The Hidden Costs of NOT Installing Commercial EV Chargers at Your Indianapolis Business

Commercial EV charging has shifted from an optional amenity to a business-essential investment. Yet many Indianapolis property owners still hesitate because they focus solely on the installation cost. What they overlook is far more expensive: the cost of not offering EV charging.

Whether you operate a retail center, hotel, restaurant, office building, apartment complex, or industrial property, the risks of delaying EV infrastructure are growing every year. Here’s what your business stands to lose when EV charging isn’t part of your operations and why adding chargers now pays off in more ways than one.

1. You Lose Customers to Competitors That Offer Charging

EV drivers plan their stops around charging availability. That means they check apps and maps before choosing where to shop, dine, or stay. These platforms include:

• Google Maps EV charging filter
• PlugShare
• ChargePoint
• ChargeHub
• Electrify America’s station map

If your Indianapolis business doesn’t appear in these listings, you are invisible to a fast-growing customer segment.

And EV drivers don’t just show up once — charging creates ongoing patterns. If your competitor has chargers, EV drivers will choose them every single time they need to top off. That creates permanent loyalty… to someone else.

2. Reduced Foot Traffic and Lower Dwell Time

Businesses that rely on in-person visitors — restaurants, coffee shops, shopping centers, entertainment venues, gyms, and medical offices — are losing revenue when they lack EV charging.

Here’s why:

• Level 2 charging encourages longer visits (1–4 hours).
  Longer visits = more spending.
• DC Fast charging drives fast-turnover traffic (20–40 minutes).
  Quick stops often turn into purchases, meals, or browsing.

Even a 10–15 minute increase in dwell time is tied to increased cart size in retail settings. Without chargers, you lose potential revenue every single day.

3. Lower Property Value and Less Appeal to Tenants

For commercial and multi-family properties, EV charging is now a top differentiator that tenants consider when signing or renewing a lease.

Without chargers, you risk:

• Longer tenant vacancies
• Lower rental rates
• Weaker long-term tenant loyalty
• Losing out to modernized competitors

Developers, corporate tenants, and residential renters increasingly expect EV-ready infrastructure — even if they don't yet drive an electric vehicle. They’re planning ahead, and they want properties that can support their future needs.

4. Missed Revenue Opportunities From Charger Usage

Many Indianapolis business owners don’t realize that EV chargers can directly generate revenue.

Common monetization models include:

• Per-kWh charging
• Per-session fees
• Time-based pricing
• Membership pricing
• Paid fast charging
• Free validation for customers only

DC Fast Chargers, in particular, generate recurring revenue because of high throughput. A single fast charger can serve dozens of vehicles per day.

If you don’t install charging, you simply never access this revenue stream.

5. Falling Behind Corporate Sustainability Expectations

Across Indiana, companies are adopting ESG and sustainability commitments — even small to mid-sized businesses. EV charging now supports:

• LEED certification goals
  Corporate fleet electrification
• Carbon reduction initiatives
• Green branding and marketing
• Community partnerships

Customers and partners increasingly expect to see modern, sustainable infrastructure. Without EV charging, your business appears outdated.

6. Higher Future Installation Costs (Due to Construction, Infrastructure & Code Changes)

Waiting only makes installation more expensive. Here’s why:

• Trenching and electrical retrofits cost dramatically more once parking, landscaping, and building finishes are complete.
• Building codes are evolving — EV-ready requirements are already being added to designs in many cities.
• Indiana utility companies may soon require EV-specific load-management systems for certain commercial installs.
• Construction labor costs continue to rise each year.

Installing chargers now — before demand peaks — saves thousands on electrical work alone.

7. Missed Incentives and Tax Credits

There are several programs available today that significantly reduce installation cost, including:

• Federal EV Infrastructure Tax Credit (30C)
• Utility rebates from Indiana energy providers
• Commercial development incentive grants
• Green building reimbursement programs

These incentives are not guaranteed long-term. Businesses that wait may end up paying full price later.


8. You Miss Out on High-Value, High-Spending EV Customers

EV owners, generally speaking, have:

• Higher-than-average annual income
• Strong brand loyalty
• Higher spending potential per visit
• A preference for businesses with modern amenities

Not offering EV charging means losing access to the most profitable customer demographic.

Installing EV Chargers Isn’t a Cost — It’s a Business Growth Strategy

When you add up all the long-term impacts — lost traffic, missed revenue, lower property value, declining competitiveness, and rising future costs — EV charger installation becomes one of the best investments Indianapolis commercial properties can make in 2025 and beyond.

If your business is exploring commercial EV charger installation or maintenance plans in Indianapolis, our team can help evaluate power availability, site layout, tenant needs, and cost-saving incentives.