Discover the most common challenges of scalable charging infrastructure: grid congestion, high costs and sluggish states. Get tangible solutions from ChargeNode with 99% uptime and 60,000+ charge points. Scale smart.
Are you struggling with grid congestion, skyrocketing installation costs and sluggish permit processes when scaling up charging infrastructure for electric cars? Many property owners are at risk of falling behind in the rapid electrification. This article reveals the most common challenges and provides concrete solutions for scalable charging. ChargeNode, with over 60,000 charging points and 99 percent uptime, shows what works in practice.
Installing a single charging box at a villa is one thing, but building an infrastructure for an entire condominium association or business park is an entirely different challenge. As the fleet of vehicles electrifies, property owners are faced with complex issues that are not just about technology, but about economics and capacity. Many realize too late that their first solution will not be able to grow when the neighbor also gets an electric car.
It is no longer a question of whether to install charging, but how to do it smartly. Without a well-thought-out plan, you risk expensive power peaks and unnecessary earthworks. Here we go through what it takes to build a charging infrastructure that lasts over time, and what pitfalls you should absolutely avoid.
Scalable charging infrastructure means that the system is designed to grow as needed, without the need to tear up the asphalt every time a new charging point is installed. Basically, it involves preparing the ground work and wiring for full deployment from day one, but only installing the charging units themselves when they are actually needed.
It's also about software. A scalable system must be able to handle hundreds of charge points simultaneously through dynamic load balancing. This means that the system automatically distributes the available power between the cars. Without this technology, the property's main fuse shuts down as soon as too many cars are plugged in at the same time.
Sweden is at a breaking point where the infrastructure is out of step with the sale of electric cars. For property owners, this means enormous pressure to act now.
An interesting insight from ChargeNode's data is the so-called induction effect: where charging infrastructure is installed, Increases charging by 39% in just 12 months (BRF case). This means that you are not only building for today's needs, but creating the conditions for more people to dare to switch to electric cars. If the system is not scalable from the start, you will quickly hit the roof, leading to dissatisfied tenants and expensive redevelopments.
Scaling up charging is rarely as simple as just putting up more poles. Property owners often face a wall of technical and administrative hurdles that can stop the project before it has even begun. A balance is needed between meeting today's needs and not overinvesting for an uncertain future.
Here are the three biggest brake pads that most people encounter.
The Swedish grid is strained, and power shortages often occur because electricity production takes place far from where it is used. This creates bottlenecks that hit local property networks hard. When many cars charge at the same time in the evening, the property's power output risks skyrocketing. Without smart steering, this leads to the main fuse going or the grid owner charging penalties for high power peaks. It is an expensive trap for the one who has not planned for load balancing.
Earthworks are the single largest cost item when installing. Digging up a parking lot twice is economic insanity. Many people make the mistake of installing too few seats initially to save money, which will be more expensive in the long run.
Cost control strategy:
This minimizes risk while being prepared for the future.
The regulatory framework around charging infrastructure can be a jungle. It involves everything from planning permission and right of way to approvals from local grid owners. Often the processes drag on time because energy companies cannot give quick information about available power. This creates uncertainty in project planning and can delay installations by several months. Navigating these bureaucratic processes often requires expertise that an ordinary board or property manager rarely possesses.
In practice, scalability is about moving the intelligence from the hardware to the cloud. Instead of each charging box acting alone, the entire parking lot operates as a single ecosystem. When a new car is plugged in, the system communicates with the property's electrical central and adjusts the power for all ongoing charges - known as Departure based charging.
This allows you to install more charging points than the main fuse can theoretically handle at full load. By sharing power, you can maximize the number of seats without having to pay for expensive grid upgrades.
Smart charging is all about prioritizing. By having the user enter their departure time in an app, the system knows exactly when the car needs to be fully charged. Cars that are supposed to stand all night charge more slowly, while those that are going to leave soon get priority to the effect. This hijacks the expensive power peaks and harnesses the capacity of the electricity grid around the clock, instead of everyone rushing towards a full charge at 6pm.
One modular system separates the infrastructure from the charging point itself. In practice, this means that you pull, for example, channel rails to all parking spaces at the first installation. When a resident then acquires an electric car, an installer can simply “click in” a new charging unit on the existing infrastructure. This removes the need for new excavation work and allows the compound to grow organically without large one-off costs.
To succeed, you need to think beyond the hardware. A charging box is only one part of a service. The most successful projects are those that see charging as a holistic solution where technology, payment and support are connected.
Here are three specific tips to help secure your investment:
Having a partner who takes overall responsibility (Charge Point Operator) is crucial for operational safety. Instead of supporting you when a charger messes up on a Sunday night, the operator manages monitoring and troubleshooting. Choose a provider with high technical availability — industry leaders like ChargeNode deliver 99.7% uptime. It saves time for the board and reduces the frustration of residents.
Technology should work for you, not the other way around. By choosing solutions that support open OCPP Standards Smart management and future-proofing ensure the future of the plant.
Perhaps the most common mistake is short-sightedness. Many people install boxes without load balancing and hook-up to save money initially. The result is that users cannot be charged, can't load balance and can't get support remotely. It quickly becomes an administrative nightmare for the board.
Another mistake is to underestimate the importance of a clear charging policy. Before taking the first step, you should have decided who will be allowed to charge, what it will cost and how the queuing system works. Without clear rules, conflicts easily arise. Finally, do not forget about the service agreement. Technology requires maintenance, and being left without a support contract when the system goes down is an unnecessary risk.
Scalable charging infrastructure is the key to sustainable and economical electrification for Swedish property owners. By preparing for the future, using smart technology such as load balancing based on departure time, and choosing a safe overall partner, you can avoid the most common pitfalls.
Authorities such as MCF (formerly MSB) and the Swedish Electricity Safety Authority have developed guidance for safe deployment, which underlines the importance of doing right from the beginning (mcf.se). The investment you make today should last for many years — make sure it can grow with you.
What technical requirements do energy companies place on charging infrastructure?
Energy companies require MID certified electricity meters, RCDs and fuses. All installations must be approved by a competent electrician and notified to the Swedish Electric Safety Authority before commissioning.
Can existing parking spaces be easily converted to charging points?
Yes, with the right planning. First, check the capacity of the power center and the distance to parking spaces.
What grants and supports are available for BRFs installing charging infrastructure?
Climatic life offers up to 50% support for charging infrastructure, max 15,000 SEK per charging point. Some municipalities have local grants - contact your municipality for current terms and application periods.
What happens if the charging infrastructure breaks down - who is responsible for repairs?
With a Charge Point Operator (CPO) agreement, the supplier handles all service and maintenance. Without a contract, the BRF is responsible for itself, which can mean long downtime and high repair costs for specialized equipment.
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