With over 1.8 million Electric Vehicles (EVs) on UK roads, and more than one in five new car sales now electric, there is a growing need for property owners, agents and developers to make sure drivers have access to the charging infrastructure they need.

Craig Butler, property director at Electric Vehicle (EV) Charge Point Operator (CPO), Believ

Whether it’s at drive-thrus, road-side developments, retail parks, shopping centres or supermarkets, getting EV infrastructure right is essential not only to support the EV transition and the decarbonisation of transport, but also for maximising property value, appealing to tenants, and attracting EV drivers. Studies show that attracting and retaining EV driver loyalty increases frequency of visits, dwell times by 50%, and customer expenditure.

Drawing on industry experience and real-world examples, we’ve put together three practical ways that the property industry can ensure charging infrastructure delivers for everyone involved.

  1. Utilise industry expertise early

Successful EV infrastructure projects start with early engagement from charge point operators (CPOs) who understand not only the evolving EV charging landscape of grid access and site power capacity, planning logistics, regulatory compliance and legal structures, but also the specific needs of the retail and property markets. In practical terms, this early engagement means landlords benefit from an end-to-end service that considers what drivers need from EV charging, manages issues early and relieves what can be considerable resource burden.

An installation that demonstrates the value of this approach is the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park – IHG Hotels & Resorts’ flagship net zero carbon property. Believ provided technical insight from the outset, helping the hotel design an installation that worked for the available power capacity, and integrated multiple charger speeds tailored to diverse guest needs. This kind of collaboration not only minimises disruption and delays on site but also helps landlords and tenants maintain control over costs and project timelines. For drivers, the result is faster access to the charge points they need, exactly where they want them.

Believ’s new partnership with 9Yards, that will see a nationwide rollout of charge points at 12 of its sites, also shows how a CPO can work with landlords to ensure EV infrastructure complements existing assets and meets their specific needs.

2. Take a blended approach to charging

    A one-size-fits-all charging solution often doesn’t deliver the best outcome for property owners or users. The most successful installations consider dwell times, site purpose, and traffic profile, then provide the charging speeds and formats to match.

    A recent example is Believ’s partnership with the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Scotland. Here, both 22kW fast chargers and rapid 120kW chargers were deployed, reflecting the needs of overnight guests, restaurant visitors, and road-trippers on the North Coast 500. This blended approach allows for maximum utilisation of assets and ensures increased customer satisfaction, a win-win for both landlords and tenants aiming to increase footfall and revenue.

    Ultra-rapid technology was chosen at Believ’s new charging hub on the A96 near Aberdeen, because the ‘en-route’ location means drivers are looking for fast top ups. Important here, is giving drivers convenient access to amenities like a coffee shop so a 20-minute charging period is not perceived as a chore. For property partners, the ability to attract a broader range of users drives both loyalty and return on investment 

    3. Future-proof your installation

    Charge point installations not only carry considerable upfront capital investment, but charging infrastructure that works for landlords, tenants and drivers, must also factor in operation and maintenance from the outset.

    This requires significant investment and for the CPO to be financially secure enough to carry the upfront costs and ongoing operations until EV uptake hits critical mass.

    Financial security is also key for scalability, as robust capital reserves empower a CPO to grow its network, incorporate clean energy and invest in the best technology available. As most issues in charge point installations happen underground, having access to wider infrastructure rollout expertise, such as that seen with Believ’s relationship with sister company and delivery partner, Virgin media O2, is also a significant benefit.

    The challenge for the property sector is therefore discerning which CPOs have sufficient financial runway to deliver on their promises not just to install charge points, but to operate and maintain them in the long term. Three important tips for this include:

    • Conduct a thorough financial check, reviewing a CPO’s ability to commit sufficient capital to the project.
    • Assess the funding strategy to ensure the CPO is backed by strong, long-term equity and debt, not short-term return on investment.
    • Check that the CPO has sufficient in-house expertise to effectively support clients and deliver end-to-end solutions.

    As the EV charging market continues to evolve at pace, aligning the right charging solution with the right location is essential. Engaging early with a CPO that brings strong property insight and ensures a seamless delivery process, while carefully balancing the needs of tenants, drivers and landlords, will help unlock maximum value from the site.

    The right approach not only accelerates the rollout of much-needed infrastructure but delivers lasting benefits for property, people and the planet.