EV solutions for commercial property are no longer just a perk. They're a competitive differentiator. According to research firm Nareit, commercial real estate in the United States was valued at nearly $21 trillion in the second quarter of 2021 and the race to attract and retain tenants has never been more competitive. Commercial real estate owners and investors are increasingly turning to EV charging infrastructure as a high-ROI way to increase property value while meeting growing tenant and visitor demand. Here are five benefits of installing EV charging stations for business properties and why acting now makes financial sense.
Who benefits from commercial EV charging infrastructure?
Virtually any type of commercial property would benefit from installing EV charging infrastructure. Some specific types that would see a boost in value include:
Standalone retail stores
Warehouses
Garages
Basically, any property where tenants rent, lease space, and/or provide a service would benefit from having EV chargers installed.
Five benefits of EV charging for commercial real estate
There are five reasons to install EV charging stations at commercial real estate properties: attracting customers and employees, generating revenue, increasing property value, staying ahead of EV adoption, and promoting environmental leadership.
Attracting customers, clients, and employees
McKinsey estimates there will be 48 million EVs on US roads by 2030. Many of those drivers will look for businesses where they can charge their vehicles, especially when they will be parked for an extended period. Commercial properties that provide charging options will win EV drivers away from other businesses that don’t offer charging. Likewise, job candidates who own EVs are more likely to choose a company where they can charge their vehicle throughout the workday. PwC estimates that by 2030, 17% of all charging points will be at workplaces. In a US Department of Energy report, 80% of workplaces surveyed said on-site EV charging had helped them attract and retain top talent. In today’s competitive job market, businesses need innovative benefits that will help them hire the best employees. Installing EV chargers for your commercial tenants can help attract companies that are looking for this valuable amenity.
Adding additional revenue streams
While EV charging stations can increase commercial lease renewals, they can also add ancillary revenue for public users. In particular, retail and mixed-use commercial properties can benefit from attracting drivers and monetizing parking. With a current shortfall of public chargers in a large portion of the United States, commercial real estate owners can help make up that shortfall by installing public chargers in their parking lots. One of the best parts about commercial EV charging stations is that they can increase revenue. Not only will EV drivers spend more time shopping at a retail store as they wait for their vehicle to complete charging, but property managers can also monetize their parking. While some commercial properties offer free charging, the Blink Network allows property managers to set energy usage or hourly fees, creating a direct commercial EV charging station profit opportunity on top of the ancillary revenue EV drivers bring through increased dwell time.
Increasing property value
Property improvements like electric vehicle charging, smart technology, or LEED certification can help increase property value (and commercial rents). Business tenants looking for a modern workplace want commercial properties with EV charging infrastructure. Similarly, potential buyers are also likely to be attracted to properties with EV charging. Consider the impact that EV charger installation has had on residential properties. Real estate brokerage firm Properly analyzed home prices in Toronto and Vancouver and found that selling prices of homes with EV chargers increased by over 19% and 4.5%, respectively, year over year. It’s clear that property buyers are interested in EV charging and are willing to pay more.
Staying ahead of EV adoption
As EV adoption accelerates, commercial properties without charging infrastructure risk losing tenants and customers to competitors that offer it. Installing charging equipment now supports tenant satisfaction and ensures your property is ready for the transition, as commercial tenants are increasingly factoring EV charging into lease renewal decisions as part of their sustainability strategy. While electric vehicle charging was removed from the 2021 International Building Code requirements, chargers are increasingly required in municipal building codes and certain rebate programs. EV charging infrastructure mandates for new buildings and parking lot retrofits are expected to expand. Installing commercial EV charging stations and make-ready infrastructure now helps your property stay ahead of those requirements while signaling sustainability leadership to eco-conscious tenants.
Being seen as an environmental leader
Finally, installing EV charging stations at your commercial property can boost your corporate image and marketing. Customers are increasingly seeking out environmentally friendly companies. In fact, online searches for sustainable goods increased globally by 71% from 2016 to 2021, according to one Economist/World Wide Fund for Nature report. Another report from IBM found that “84% of global consumers consider sustainability important when choosing a brand… And 62% of consumers now say they’re willing to change their purchasing behavior to help reduce the negative impact on the environment, up from 57% in 2019.” Consumers want to buy from sustainable companies, and EV charging equipment is an obvious visual cue to potential customers that you are leading the way. EV charging installation can also help you get recognized by sustainable accreditation organizations like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which can help your property attain tax breaks and other economic incentives.
How to fund EV charging for my commercial property
Numerous government incentives exist to help commercial property owners install EV chargers on their premises. Blink has compiled various state and municipal commercial incentives into an easy-to-search tool. Simply enter your zip code to see the available incentives in your region. Nationally, the federal government offers the Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure Tax Credit, which provides a tax credit of 30% (up to a maximum of $100,000) for installing EV charging infrastructure at qualifying businesses. Federal programs have also supported installation at commercial properties near key corridors. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program has provided funding to states for EV charging buildout, though program availability has evolved. Check the current status with your state DOT. Blink provides resources to help qualifying businesses explore Level 2 and DC fast charger options through available grant programs.
Keep in mind that federal tax credits and state incentives can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket installation costs.
How to select a charging station
EV charging infrastructure is a strong investment for your commercial property, helping raise property value, attract employees and customers for your commercial tenants, and increase lease renewals. But which EV chargers are best for commercial properties? There are two options to choose from:
Level 2 chargers
Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFCs)
Which one you choose will depend on several factors, including:
Your budget
Your available power supply
The type of businesses that lease your property
Level 2 versus DCFC for commercial real estate
Generally speaking, commercial property owners will select Level 2 chargers like the Series 8, though the Series 7 is also recommended for locations with fleets. These powerful charging stations can deliver up to 80A to charge an EV in a few hours and are ideal for businesses where customers will be spending more time, like a movie theater, mall, hotel, or spa. You can charge drivers for using them by the amount of electricity they use or charge by the amount of time their car spends plugged in. On the other hand, DC fast chargers like the Series 9 can charge a vehicle in under an hour. DCFC is quick, but they require additional electrical infrastructure that is unavailable at the typical workplace. DCFCs are typically found near highway-adjacent service centers or deployed for fleet operations where drivers need a fast charge and are not expected to dwell. Notably, the installation costs of DCFCs are significantly more than Level 2 charging stations. While many properties already have 240V power, DCFC usually requires significant electrical upgrades to add 480V power. Level 2 chargers are less taxing on available power supply and budgets.
Blink network solutions
Blink's commercial EV charging solutions give property owners and managers tools to save money, including local load management, which evenly splits the available power supply on a given circuit between all chargers. This allows properties to add more chargers without incurring high infrastructure costs. Choosing Blink also means you will be added to the Blink Network, which includes the Blink App to alert drivers about your chargers. Public EV charging maps like Blink or Google Maps can help you attract new customers to your property. The Blink Network gives property managers the tools they need to control all their chargers’ settings – like setting prices for different groups – from one central dashboard. Our smart access controls allow you to even offer private access or discounted pricing for major tenants! As EV adoption grows, commercial properties are becoming the new charging hubs for drivers across commercial real estate. Explore EV charging for your commercial property today. Contact Blink Charging to speak with an expert and get a quote.
Last updated: June 25, 2026