July 21, 2025

Designing for the Future: EV and Telecom System Integration in New Developments

As the built environment adapts to achieve sustainability objectives and increasing digital needs, developers have a key challenge: EV and telecom system integration in the initial stages of new development. Instead of addressing these utilities as isolated systems, a coordinated design strategy provides operational, economic, and environmental advantages.

This blog investigates how strategic EV and telecom system integration can future-proof developments, minimize installation costs, and enable smart, connected infrastructure.

Why Telecom and EV Charging Can No Longer Be Handled Differently

Telecom and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure were handled individually in the past. However, increasing demand for intelligent connectivity at EV stations and fiber-based charging management units require a combined approach.

Both infrastructures have these in common:

  • Common trenching and conduit paths
  • Permit and utility coordination processes
  • Civil and electrical site-specific planning

By planning these elements at the same time, the designers can eliminate redundancies, reduce construction timelines, and avert costly retrofits in the future.

The Telecom Role in Smart EV Charging

Smart EV charging stations of the present day are more than mere power points. They rely on robust telecom connectivity for:

  • Real-time monitoring and diagnostics
  • User and payment platform authentication
  • Interfacing with building energy management software
  • 5G and fiber-optic interfaces ensure low-latency data transfer, which is essential for high-speed charging stations and fleet operations.

A McKinsey analysis of EV infrastructure found that network and digital connectivity is increasingly a default component in scalable EV systems, particularly for commercial and municipal applications.

This is testimony to the priority that must be accorded to telecom infrastructure as a foundation block—not a secondary consideration.

Benefits of a Single Design Approach

Cost Effectiveness

Combining trenching and utility coordination for telecommunications and EV charging reduces installation cost by up to 30%. Shared corridors mean less excavation, fewer permits, and accelerated project schedules.

Increased Reliability

When EV and telecom infrastructures are planned as a combined effort, there’s greater control of critical dependencies—signal reliability, power load balancing, and failover support.

Future-Readiness

Modular design for future upgrades allows developers to increase charging capacity and bandwidth easily as traffic builds.

Streamlined Permitting & Inspection

Streamlined design drawings and specifications make permitting easy. Bundled reviews, which most AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) now prefer, have become the norm, especially in states that are promoting EV and broadband rollout.

Engineering Considerations for Common Infrastructure

Collaborating with an experienced company like KMB Design Group ensures hitch-free integration of EV and telecom systems in all of the following:

  • Electrical and MEP engineering for power and load considerations
  • Telecom engineering to path fiber, achieve signal strength, and avoid interference
  • Civil and site planning to optimize layout, accessibility, and ADA compliance

Design Considerations

  • Conduit size and separation requirements for common conduits
  • Grounding coordination to protect and preserve signal integrity
  • Coordination with utilities for common service entry
  • The multi-disciplinary approach by KMB circumvents pitfalls.

Where EV and Telecom System Integration Makes the Biggest Impact

The benefits of EV and telecom system integration are most significant in:

  • Multifamily housing
  • Retail centers and mixed-use developments
  • Corporate campuses
  • Logistics centers and distribution centers
  • Municipal and public sector developments

In these cases, designing for mobility and connectivity from the start avoids fragmentation and promotes long-term value.

How KMB Helps Developers Design Smarter

KMB Design Group has extensive experience in EV and telecom system integration on commercial, residential, and institutional developments. Our engineering personnel:

  • Offer combined electrical and telecom design packages
  • Work directly with permitting authorities and local utilities
  • Maximize project schedules with in-house civil, MEP, and telecom specialists

With KMB, developers enjoy a strategic partner who understands the intersection of technology and infrastructure that drives both digital transformation and sustainability efforts.

Planning Ahead for EV and Telecom System Integration

To maximize your investment in EV and telecom infrastructure, keep these tips in mind:

  • Start integration planning early in site planning.
  • Engage an engineering firm with expertise in both areas.
  • Think ahead to long-term scalability and bandwidth requirements.
  • Package permitting processes to reduce project friction.
  • Design with flexibility to accommodate shifting standards.

As charging EVs and high-speed connectivity is increasingly in demand, the most intelligent innovations will be the ones that work to address these systems as holistic—because they are. EV and telecom system integration isn’t simply sensible—it’s required to develop infrastructure serving consumers of tomorrow.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of properties benefit most from EV and telecom system integration?

Mixed-use developments, corporate campuses, logistics hubs, multifamily housing, and retail centers all benefit significantly from integrated EV and telecom design. These properties require scalable, connected infrastructure to support tenant demand, energy management, and real-time service monitoring—making early integration a smart investment.

How can integrating telecom with EV charging lower project costs?

By planning telecom and EV charging systems together, developers can use shared conduit paths and perform joint trenching, which reduces installation labor and materials. This combined infrastructure strategy often cuts utility coordination costs by up to 30% while accelerating project timelines and avoiding future retrofits.

What are the benefits of combining EV and telecom planning in new construction projects?

Combining EV and telecom planning during the early stages of construction leads to lower installation costs, faster permitting, and more efficient use of space through shared trenching and conduit pathways. It also ensures that EV charging stations are properly connected to high-speed networks for smart functionality, future scalability, and real-time performance monitoring—making it a strategic advantage for long-term infrastructure value.

Who can help with EV and telecom integration for commercial and large-scale developments?

KMB Design Group is a leading engineering partner specializing in EV and telecom integration for commercial, mixed-use, and institutional projects. With in-house experts across MEP, telecom, civil, and EV charging infrastructure, KMB delivers coordinated designs that reduce costs, streamline permitting, and future-proof developments with scalable, connected utility systems. Their multi-disciplinary approach ensures seamless execution from planning through implementation.

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