When it comes to managing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, businesses and property owners are looking for the best ways to monetize and control their systems. Installing new chargers may seem like the simplest way forward, however, it isn’t always the best or most cost-effective solution.
New installations come with higher costs, permitting delays, and potential compatibility challenges. On top of that, most smart chargers are not designed for multi-unit residential or workplace applications. Instead, they’re optimized for public charging, with built-in features that aren’t the most compatible for commercial properties. Unfortunately, the price tag will reflect the features you don’t need, rather than how you use them.
Your chargers should be working for you, and if they’re not networked, they’re ultimately working against your return on investment goals. You won’t be able to properly keep track of charger usage or accurately charge for that use. As a result, your users won’t be paying their fair share for the amenity that is costing you more to offer.
Fortunately, there is a faster, smarter, and more flexible alternative to replacing your functional chargers—a managed charging solution like Liberty Hydra™ Charge Station Management System (CSMS).
Why Managed Charging?
If your business or multi-unit property is providing EV charging as an amenity, controlling access and billing for usage is essential. Without managed charging, you’re essentially giving away free electricity and setting yourself up for significant losses over time.
For one, a managed charging solution provides a more secure amenity. This means that unauthorized users can’t steal power or obstruct your chargers. Instead, your users have peace of mind, and you have insight into the health and utilization of your chargers through a system you control. The utilization insights you get can also be used to apply for clean energy credits or other use-based incentives.
There’s absolutely no need to “rip and replace” existing chargers for the sole purpose of networking them. (We debunk this and other common myths about retrofitting your chargers here.) Adding smart features to your “dumb” chargers is a feasible, cost-effective charge station management option from Liberty.
The Benefits of Retrofitting
Managed chargers are sustainable because they pay for themselves. When you invest in EV infrastructure, it should be an investment that lasts and can adapt to future growth and demand with smart features. Retrofitting is a great way to upgrade your existing chargers and take advantage of benefits such as:
- Eliminating Costs & Earning Profit – Maximize your ROI by transforming unmanaged chargers into revenue-generating assets, without a hefty upfront investment. Whether you’re adding equipment, adjusting rates, or expanding locations, Liberty’s scalable solutions let you incrementally upgrade your existing infrastructure, adding access control and the latest payment systems to fit your needs and budget.
- Reducing E-waste – When you upgrade your existing infrastructure, you’re not just cutting down costs, you’re also drastically cutting unnecessary electronic waste. Instead of trashing existing systems, invest in a retrofitting solution that easily restores functionality. Opting to reduce, reuse, and recycle benefits your business and the planet.
- Faster Deployment & Scalability – With retrofitting, there’s no need to start from scratch. You simply enhance what’s already there and expand your network as needed. This means you get to upgrade on your own terms on your own time. With Liberty’s Hydra, site owners have complete control over their existing EVSE and the flexibility to adapt.
- Future-Proofing – Retrofitting with our Hydra CSMS ensures compatibility with evolving software and technology standards. Once your chargers are connected, Hydra handles the rest by connecting your chargers to the internet and communicating on behalf of your equipment, making the whole system hardware-agnostic.
Investing in existing charging equipment helps you move your business’s financial and sustainability goals forward, rather than holding you or your users back. Whether it’s for employees, residents, tenants, or the general public, Liberty has managed charging solutions tailored for your situation.
Why Choose Liberty?
Liberty Plugins has been a leader in managed EV charging technology for over 15 years, with thousands of successful standard and retrofit installations. Simply: Liberty pioneered the industry’s only CSMS not-networked EV supply equipment (EVSE). Our Hydra system seamlessly integrates with most existing chargers, providing next-level access control, monitoring, and monetization capabilities.
If you’re looking to make your existing chargers smarter, you don’t have to completely start over. Retrofitting is a practical, cost-effective solution that enhances functionality and improves your ROI. Our EVSE systems and expert service teams are ready to optimize and future-proof your EV charging operations.
So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to us today to learn how we can help smarten up your EV charging infrastructure without all the costly hurdles.