, connect on social media, and organize pre-launch events in local groups.

Post-Opening: Hold activities like prize draws and giveaways to create buzz.

Service:

Customer Experience: Good service sets stations apart, especially with proper facilities.

Facilities:

Convenience: Provide restrooms, lounges, vending machines, and convenience stores. While facilities are important, exceptional service is irreplaceable.

How Do EV Owners Find Charging Stations?

Car Brand Resources:Use the brand’s app, website, or in-car screen.
Map Apps:Search for “charging station” on map apps like Google Maps or Baidu Maps.
Third-Party Apps:Use dedicated apps like eCharge, FastCharge, and New Power Path.

Current Pain Points for EV Owners When Charging

According to a survey by the Autohome Research Institute, EV owners face five main issues:

Charging Costs:

Reasonableness of Fees:Users are most dissatisfied with charging fees. Older users, those living in lower-tier cities, and owners of lower-priced cars are more sensitive to costs. Inconsistent pricing standards and high fees for branded charging stations are core concerns.

Public Charging Facility Usage and Management:

Specific Complaints:Users often encounter occupied charging spots and broken or malfunctioning chargers. In higher-tier cities, issues with charger maintenance and information signage are more common, while in lower-tier cities, spot occupancy and substandard chargers are bigger problems.

Charging Duration:

Time Efficiency:Older users demand faster charging times, and budget car owners, including rideshare drivers, prioritize efficiency. They have low tolerance for long queues.

Distribution and Quantity of Charging Points:

Core Issues:A shortage of highway chargers and uneven distribution in cities. On highways, demand spikes during holidays, leading to underutilized chargers during off-peak times and overwhelmed chargers during peak times. Nearly 80% of users prefer charging within a 3-kilometer radius.

Charging Platform/App Usage:

App Issues:Lack of interoperability between platforms, incomplete app features, inability to make reservations, and inaccurate information display are significant pain points. Younger users are frustrated with inaccurate app information, while those over 50 struggle with switching between multiple platforms, especially when traveling across provinces.