Electric Vehicle Charging Station Investment Costs 150kW: Everything You Need to Know

The investment cost for a 150 kW electric vehicle charging station in Vietnam ranges from 676 million VND for a single 150 kW rapid charging column to over 2 billion VND for a complete station with multiple chargers and related infrastructure.

Overview of the Investment Costs for a 150kW EV Charging Station

The investment cost of a 150kW EV charging station in Vietnam includes many items. A single 150kW fast charger costs about 676 million VND. Building a complete station with a transformer and auxiliary infrastructure can cost over 2 billion VND. The expenses include chargers, transformers, auxiliary infrastructure, and construction site.

Investors in a 150kW EV charging station in Vietnam should focus on important cost items such as charging station transformers, charging columns, and charging infrastructure costs.

A 150kW charging station requires a transformer with a capacity of 320 KVA to 400 KVA. The total cost for transformers and switch cabinets, including internal cables, typically ranges from several hundred million to over 1 billion VND, depending on the deployment location. For example, with integrated router cabinets, power cabinets, and cables, the cost can be about 150 – 250 million VND.

Charging equipment costs are significant. A 150kW charging station usually uses multiple DC fast charging ports, each with a power output of 50 to 60kW. Charging columns are equipped with modern technology like display screens and QR payment systems. A 100-120kW charging column with an area of 30-35m² may have a total cost of around 1.8 billion VND for equipment and installation.

The construction site also plays a crucial role. Leasing costs can range from 10 to 50 million VND/month depending on the area. The cost of infrastructure construction, including pole foundations, power cables, electrical cabinets, and canopies, must be carefully calculated to ensure compatibility with the power of the charging station.

Regarding the operating costs of the charging station, beyond the initial investment, the manager should prepare a budget for equipment maintenance and technical operation to maintain stable and efficient operations.

The payback period for the electric charging station can be optimized if the utilization rate is high. With an average electricity selling price ranging from 3,858 to 8,000 VND/kWh, the payback period may be only 2-3 years, depending on customer output and the station’s operational efficiency.

Detailed Cost Components of the Charging Station

The investment cost components for a 150kW EV charging station include charging column costs, transformer costs, wiring systems, and construction site. A 150kW rapid charging column costs about 676 million VND, while transformers and 3-phase power supply cost from 800 million to 1 billion VND. Auxiliary infrastructure like router cabinets, power supply cabinets, and connection systems require an additional 100 to 250 million VND.

To understand more about the cost components for building an EV charging station, it is necessary to analyze each factor contributing to the total investment value in detail.

Hardware Costs

Level 2 charging stations have hardware costs ranging from 2,500 to 7,000 USD, while fast DC charging stations (also known as Level 3) have higher costs, from 20,000 to 50,000 USD, depending on type and capacity.

Installation Costs

These installation costs heavily depend on the complexity of each specific site. For Level 2 charging stations, installation costs range from 2,000 to 5,000 USD. Meanwhile, fast DC charging stations have installation costs from 10,000 to 50,000 USD or more, depending on technical and infrastructure requirements on-site. Labor costs for installation also need to be economical but still meet standards, typically ranging from 300 to 1,500 USD. Factors such as electrical wiring, foundation construction, and canopies depend on the actual situation with costs ranging from 10 to 100 million VND for each project.

Software and Network Costs

Software and network fees also play a major role in the operation of the charging station. These costs include hiring management software, monitoring the charging station, handling payments, and managing users. For Level 2 stations, software costs range from 200 to 500 USD annually, while the costs for fast DC charging stations range from 500 to 1,000 USD per year.

Maintenance and Repair Costs

Maintenance and repair costs are necessary to ensure continuous and efficient operation of the charging station. For Level 2 stations, this cost is about 500 to 1,000 USD per year. Fast DC charging stations, requiring more technology and complex techniques, will have higher maintenance costs, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 USD per year.

Other Related Costs

Some costs may arise such as leasing land if no available site is owned, building auxiliary infrastructures like foundations and canopies with costs from 15 to 50 million VND. Additionally, energy management and optimization costs may add from 4,000 to 5,000 USD to reduce electricity loss while ensuring the lowest possible operating costs.

Total upfront costs for Level 2 stations can range from 4,500 to 12,000 USD and for fast DC charging stations from 30,000 to 100,000 USD. Annual operating costs for Level 2 stations are from 700 to 1,500 USD and for fast charging stations are 1,500 to 4,000 USD.

EV Charging Costs largely depend on the type of charging station and the electrical infrastructure status at the installation site, the complexity of construction work, labor costs, and finally the management costs of software and network services.

Payback Period for a 150kW Charging Station

The selling price of charging electricity in Vietnam through a franchise model is usually 750 VND/kWh, while at public stations it is about 3,858 VND/kWh. With high investment costs and low charging electricity prices, the payback period for a 150kW EV charging station typically extends beyond 3 years, suitable for long-term business plans.

The payback period for a 150kW charging station is a crucial consideration in any investment project in the EV charging field. Typically, this period ranges from 2 to 4 years, depending on factors like investment costs, monthly revenue, and the business model.

• Charging Station Investment Costs 150kW: A typical charging station may require an initial investment of more than 3 billion VND for 4 columns and 8 charging heads, directly affecting the payback period. A station may take up to 4 years to break even, depending on size and charging technology.
• Profit from 150kW Charging Stations: Charging stations can achieve a monthly revenue of about 60 million VND, with a net profit of around 20 million VND/month. In an optimistic scenario, the payback period for a 150kW charging station could be shortened to 2 years.
• Efficiency of Electric Vehicle Charging: Using fast charging technology, such as a 150kW charging station, not only improves service speed but also increases the return on investment by up to 20% compared to regular charging stations due to high efficiency and reduced vehicle downtime.
• Franchise Charging Model: If the charging station operates on a franchise model and functions 10-12 hours/day, the investor can expect to recoup costs within 2 years.

Investors need to thoroughly evaluate factors related to costs, revenue, and technology to ensure an effective investment strategy in the EV charging field, optimizing the payback period for a 150kW charging station.

Investing in a 150kW electric vehicle charging station is a long-term strategy that requires careful technical, cost, and payback consideration. Although requiring significant capital investment, the benefits of infrastructure investment are undeniable in the context of increasingly popular electric vehicles.

Contact QuangAnhcons at +84 9 1975 8191 for detailed advice on building and investing in a 150kW EV charging station.

QuangAnhcons provides consulting and implementation services for building 150kW EV charging stations with a commitment to technology and timeline. We understand infrastructure and cost requirements, ensuring your project is implemented effectively and sustainably.