Suffolk FederalCredit Union (SFCU), a leading financial institution in Long Island, NY, saw the need to adapt to the growing trend of electric vehicles (EVs) by offering commercial EV charging stations at its numerous branches. As the demand for EVs continues to rise, flexible businesses like SFCU are taking steps to accommodate eco-conscious customers.

‍

However, installing EV charging stations comes with its challenges, from navigating permits and regulations to securing financial incentives.

‍

To overcome these challenges, SFCU partnered with us at Source Forward and DVM Industries to install EV charging stations at their branch locations. With our expert guidance and end-to-end project management, the credit union seamlessly and successfully installed the stations, streamlined the process, and leveraged incentive programs to significantly reduce costs.

The Challenge

‍

As part of its sustainability initiative, Suffolk Federal Credit Union aimed to install four EV charging stations at its headquarters to offer added value to members and visitors. However, the credit union faced several challenges in achieving this goal:

‍

Installation complexity: Setting up EV charging stations requires significant electrical work, such as installing new wiring, cabling, and conduits. It also involves coordinating with utility companies to ensure the site can support the power demand.

Permits and regulations: The project needed to comply with various local and state regulations, which required SFCU to navigate the permit process while ensuring all installations met safety standards.

‍

Maximizing financial incentives: Incentive programs were available to help offset the cost of the project, but applying for these incentives was complex and required careful planning and detailed paperwork.

‍

Long-term maintenance: To ensure the long-term functionality of the charging stations, SFCU needed a reliable partner who could provide ongoing maintenance and support.

‍

Suffolk Federal Credit Union wanted to achieve its sustainability goals while minimizing costs and ensuring a smooth installation process. They needed to partner with a company that demonstrated proven experience and deep expertise in the field. For this reason, they turned to us at SourceForward and DVM Industries for expert assistance.

‍

The Solution

‍

Once we established clear goals and expectations, with specific objectives and timelines in which we could expect work to be done, our team at Source Forward and DVM Industries worked closely with SFCU to manage every aspect of the project, from the initial planning stages to the final installation and ongoing support. By leveraging our expertise, SFCU was able to install EV charging stations efficiently and cost-effectively.

‍

1.   Comprehensive Project Management

In order to offer a seamless experience (and at their request) our team took charge of the project, providing end-to-end management to ensure a seamless process for SFCU. The project began with a thorough assessment of the site, during which we identified the necessary upgrades and created a detailed plan for installation.

‍

Key steps in the project management process included:

‍

Site assessment and design: Our team conducted a full site audit to determine the best location for the charging stations and the necessary electrical upgrades to support them.

‍

Utility coordination: At their request, we handled communication with the local utility provider to ensure that SFCU’s electrical infrastructure was capable of supporting the power demand of the EV charging stations.

‍

Cabling and conduit installation: We installed the required cabling and conduits to connect the chargers to the electrical system, ensuring compliance with all safety and regulatory standards.

‍

2.   Permitting and Compliance

Navigating the permit process and ensuring compliance with local and state regulations can be a complex and time-consuming task, unsuited to the busy team at SFCU.

‍

Our team took the lead in managing all aspects of permitting and compliance, including:

‍

Permit applications: We prepared and submitted the necessary permits to local authorities, ensuring that the project adhered to all regulations and safety standards.

‍

Regulatory compliance: The installation was fully compliant with all local, state, and federal guidelines governing EV charging infrastructure, ensuring that SFCU met the necessary legal requirements.

‍

3.   Maximizing Incentive Savings

One of the key benefits of working with our team at SourceForward and DVM Industries was our deep knowledge of available incentive programs. By leveraging these programs, we were able to secure significant savings for SFCU, reducing the overall project cost.

‍

Incentive management: We handled all paperwork and reporting required to apply for available incentives, ensuring thatSFCU received the maximum savings possible.

Through these efforts, SFCU saved $30,000 on the installation.

Cost reduction: By securing $30,000 in incentive savings, the total project cost for

SFCU was significantly reduced, making the installation of the EV charging stations an affordable investment in the credit union’s future.

‍

4.   Ongoing Maintenance and Support

Installing EV charging stations is only the first step—ensuring they remain operational over the long term is critical.

‍

Our provided SFCU with a comprehensive maintenance plan, which included:

‍

Preventative maintenance: Regular inspections and servicing ensures that the EV chargers remain in optimal working condition. We aim to prevent problems to enhance the customer experience, rather than constantly trying to play catch up with known EV charging issues.

‍

24/7 support: In the event of any technical issues, our team provides round-the-clock support to ensure any problems will be resolved quickly and efficiently.

‍

The Result

‍

Thanks to our comprehensive support, Suffolk Federal Credit Union was able to achieve its sustainability goals while providing a valuable service to its members. The key outcomes of the project included:

‍

-  Number of Charging Stations: 4

- Total Incentive Savings: $30,000

-  Enhanced brand image: By offering EV charging stations, SFCU positioned itself as an eco-friendly, forward-thinking institution committed to sustainability.

‍

The successful installation of EV charging stations helped SFCU meet the needs of its eco-conscious members, as well as reinforce the credit union’s commitment to

environmental responsibility. The project attracted positive attention from the community and provided SFCU with a new amenity that added value to its services.

‍

The Winning Approach to Large-Scale Projects

‍

Our success in helping SFCU install EV charging stations was the result of our winning approach, which combines deep collaboration with each client’s team, the flexibility to ensure unique projects run smoothly, technical expertise, in-depth knowledge of incentive programs, and a commitment to providing long-term support. Here’s why this approach is so continuously effective:

‍

End-to-end project management: Our team managed every aspect of the project, from site assessment to installation and maintenance, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for SFCU.

‍

Incentive expertise: We leaned on our knowledge of available incentive programs and consistent timely filing to secure $30,000 in savings for SFCU, making the project significantly more affordable.

‍

Ongoing support: With a comprehensive maintenance plan in place, SFCU is confident that its EV charging stations will remain operational and continue to serve its members for years to come.

‍

Next Steps for Suffolk Federal Credit Union

‍

Building on the success of the EV charging station installation, SFCU is exploring additional sustainability initiatives, including expanding its network of EV chargers across more branch locations. The credit union is committed to staying ahead of industry trends and providing modern amenities that meet the evolving needs of its members.

‍

Conclusion

‍

Suffolk Federal Credit Union’s partnership with us at Source Forward and DVM Industries demonstrates the value of working with an experienced EV charging infrastructure provider. Our ability to manage the entire installation process, secure significant incentive savings, and provide ongoing support made us the ideal partner for SFCU’s project.

‍

If your business is considering installing EV charging stations, reach out to us at SourceForward and DVM Industries today. We would love to learn more about how we can help you achieve your sustainability goals.