The Installation Season Effect: Why Fall 2025 Is Prime Time for Commercial EV Infrastructure
Here's something most commercial property owners don't realize: there's a hidden season that can make or break your EV charging installation timeline. We call it "Installation Season", and if you're thinking about adding EV infrastructure to your property, fall 2025 might be your golden window.
The September-November Sweet Spot
After five years of installing EV chargers across Oregon, we've noticed a pattern. The properties that get their installations done between September and November? They're operational and generating revenue while their competitors are still stuck in permitting limbo come spring.
It's not just about weather (though Oregon's mild falls certainly don't hurt). It's about timing your project when three critical factors align:
Budget cycles are closing. Most commercial properties finalize their capital expenditure plans between September and December. If EV charging isn't on your 2025 budget, it's probably not happening until 2026, and by then, you've missed a full year of tenant attraction and revenue generation.
Construction schedules open up. Summer is crazy busy for electrical contractors. Everyone wants their project done "before the rain starts." But fall? That's when you can actually get your first-choice installer, reasonable timelines, and attention to detail that summer rush jobs don't always get.
Permitting moves faster. City planning departments and utilities aren't juggling dozens of simultaneous projects like they do in peak construction season. Your application gets looked at sooner, questions get answered faster, and approvals come through when they promise they will.
The Real Cost of Waiting
Let's be honest about what "I'll think about it" actually costs you.
Every month your property doesn't have EV charging, you're losing competitive advantage. We're seeing commercial properties with reliable DC fast charging report 15-20% higher tenant satisfaction scores. Why? Because EV drivers, who tend to be higher-income demographics, see charging access as essential infrastructure, not a nice-to-have.
One of our clients, a retail property owner in Portland, put it perfectly: "I thought I was just adding a charger. Turns out I was solving a retention problem I didn't even know I had. Three of my best tenants had been quietly shopping for new locations because their customers kept asking about EV charging."
That's the hidden cost nobody talks about. Not just missing out on new opportunities, but losing existing value because you waited too long to future-proof your property.
Why This Fall Is Different
Oregon's EV infrastructure landscape is shifting fast, and fall 2025 sits right at the inflection point.
Incentive programs are hitting their stride. NEVI funding, PGE rebates, and state-level programs are all active simultaneously. But these programs don't last forever, and the properties that act first get the best access to funding. We're already seeing some rebate programs hitting capacity limits in high-demand areas.
Technology is mature but still evolving. The EV charging hardware available right now is reliable, proven, and cost-effective. But the next generation of ultra-fast charging is coming in 2026. Install now with OCPP-compatible systems, and you can upgrade software and capabilities without replacing hardware when the next wave arrives.
Market demand is accelerating. Oregon EV registrations are up 40% year-over-year, and that growth isn't slowing down. The properties that install charging infrastructure before their market gets saturated will establish themselves as the go-to destinations for EV drivers.
Beyond the Installation: The Partnership Advantage
Here's what we've learned from working with hundreds of Oregon businesses: the most successful EV charging installations aren't just about hardware. They're about finding a partner who understands that your charging station needs to work for your specific business model.
A brewery in the Columbia River Gorge has different needs than a shopping center in Portland. A multifamily property in Eugene faces different challenges than an office park in Bend. Cookie-cutter solutions don't work, and neither do vendors who disappear after installation.
The properties that get the best results work with installers who stick around. Who answer their phones when something goes wrong. Who help them optimize pricing and access policies. Who treat the installation as the beginning of a partnership, not the end of a transaction.
The Thunder Island Model
Right now, we're installing four DC fast chargers at Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks, and it's a perfect example of how Installation Season timing creates opportunity.
Thunder Island contacted us in late spring, but instead of rushing into a summer installation, we worked together to plan a fall timeline. That gave us time to:
Navigate utility interconnection requirements without summer rush delays
Secure optimal rebate funding through multiple programs
Plan the installation to minimize disruption during their busy summer season
Future-proof the system for tourism growth and regional expansion
By the time those chargers go live, Thunder Island will be positioned as the premier EV-friendly destination in the Columbia River Gorge. They'll capture tourism dollars from EV drivers all year round, extend average visitor stays, and establish themselves as forward-thinking leaders in rural Oregon hospitality.
That's what smart timing looks like.
The Bottom Line on Timing
Installation Season isn't just about getting your project done faster (though it definitely helps). It's about positioning your property for success in 2026 and beyond.
The commercial properties that act this fall will be operational before next year's travel season. They'll attract premium tenants, capture EV tourism dollars, and establish themselves as market leaders before their competition figures out what they're missing.
The properties that wait? They'll be watching from the sidelines while their competitors benefit from infrastructure they could have installed months earlier.
What Installation Season Looks Like for Your Property
If you're thinking about EV charging for your commercial property, here's how to make Installation Season work for you:
September: Site assessment, utility consultation, rebate application
October: Permitting, equipment ordering, installation scheduling
November: Installation, commissioning, go-live
December: Operational and ready for 2026 growth
It's not complicated, but it does require action. The properties that commit to Installation Season timing will be collecting revenue and attracting tenants while everyone else is still "thinking about it."
Ready to Make Your Move?
Installation Season 2025 is already underway, and the calendar fills up fast. If you're ready to future-proof your property with EV charging infrastructure that actually works for your business model, let's talk.
We're not here to sell you on the most expensive system or lock you into proprietary networks. We're here to help you make the smartest decision for your property, your tenants, and your long-term success.
Because the best time to install EV charging was five years ago. The second-best time is this fall.
Ready to explore EV charging for your commercial property? Contact Charli Charging for a free site assessment and learn how Installation Season timing can work for your specific location and business goals.
Charli Charging specializes in open-standard EV infrastructure for commercial properties. From retail centers to breweries to multifamily developments, we help property owners add EV charging that works for their business model and their bottom line.
