Attracting and retaining top talent with workplace EV charging [2023]

The undeniable rise of electric mobility

It’s no longer a futuristic scenario; electric car sales keep breaking records, in the UK new electric car registrations in 2022 were 40% higher than the year before. Today, 50 percent of car customers are considering buying an EV, so chances are your employees are already driving electric or – at the very least – considering it. Even if they aren’t, they will have no choice in only a few years from now; the UK government has brought forward the plan to ban the production of new internal combustion engines by 10 years, and OEMs are releasing new and more affordable models every year. 

At the same time, sustainability has never mattered more in the battle for talent. In fact, today 51 percent of employees will no longer work for a company that doesn’t have strong social or environmental commitments.

Of course, electric mobility is not the only solution, but reducing harmful emissions in transportation is a vital aspect that a workplace can take in the fight against climate change. 

Workplace EV charging can bring you the talent you are searching for

According to our most recent Mobility Monitor research, the vast majority of potential and current EV drivers are employed full-time, well educated, and around 35 percent are under 35. 

Does this demographic sound familiar? It should… these are the candidates your business is looking for, and they are just within reach.

Millennials and Gen Z are a force to be reckoned with in the workplace, and it has been estimated that they will comprise 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025.

But don’t think it’s business as usual —millennials seek greater purpose and involvement in their company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments than any workforce ever before. To put it in perspective, almost half of millennials and Gen Z have a bigger desire to make a positive impact on society compared to previous generations. 

When such a shift happens in the workforce, companies must follow suit. 

Whatever their job description may say, employees want to know they are making a difference, and they expect their employers to show them the way. In fact, as we found in our own EVBox research, done alongside research firm Ipsos, 40 percent of EV drivers in the UK already charge their EV at work. Moreover, a further 17 percent indicate that they would like their company to offer EV charging.

So be honest: is your business meeting the needs and expectations of your workforce? Or should you consider making changes to appeal to potential and current employees?

Talent acquisition and employee retention strategies are critical now

Gone are the days when employers had the upper hand in the job market. Candidates now have a multitude of options and are highly discerning when choosing where they want to work. Not only should you be concerned about reaching new employees, but you should also meet the needs of your current ones. That's right, employers have to stay highly attractive to retain the talent they possess as employee turnover becomes a real issue in the workplace. 

According to a report by PwC on the future of work, the ability to attract, develop, and increase employee retention has become a critical business differentiator. Especially with workers quitting more than ever since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

US economists have dubbed 2022 the Year of Great Resignation, with more than 50 million workers quitting their jobs last year.

What do you offer employees in return for the value they bring to your company besides a salary, that is?

Companies must get creative when it comes to finding ways to seek and retain talent—and that’s where EV chargers can come in.

Appeal to your potential employees

Having EV chargers at work shows candidates that your company is taking climate-positive action and will help you stand out from the competition. 

On top of improving your facility’s image—a top issue on the agenda for facility managers—, EV charging can also be a key deciding factor for talent when it comes to choosing where to work.

Think about it. Charging your car at work is extremely convenient for your employees. Pull up, plug in, go to work, and head home fully charged, what's not to like?

One of the main benefits of driving electric is that you can theoretically charge your car wherever you park and no longer depend on having to go to a gas station to fill up.

Research shows that charging at home is the most popular location for EV charging. However, it is not viable for everyone. Especially in cities, many people live in flats or don’t have access to a personal parking space where they can install a home charging station. With that in mind, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the workplace is, in fact, the third most popular charging location for EV drivers.

Today, one of the main roadblocks to EV adoption is the anxiety of not being able to charge it. Your workplace could be part of the solution and provide your employees with an extra incentive to get an electric car. 

Put the EV in your EVP

Did you know employees who feel their needs are met are 63 percent more likely to stay with their company? 

EVP, also known as your employee value proposition, is an umbrella term for the rewards and employee benefits you offer. Candidates are considering these benefits alongside remuneration and are becoming more critical when determining whether or not they want to work for your company. 

Giving employees the right balance of these benefits is crucial. Not only does it help you stand out from competitors, but it also plays an integral part in your employer’s branding strategy.

Just like offering flexible work hours, a pet-friendly workplace, complimentary lunch, or a happy hour once a week, EV charging is a factor that can boost job satisfaction and employee loyalty.

Employees want sustainable initiatives in the workplace

Providing workplace charging is about more than just offering a service. It’s also a declaration that your business is conscious of the fight against climate change. 

It’s an often overlooked fact, but having workplace chargers on-site stands out… quite literally. Cars that pass by your business (potential employees and customers) might notice you’ve adopted the latest technology. Plus, by adding custom branding, you can boost the impact even further, linking your logo to a movement that’s contributing to a sustainable future. You will be effectively advertising your business’ climate-positive actions, which candidates are looking for.

Workers don’t simply want sustainability reports every trimester, they want their companies to be taking action.

Getting involved with electric mobility and EV charging can help your business comply with highly sought-after certifications like LEED and BREEAM—green-building standards candidates look out for when choosing where to work. It also showcases your company as innovative and prepared for the future and boost employee morale.

Electric vehicle drivers are the talent

The majority of EV drivers are employed full-time, well educated, and around one in three is under 35. Does this demographic sound familiar? It should… these are the candidates your business is looking for.

Millennials are a force to be reckoned with in the workplace, and it has been estimated that they will comprise 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025. But, don’t think it’s business as usual —millennials seek greater purpose and involvement in their company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments than any workforce ever before. Whatever their job description may say, they want to know they are making a difference and they expect their employers to show them the way.

Workplace EV charging could be the deciding factor

The reality is: employee expectations are changing. If you are still not convinced, a study by IBM’s Institute for Business Value (IBV) found that 67 percent of employees consider a company’s social and environmental commitments when deciding where to work. 

Future business success relies on identifying and delivering on these evolving expectations. The advisory firm WTW puts it eloquently: “The companies that truly embrace their environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and meaningfully embed it into the foundations and culture of their organisation are those that reap the rewards of greater employee engagement and, ultimately, improved financial success.”

Find out more about workplace EV charging

Of course, attracting and retaining top talent is not the only benefit of offering EV charging at the workplace. Our free and extensive guide aims to highlight the most important trends, opportunities, and challenges for managers who are considering to start offering EV charging at the workplace.