Why Commercial EV Charging Is Becoming a Must-Have in California

Electric vehicles aren’t “the future” anymore, they’re here, they’re growing fast, and California is leading the charge. For businesses, that means one thing: EV charging infrastructure is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s becoming an operational requirement.

Whether you manage a commercial property, run a retail center, operate a fleet, or oversee a corporate facility, EV charging now plays a growing role in customer attraction, employee satisfaction, operational planning, and long-term property value.

This article breaks down why commercial EV charging matters, how adoption is changing the way businesses operate, and why partnering with Burge Energy ensures your charging infrastructure is designed right from day one.

What EV Charging Is and Why It Matters for Businesses

EV charging comes in three common formats:

• Level 2 Chargers
  Great for workplaces, retail centers, apartments, and day-time destinations.
  Delivers 20–40 miles of range per hour.

• DC Fast Chargers (DCFC)
  High-powered chargers that deliver 150–350 kW or more.
  Designed for fleet depots, commercial corridors, and high-traffic sites.

EV adoption is climbing fast across California because of:

• State incentives

• Corporate sustainability goals

• Rising fuel costs

• Fleet electrification

• Local emissions regulations

• A growing EV-driving workforce and customer base

Businesses offering charging have a clear advantage not in five years, but right now.

How EV Adoption Is Impacting Commercial & Industrial Properties

EV charging touches nearly every type of commercial property. The impact goes far beyond just “offering a plug.”

1. Attracting Customers and Tenants

Retail centers, hotels, and shopping plazas with EV chargers see higher:

• Customer dwell time

• Repeat visits

• Tenant satisfaction

People stay longer, spend more, and choose locations that support EVs.

2. Increasing Employee Satisfaction

Employees increasingly expect charging options at work.
Offering chargers is now similar to offering Wi-Fi basic infrastructure.

3. Supporting Fleet Electrification

Delivery fleets, service vehicles, and municipal fleets need dependable charging.
Without it, fleet operations can’t scale.

4. Future-Proofing Property Value

Real estate investors view EV charging as essential infrastructure, not an upgrade.
Properties without it risk falling behind market expectations.

5. Meeting Local Regulations

California cities are introducing building code requirements and minimum EV charging ratios.
Businesses that upgrade early avoid costly retrofits later.

EV charging is becoming a critical part of how commercial properties function and remain competitive.

How Solar, Battery Storage, and EV Charging Work Together

Installing EV chargers without planning for the electrical load can lead to:

• High demand charges

• Peak usage penalties

• Expensive utility upgrades

• Operational constraints

This is why smart businesses integrate EV charging with solar and battery storage.

✔ Solar reduces the cost of powering EV chargers

Every kilowatt-hour generated on-site reduces what you pay the utility.

✔ Batteries prevent EV charging spikes

Fleet charging and public-use chargers can create massive demand spikes.
A battery smooths these spikes, lowering demand charges and stabilizing energy costs.

✔ Solar + storage supports fast charging

DC Fast Chargers often require heavy infrastructure.
Batteries can support high-power charging without oversizing utility service.

✔ Facilities gain more energy independence

You can charge vehicles using your own clean energy instead of buying expensive peak-rate power.

This combination solar + storage + EV charging is becoming the gold standard for California businesses.

Financial Benefits of Installing EV Charging

EV charging provides direct and indirect financial value:

✔ Higher property value

Properties with charging infrastructure command stronger lease rates and long-term desirability.

✔ Increased foot traffic & customer spending

Retail centers see longer dwell time, which increases sales.

✔ Revenue generation

Many sites choose to:

• Charge users per kWh

• Offer subscription charging

• Use time-based pricing

• Include charging as a paid amenity

✔ Reduced fuel expenses for fleets

Electrified fleets save significantly on fuel and maintenance.

✔ Lower operational costs with solar + storage

Offset charging with on-site clean energy.

Overall, the ROI is strong, especially when incentives are factored in.

California Incentives for EV Charging

California offers some of the strongest incentives in the country for commercial EV charging:

Statewide & Federal Programs

• Federal tax credits for commercial EV infrastructure

• Utility-specific EV charging rebates

• Funding through programs like CEC, CALeVIP, and local air districts

Utility Programs

Many utilities provide rebates for:

• Charger hardware

• Installation

• Demand management

• Load monitoring equipment

These programs can cover a significant portion of EV charging costs, especially when paired with solar + storage incentives.

Burge Energy manages the entire incentive process to ensure your project receives the maximum available support.

Operational & Reliability Benefits

A well-designed EV charging system brings operational advantages:

• Supports fleet reliability and predictable charging schedules

• Reduces grid stress during peak hours using batteries

• Enables smart charging management

• Reduces the risk of unexpected electrical upgrades

• Allows businesses to control charging costs

• Improves overall site efficiency

When paired with an energy management strategy, EV charging becomes an asset, not a load.

Technical Considerations for Commercial EV Charging

Commercial EV charging requires thoughtful engineering. Burge Energy evaluates:

• Existing electrical service size

• Peak demand profile

• Available capacity without triggering utility upgrades

• On-site solar potential

• Battery storage requirements

• Charging speed and load distribution

• ADA compliance

• Trenching and site layout

• Networking and software considerations

• Long-term fleet or tenant growth

There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The right design depends on how your facility operates and what your future energy needs look like.

Why Burge Energy Is the Right Partner

Businesses choose Burge Energy because we understand the reality of commercial operations in California. We engineer EV charging systems that are financially smart, technically sound, and built to support your long-term energy strategy.

We provide:

• Expert guidance on charger selection (Level 2 vs DC Fast Charging)

• Full turnkey EPC: engineering, procurement, construction

• Solar + battery integration

• Incentive management from start to finish

• Honest assessments and realistic expectations

• High-quality workmanship and reliable installation

• A partner who understands real-world facility operations

We don’t sell chargers, we build complete energy solutions that make EV charging affordable, reliable, and future-proof.

Conclusion + CTA

EV charging is no longer optional for California businesses. It's becoming a baseline expectation for customers, employees, tenants, and fleets. The companies that build charging infrastructure now will be positioned for stronger property value, lower operational costs, and long-term competitiveness.

To explore Solar, Battery Storage, or EV Charging solutions for your facility, schedule a consultation with Burge Energy today.