How can rural EV charging work for a small business?

Rural EV charging can work for a small business when battery storage and solar supply the extra power, so the site does not need a large grid connection. In Rockneby, a small village in Kalmar, Sweden, a local restaurant and store now offers fast charging to drivers on the E22 in exactly this way.

This article explains how the project came together, how it was funded, and what other small businesses can learn from it.

In this article

1. Why does rural EV charging matter?

2. Who is behind the Rockneby charging site?

3. How can fast charging work on a small grid connection?

4. How was the project funded?

5. What can other small businesses learn from Rockneby?

6. FAQ

Why does rural EV charging matter?

For electric vehicles to be a practical choice everywhere, drivers need reliable fast charging in smaller communities too, not only in big cities and along main motorways. Building fast charging in rural areas is harder. The commercial case can be more difficult to make, and the local grid often cannot supply high charging power.

Local businesses are well placed to fill this gap, because they are already where people stop.

Who is behind the Rockneby charging site?

Badie Nabi runs a restaurant and store in Rockneby, in Kalmar Municipality, close to the E22 through Kalmar County. On 23 September 2026, he opened a charging site with two ZOE DC fast chargers. They are the first of their kind installed in Sweden.

For Badie, charging is a new service for his customers and an extra source of income for the business. It also makes his site part of the charging network the Kalmar region needs.

“This investment means a lot for rural communities and the environment,” says Badie. “For me, it is also about being part of the solution and contributing to the important transition towards renewable energy and electrification.”

How can fast charging work on a small grid connection?

Batteries store energy in advance, so the grid does not have to deliver the full charging power the moment a car plugs in. In Rockneby, each charger has its own built-in battery, which stores energy from on-site solar panels. When a car needs more power than the grid can give, the battery supplies it.

To give a sense of scale, it helps to know what the units mean. Kilowatts (kW) measure how fast energy is delivered, and kilowatt hours (kWh) measure how much energy is stored. Each charger delivers up to 180 kW and holds 218 kWh of battery storage. Together, the two chargers offer up to 360 kW of charging power, all on a 63A grid connection. A conventional 360 kW installation would need a much larger connection.

This matters because upgrading the grid connection is often the biggest cost for a rural business. Pairing chargers with batteries can reduce that need, but every site is different and should be assessed first. The same principle applies to other businesses where customers stay for a while. Read more about how battery-powered fast charging works at gyms.

The chargers belong to Emaldo’s Z BOX-EV series, which combines battery storage, energy management and fast charging in one unit.

How was the project funded?

Klimatklivet, a Swedish government investment grant run by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, covered half of the investment cost. Badie got help with the application from Ladda Landsbygden, a regional initiative funded by Region Kalmar County and several municipalities, including Kalmar Municipality.

Ladda Landsbygden is managed by Miljöfordon Sverige. Its aim is to speed up the building of charging infrastructure in areas where the commercial case is harder to make.

“If we are to succeed in the transition to more electric vehicles across the country, we also need charging opportunities across the entire country, including in rural areas,” says Jonas Lööf of Miljöfordon Sverige and Ladda Landsbygden.

Outside Sweden: Klimatklivet is only available in Sweden. Other EU countries have their own support schemes, and what is available and who qualifies varies. Check national and local programmes before you plan your investment.

What can other small businesses learn from Rockneby?

The Rockneby project shows three things. A small grid connection does not have to stop you. Funding and local support can make the investment possible. And it helps to have one partner deliver the whole project.

Start with your location. Badie’s site sits next to a main road that drivers already use. Think about whether drivers pass or stop near your business.

Look for support. In Rockneby, a grant covered half of the cost, and a local initiative helped with the application. Your municipality or region may know what is available where you are.

Work with one partner. Emaldo delivered the integrated energy solution, installation and commissioning, so the whole project was handled in one place.

“Electrification cannot stop at the major cities,” says Henri Stendalen, Sales Manager at Emaldo. “The energy solutions of the future must work everywhere, even where conditions are different. Rural communities should not have to wait for the future.”

Could rural EV charging work for your business?

Rockneby shows that fast charging is possible outside the big cities, even on a small grid connection. Whether it suits your business depends on your location, your grid connection and the funding available in your country.

Contact us to talk about your site and what could work for you.

FAQ

Do I need a grid upgrade to offer fast charging?

Not always. Battery storage can supply charging power that the grid cannot, as it does in Rockneby. Whether you need an upgrade depends on your site, so it should be assessed first.

Is there funding for EV charging in my country?

It depends on where you are. In Sweden, Klimatklivet covered half of the cost for this project. Other EU countries have their own schemes with different rules.

Can EV charging earn money for my business?

It can create an additional source of income, as it has for Badie. How much depends on your location, how often the chargers are used, and your pricing.