With the government’s goal to deploy 60,000 charging points by 2030, condominiums, office buildings, malls, and business parks must prepare for this shift. But how do you get started? What should you consider before installing chargers? And how do you choose the right service provider to ensure smooth operations?
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about setting up EV charging stations in your carpark; from planning and regulations to selecting the best system integrator and software.
TL;DR – Key Steps to Install EV Chargers in Your Carpark, A Guide for Property Operators
✅ Assess demand: understand how many chargers you need for residents, tenants, and visitors.
✅ Check electrical capacity: ensure your property’s power supply can support EV chargers without overloading the grid.
✅ Choose a business model: decide whether to own, lease, or partner with a service provider.
✅ Find a reliable system integrator: look for an experienced provider that offers turnkey solutions, regulatory compliance, and scalable installations.
✅ Select the right charging software: ensure the system has billing, access control, real-time monitoring, and energy load balancing.
✅ Secure necessary approvals: work with LTA and BCA for compliance and submit plans to your MCST (for condos) or corporate management (for commercial buildings).
✅ Plan for future growth: install scalable infrastructure that allows for easy expansion as EV adoption increases.
Step 1: Understand Your Charging Needs
Before installing chargers, you need to assess demand and determine the right setup. Consider:
- Who will use the chargers? Employees, tenants, residents, or visitors?
- How many chargers do you need? Start small and scale up based on demand.
- What type of chargers are suitable? AC chargers (slow charging, 7-22kW) are ideal for overnight or long-term parking, while DC fast chargers (50kW and above) are suitable for commercial areas where users need quick top-ups.
- What parking spaces should be allocated?
If you are interested to find out more about how to balance parking allocation for charging, you may find our article here of interest: Balancing Resident Demand & Parking Allocation for EV Charging in Condos
Step 2: Check Your Electrical Capacity
Before investing in EV chargers, understanding your site’s readiness is crucial. Not all carparks are designed to accommodate charging stations, so conducting a feasibility study will help determine what’s possible. Work with an electrical engineer to evaluate:
- Power availability: does your property’s existing electrical supply have enough capacity?
- Load balancing: will the system distribute power efficiently to avoid overloading?
For older buildings, you may need electrical upgrades before installation. Engaging an EV charging system integrator early on will help you answer these questions and plan your infrastructure accordingly. Connect with us now if you're ready, here: Contact us.
Step 3: Choose the Right Business Model
There are three main ways to set up EV charging in your property:
Option A. Owner-Operated Model (Full Ownership)
In this model, the property owner has offers full control over pricing, operations, and user access. Suitable for operators who want to maximize revenue and long-term returns.
Option B. Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS)
A third-party charging provider installs, owns, and maintains the chargers while sharing revenue with the property operator. This removes upfront costs but comes with lower revenue potential. Ideal for properties that want EV charging but prefer a hands-off approach. Do note that the term could be different from one service provider to another.
Option C. Hybrid Model
A mix of ownership and service partnerships, where the property operator owns part of the infrastructure while outsourcing maintenance and operation. This balances cost efficiency and control.
Choosing the right model depends on whether you prioritize control, convenience, cost savings and operational capabilities.
Step 4: Selecting the Right EV Charging Provider
A good system integrator will handle everything from site assessment to installation and maintenance. Here’s what to look for:
Key Qualities of a Reliable Provider
- Turnkey solution – Offers end-to-end services, including installation, compliance, and maintenance.
- Regulatory compliance – Is the provider licensed and compliant with LTA and EMA regulations?
- Smart energy management – Uses load-balancing tech to prevent overloading your property’s power supply.
- Flexible business models – Allows revenue-sharing or outright purchase options.
- Scalability – Supports future expansion as demand grows.
Be wary of providers with hidden costs or poor after-sales support as maintenance is crucial for long-term success. A provider with a strong track record in Singapore’s EV ecosystem will ensure your installation is future-proof and hassle-free.
Step 5: Choosing the Right Charging Management Software
Having EV chargers installed is just the first step. Managing them efficiently is what makes them successful. A service provider with a robust Charging Station Management Software (CSMS) allows property operators to:
Must-Have Features in EV Charging Software
✔ Monitor charging sessions in real-time
✔ User authentication & access control
✔ Set pricing structures (e.g., pay-per-use, subscription-based, or free for tenants)
✔ Ensure chargers are functioning and minimize downtime
The solutions provider should also have a mobile payment integration that supports app-based payments for easy access and utilisation for the EV drivers. An efficient software system ensures higher charger uptime, better energy efficiency, and seamless payments for users.
If you’re ready to explore EV charging for your property, reach out to a trusted service provider to get started. Our team can help you assess feasibility, recommend the right business model for your property needs, provide an end-to-end turnkey solution from hardware to software integration, so your charging stations are plug and play, hassle-free.
