The Dealership EV Infrastructure Challenge

The Dealership EV Infrastructure Challenge You Can’t Afford to Miss

How to Future-Proof Your Dealership for EVs

As the automotive industry accelerates towards an electric future, dealerships must evolve, not only in what they sell but in how their spaces function. Through years of experience working with clients to develop car dealership sites, it’s clear that investing in EV infrastructure for car dealerships is essential to ensure facilities are primed for the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). Ready to future-proof your dealership? Here’s what you need to know, let’s dive in.

Why EV Infrastructure for Car Dealerships Matters

The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is a fundamental transformation in dealership operations, not just a sales trend. Supporting EVs requires major upgrades to power infrastructure, space planning, and the customer experience, challenges many dealerships underestimate, risking costly retrofits or lost market share. Fast chargers drive power demands beyond existing system capacities, necessitating significant electrical upgrades. Dealerships must also allocate space strategically for customer parking and dedicated charging bays, maintaining smooth traffic flow and showroom appeal. Service areas need redesigning to meet EV-specific maintenance and safety requirements. Meanwhile, customers increasingly expect dealerships to embody sustainable values, with eco-friendly designs, renewable energy use, and efficient layouts. Addressing these challenges early is crucial for staying competitive and meeting evolving customer expectations in the electric era.

How to Get Your Dealership Ready and Future-Proofed for EVs

Preparing your dealership for the EV revolution means tackling several key areas, starting with power infrastructure. EV charging stations, especially the fast chargers, demand a lot of juice, often pulling between 50kW and 350kW per unit. When you multiply that by several chargers, the power needs can quickly outstrip your existing capacity. Early coordination with your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is essential to evaluate your current grid connection and plan for any necessary upgrades.

It’s also smart to design your site with dedicated spaces for transformers, switchgear, and electrical rooms to handle this increased load. Installing passive infrastructure, like conduits and ducting, during initial construction can save significant time and money when future expansions are needed.

But power is just the beginning. Your dealership’s physical spaces will need to evolve too:

Flexible showroom zones: Create dedicated areas that spotlight electric vehicles. Use interactive displays or charging demos to engage and educate customers about EV benefits.
Adaptable workshops: Design modular service bays that can switch between combustion engine work and EV maintenance. Safety is paramount here, consider battery storage, ventilation, and fire risk protocols unique to EVs.
Smart vehicle storage: Set up safe quarantine areas for EV batteries and vehicles, meeting all regulatory requirements.

Customer experience around charging is equally vital. Strategically placing charging bays in convenient, visible locations encourages customers to stay longer, boosting retail and service opportunities. Providing a variety of charging options, from Level 2 to DC fast chargers, meets diverse needs, while clear signage and intuitive wayfinding simplify the process.

Sustainability is no longer optional; it’s a competitive necessity. Leading dealerships integrate renewable energy, such as solar panels, to offset rising electricity demands. Advanced energy management systems optimise charging schedules to avoid peak demand costs, while energy-efficient lighting, HVAC, and sustainable materials reduce overall environmental impact. These measures enhance brand credibility and ensure compliance with evolving environmental regulations.

Why Work With Architects Experienced in EV Dealership Design?

Architects don’t just create buildings, they design operational ecosystems. With expertise in EV infrastructure for car dealerships, architects can guide strategic planning that balances power needs, customer experience, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency. Years of collaboration with automotive clients have shown that a well-planned, future-proof dealership becomes a market leader, attracting more customers while reducing long-term costs.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Dealership?

The EV revolution is here and the infrastructure challenges it brings can’t be ignored. If you want your dealership to thrive in this new landscape, start planning your EV infrastructure now. Contact Pier Architects to learn how we can help you design spaces that meet today’s demands and adapt seamlessly for tomorrow’s innovations.