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Planning EV Charging Infrastructure for New Construction Projects in Indianapolis

Written by Zimmerman Electric | Nov 25, 2025 6:45:01 PM

Electric Vehicles are becoming more and more popular across Indiana, so planning for EV charging infrastructure during new construction has become a strategic priority for developers to attract a whole new type of customer to their developments. Whether you're building a retail complex, multi-family housing, office space, industrial fleet facility, or mixed-use property, incorporating EV-ready electrical systems during the design and construction phase can save significant time and money.

Why Plan EV Charging During Construction?


1. It’s Cheaper Than Retrofitting

Adding EV chargers after a building is complete often requires:

  • Trenching or re-pouring concrete
  • Running new conduit through walls or underground
  • Upgrading electrical panels or transformers

Planning EV infrastructure before construction reduces material, labor, and permitting costs.


2. Building Codes Are Moving Toward EV Requirements

Cities across the U.S. are starting to require:

  • EV-ready conduit
  • Dedicated charging parking spaces
  • Load-sharing infrastructure

Getting ahead of evolving standards protects your project from future compliance headaches.

3. It Increases Property Value and Market Appeal

Commercial spaces that include EV charging are more attractive to:

  • Tenants
  • Corporate clients
  • Residential buyers
  • Municipal partners

Future-proofing is a selling point.

Determining Charger Types


EV charging options generally fall into two categories:

Level 2 Charging

  • Ideal for apartments, workplaces, and hotels
  • Provides steady, reliable charging for longer stays
  • Lower electrical demand than DC Fast Charging

Level 3 / DC Fast Charging

  • Ideal for travel centers, convenience stores, and fleet facilities
  • Enables rapid, high-throughput charging
  • Requires substantial electrical capacity planning

Early planning ensures that utility service sizing matches projected demand.

Electrical Considerations in New Construction

Key electrical planning steps include:

  • Load calculations and capacity forecasting
  • Utility service coordination
  • Space allocation for transformers and switchgear
  • Conduit routing and parking layout integration
  • Smart load-balancing systems to reduce demand costs

The earlier these are incorporated, the more efficient and cost-effective the build.


Parking Layout Planning

Proper planning ensures chargers:

  • Are accessible
  • Meet ADA height and clearance requirements
  • Are protected from vehicle impact
  • Include space for future expansion

It’s always easier to build room for future chargers than to retrofit them later.


Monetization and Management Systems

Commercial EV charging can be:

  • Free to users
  • Pay-per-use
  • Membership-based
  • Integrated into tenant billing

Choosing the right network platform affects:

  • Access control
  • Usage data tracking
  • Energy demand management
  • Payment processing

Available Incentives for New Construction Projects

Indianapolis businesses may qualify for:

  • Federal EV infrastructure tax credits
  • Utility rebates for EV-ready site wiring
  • Green building grants or credits
  • Fleet electrification funding programs

These incentives can significantly reduce upfront installation costs.  EV charging is quickly becoming an expected feature of modern commercial development.

Planning for chargers during new construction:

  • Reduces cost and complexity
  • Future-proofs the property
  •  Increases leasing demand and tenant satisfaction
  • Aligns with long-term sustainability goals

If you're planning a new commercial development in Indianapolis, now is the perfect time to integrate EV charging infrastructure into your project design.