Switching your work trucks and vans to electric vehicles (EVs) offers huge long-term savings. You can look forward to lower fuel costs and easier maintenance. However, the first big hurdle is charging infrastructure. For small and mid-size fleets, building a charging depot can seem too expensive and complex. Therefore, smart, proactive planning is essential to make your EV transition a success. You do not need to electrify your whole fleet at once.

Step 1: Know Your Power Needs

The first step in planning is understanding how much energy your vehicles actually use. You must carefully look at your fleet’s current operations.

• Use your existing telematics data to find the average daily mileage for your light and medium-duty vehicles. For example, a plumbing van running a short service route will need less power than a delivery truck on a long, regional route.
• Convert those miles into total kilowatt-hours (kWh) needed each night. This calculation is vital.
• Consequently, you will know exactly how much power your depot needs to recharge your vehicles overnight. This prevents you from over- or under-buying equipment.

Step 2: Talk to Your Utility Company Right Away

Do not wait to call your local utility provider. The process of upgrading your electrical service can take a long time, sometimes months or even years. As a result, early communication is key to staying on schedule.

• Tell your utility company your long-term plan, even if you are only starting with a few EVs. They need to know the total power you plan to draw over the next five to ten years.
• Ask about special electric rate schedules for fleet charging. Many utilities offer lower rates for charging during off-peak hours, like late at night.
• Furthermore, inquire about any utility rebates or programs designed to help fleets install charging infrastructure. Many utilities offer financial incentives that can drastically reduce your initial investment cost.

Step 3: Choose the Right Chargers for Your Depot

For most work truck fleets that operate on predictable daytime routes, Level 2 (AC) chargers are the smartest and most cost-effective choice.

• Level 2 chargers can easily charge a work van or truck overnight, which is perfect for vehicles parked for 8-12 hours.
• They are much cheaper and simpler to install than the powerful DC fast chargers (DCFC) used on highways.
• However, if you have vehicles that need to turn around quickly for a second shift, consider installing just one or two DCFC units for backup.
• Look for networked, “smart” chargers. These allow you to schedule charging during off-peak hours to avoid expensive demand charges. They also give you remote control to monitor usage and access.

Step 4: Find Grants and Funding to Lower Costs

The initial cost of charging infrastructure can be shocking. Nevertheless, you do not have to pay for it all yourself. You should actively look for government and private funding opportunities.

• Check with your state and local government agencies for grants and tax credits. These programs are often designed to help businesses adopt cleaner vehicles.
• The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center is a good place to search for available federal and state incentives.
• By combining utility rebates with government grants, you can significantly reduce your total out-of-pocket expense. Thus, you make the shift to an electric fleet much more affordable.

Also read: Upgrades to Help Your Fleet Beat High Idling Times