Level 2 EV chargers at local business lots

Electric vehicle drivers pay per kWh, per hour or per session. Hosts may also take a share or a lease fee because chargers bring customers or tenants to their site.

Session fees from drivers minus electricity, network software fees, any host share and maintenance. Income grows with more ports and with sites that have steady parking turnover.

• Negotiating with property owners
• Basic understanding of electricity costs and charger types
• Organized with contracts and vendors
• Customer service for driver issues

• Installation must be done by a licensed electrician, and your city or county will likely require permits and inspection, so check locally
• Some states regulate how electricity can be sold to drivers (per kWh vs per hour) and may require certified meters, so check your state's rules
• Utility demand charges and rates can eat into margins, so compare rate plans before signing a site
• Check available federal, state and utility incentives and their current conditions, as they change and often have eligibility rules
• General liability insurance and a clear contract covering damage, downtime and removal if the host sells the property
• Chargers can be vandalized or break down, so plan for maintenance and a warranty

Estimates typically run around $12,000 to $45,000, depending on the number of chargers, installation work and your host agreement. Check available incentives and their current conditions, as they change and have eligibility rules.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $300 to $1,500, depending on how many chargers you run, how busy the site is, your pricing and any share paid to the host. Utility rates can affect margins.

Installation must be done by a licensed electrician, and your city or county will likely require permits and inspection, so check locally. Also check your state's rules on selling electricity to drivers, including per kWh versus per hour pricing and certified meters.