Charging electric vehicles doesn't have to be a hassle for companies and their employees. With the growth in electrified fleets, the issue of home charging points is becoming central. By enabling employees to recharge their cars at home, companies can optimize fleet management while simplifying drivers' daily lives. But what steps need to be taken? What type of charging station to install or connected cable to choose? How do you manage expense reimbursements? From technical solutions to regulatory obligations and tax benefits, here's everything you need to know about equipping your employees with charging stations without complexity.
Why install a home charging station for your employees?
Installing a home charging station for employees is a solution increasingly adopted by companies electrifying their fleets. Allowing employees to recharge their electric vehicles at home offers several advantages for both the company and the employees.
Greater flexibility for employees
Having a charging station at home eliminates the constraints associated with public charging stations or company infrastructures. Employees can recharge their electric vehicles at night, when energy demand is lower, and start each day with a full battery. This solution offers several advantages:
- Time-saving: no need to visit a public terminal during the day.
- Everyday convenience: you can recharge directly at home, with no hassle.
- Guaranteed access to recharging: no queuing or busy charging stations.
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Cost optimization for the company
For companies, equipping employees with home charging stations enables them to optimize the management of their electric fleet. Rather than multiplying on-site installations, this solution spreads out the investment and limits the need for costly infrastructure.
What's more, home charging generally costs less than public charging stations. The company can thus reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of its electric vehicles by reimbursing employees' electricity costs, which are often much lower than the rates charged at public fast-charging stations, and maximize profitability.
A lever for accelerating the energy transition
By facilitating access to recharging, the company encourages its employees to adopt electric vehicles. This is perfectly in line with the decarbonization of vehicle fleets and contributes to the company's CSR commitments. What's more, tax benefits and subsidies help to reduce the cost of installation, making this option even more attractive.
What home recharging solutions are available for employees?
The installation of a home recharging solution for employees must be adapted to their needs and the technical constraints of their home. There are two main options for companies: connected cables and wall-mounted charging stations.
Connected cable: a flexible, cost-effective solution
The connected charging cable is an interesting alternative for employees who don't want to invest in a wall-mounted charging station. This intelligent cable, plugged into a standard or reinforced domestic socket, offers optimized recharging thanks to an integrated management system.
Advantages :
- Simplified installation, no need for special work (unless a reinforced socket is required).
- Low cost (around €300 to €800 depending on model).
- Easy to transport, ideal for employees on the move.
- No work required in the event of relocation or employee turnover
Disadvantages :
- Long recharge time (10 to 15 hours for a full recharge).
- Less secure than a wall-mounted terminal, sometimes requiring a reinforced socket.
This solution is ideal for employees making short daily trips. For more intensive use, a wall-mounted terminal is recommended.
Wall-mounted charging stations: the most efficient solution
Wallbox charging stations are the preferred choice for companies equipping their employees with electric vehicles. With a power range from 7.4 kW to 22 kW, they enable much faster and safer recharging.
Advantages :
- Faster charging: 3 to 7 hours for a full charge.
- Optimized safety: protection against overvoltage and overheating.
- Intelligent consumption management: off-peak charging can be programmed.
Disadvantages :
- Higher cost(€1,500 to €2,500 including installation, excluding grants).
- Installation requires an IRVE-qualified electrician and a dedicated circuit breaker.
- Requires the intervention of a technician in the event of a move or employee turnover, and therefore additional costs.
Communicating terminals: an asset for managing reimbursements
Most connected cables and charging stationsautomatically send charging data to the company. This simplifies management of the reimbursement of recharging costs at the employee's home, and avoids any administrative complexity. These solutions also offer the possibility of :
- Optimize costs by prioritizing charging during off-peak hours.
- Differentiate vehicle consumption from that of the rest of the household with a specific meter.
- Send detailed monthly reports to fleet managers.
Although more costly to purchase, these kiosksautomate the management of reimbursements, guaranteeing transparent billing for both company and employee. Combined with a high-performance management platform, fleet managers can take full control of their kiosk fleet and simplify reimbursement procedures.
How do I install a home charging station?
Installing a charging station in an employee's home requires certain steps to be taken, whether in a single-family home or a condominium. Good anticipation helps optimize cost, technical feasibility and repayment management.
Check the technical feasibility of the installation
First and foremost, it's essential to assess whether the installation of a wall-mounted terminal or the use of a connected cable is feasible in the employee's home. Here are the main criteria to check:
- Meter rating: a 7.4 kW terminal requires at least a 9 kVA subscription, while a 22 kW terminal may require three-phase (depending on the amount of electrical equipment you own).
- Available space: for a wall-mounted terminal, a secure location close to the electrical panel is preferable.
- The type of property: in a single-family home, procedures are simplified, while in a condominium, specific rules apply.
An IRVE (Infrastructure de Recharge de Véhicules Électriques) qualified electrician can carry out a preliminary study to guarantee the conformity and safety of the installation.
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Obtaining authorization for condominiums
If the employee lives in a condominium, he or she must assert the right to plug in. These regulations allow any owner or tenant to install a recharging point on their parking space, provided they inform the condominium manager.
The steps are as follows:
- Notify the syndic by registered mail with a project for installation.
- Wait 3 months: if there are no objections on serious grounds (technical constraints, safety), the installation can go ahead.
- Have the installation carried out by an IRVE-qualified professional.
In some cases, shared solutions can be set up to equip the entire residence.
Choosing the right service provider and financing the installation
Choosing a certified installer is crucial to ensuring safe, compliant installation. There are several ways to finance the installation:
- Government assistance: the Advenir program can cover up to 50% of the cost for shared-ownership terminals.
- Tax credits and reduced VAT: certain forms of assistance can reduce the final bill.
- Company financing: some companies pay for all or part of the installation to encourage their employees to switch to electric vehicles. If the company is obliged to switch to electric vehicles, the cost of the installation must be borne by the company.
Set up a refill refund system
Once the terminal has been installed, the company must decide how to reimburse the electricity costs incurred by the employee. Several options are available:
- Monthly plan: based on an estimated recharge cost, it offers administrative simplicity but can be less precise.
- Actual reimbursement: based on actual consumption measured by a communicating terminal or dedicated meter.
- Home recharging card: some companies offer specific cards that differentiate vehicle recharging from other household consumption.
The ideal option depends on the number of employees involved, the company's budget and its fleet management policy (car policy).
What grants and subsidies are available to finance the installation of a home charging station?
Installing a home charging station is an investment, but there are a number of financial and tax incentives available to reduce the cost, both for the company and for the employee.
The Advenir program: a subsidy for condominium terminals
The Advenir program, supported by the French government, covers up to 50% of the cost of installing a charging station in a condominium. This scheme is particularly useful for employees living in apartment blocks.
💡 A mount of aid: up to €960 per bollard for individual use in collective parking lots.
To qualify, installation must be carried out by an IRVE-qualified professional and meet certain technical criteria.
Tax credit and reduced VAT for individuals
Employees who install a charging station at home can benefit from a €300 tax credit, applicable to the purchase and installation. In addition, VAT is reduced to 5.5% instead of 20%, provided the installation is carried out by a professional.
These tax benefits apply only to private individuals, which may encourage the company to let the employee manage the installation directly, with reimbursement later.
Employer-paid benefits: an attractive tax advantage
The company can cover all or part of the cost of installing the charging station at the employee's home. In this case, the financial contribution can be :
- Excluded from social security contributions, under certain conditions (expenses related to professional use of the vehicle).
- Depreciable as an investment in the energy transition.
Some companies prefer to rent or lease terminals to share costs and avoid excessive initial investment.
Local and regional aid
In addition to national grants, some local authorities offer subsidies for the installation of charging stations. These grants vary from region to region, and can cover part of the purchase and installation costs.
📌 Example: In the Île-de-France region, specific assistance is available for condominium installations.
💡 Good idea: Check with your local town hall or regional council to find out what's available locally.
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