How EV Chargers in Office Parking Lots Could Cut Costs and Pollution
As gas prices soar, installing EV chargers at work can offer low-cost perks for employees and cut air pollution. This simple change could attract talent.
With gas prices hitting painful highs, companies are turning to electric vehicle (EV) chargers as a pragmatic perk. Hanko Kiessner, founder of Packsize, discovered first-hand the benefits of installing EV chargers in his Salt Lake City office parking lot. Initially driven by personal health concerns over air pollution, what started as a personal solution to asthma evolved into a strategic business decision.
In 2002, after relocating from Germany to Utah, Kiessner's battle with air pollution began. His newfound asthma pushed him to explore air pollution's vehicular roots. This led him to champion EVs, culminating in the installation of charging stations at Packsize. What began with just three chargers expanded to 53, driven by employee enthusiasm for EVs and the low cost, about $3 per day per station.
The math adds up. Kiessner reports a nearly 30% EV adoption rate among staff, highlighting the chargers as one of the most economical employee benefits. It's a win-win: reducing air pollution and attracting eco-conscious, tech-savvy talent. High gas prices only amplify this, making EV adoption even more attractive. With fragile oil supply chains and abundant cheap electricity, installing EV chargers isn't just a nice-to-have. It's strategic.
For employers eyeing crypto or tech talent, this move is even shrewder. The overlap between those interested in EVs and those engaged in tech and crypto is significant. As companies compete for talent, those offering EV charging stations might gain an edge. But let's not kid ourselves. If the AI can hold a wallet, who writes the risk model?