In the age of smart phones, we have apps for every function of daily life. We need an app for making phone calls, an email app, a texting app, a music app, a calculator app, a navigation app, a money transfer app, a camera app, etc. Charging the EVs in your fleets isn’t much different; you need more than one type of charging to solution to properly fuel your fleet.
For a fleet of any size, you have different vehicle types, different use cases, and different schedules, all across different locations. That means you need a portfolio of charging solutions to serve that portfolio of EVs. You can think of six different “app” types, each serving a different need.
- Onsite Depot Charging: Chargers installed permanently at a location controlled by the fleet operator (can be owned or leased) to charge vehicles while they are not in use, typically overnight with Level 2 AC chargers, although for heavy-duty EVs DC fast chargers may be required.
- Home Charging: Chargers installed permanently at a fleet driver’s residence for overnight charging while the driver sleeps. Typically Level 2 AC chargers, although for drivers with low mileage a Level 1 charger (that plugs into a standard household 120V outlet) may be sufficient.
- Public Charging: Existing chargers installed by various charging networks that are used by individual drivers as well as fleets. Typically DC fast chargers, but for long-dwell time sites they can also be Level 2.
- Park and Charge: Today there are many existing chargers (primarily Level 2 AC chargers) installed at all types of locations, office parks, hotels, healthcare facilities, corporate campuses, etc., that are under-utilized, particularly at night-time. These locations can be aggregated and reserved by fleets for short- or long-term contract periods at below-retail prices.
- Multi-Fleet Hub Charging: A number of developers and charging networks build and operate DC fast charging sites specifically designed to serve the needs of fleets, and fleets can sign contracts to receive below-retail pricing in exchange for a minimum monthly commitment.
- Mobile/Temporary Charging: As an interim solution prior to permanent installation, or as backup option, various type of mobile and temporary charging options exist for fleets. These include chargers on temporary structures that can be quickly mounted in a parking lot but tied into existing building power, batteries tied to building power, batteries recharged off-site when not in use for charging vehicles, and liquid-fueled generator solutions connected to a tank of diesel or propane or natural gas on-site that is occasionally refilled.
Each person has a different combination of apps on their phone. Similarly, each fleet needs a different combination of charging solutions that suits its operations best. The tricky part is , figuring out the optimal portfolio to support your fleet. Inspiration Mobility has an entire team dedicated to this, working every day with every type of fleet, from 50 to 10,000 vehicles, to help them plan and then deploy that optimal charging solution portfolio.
If you’re looking for the best charging solution for your fleet’s needs, we’re here to help you understand the world of charging without making some costly mistakes. We can accelerate the process, reduce costs, and ensure that your charging plan is tailored to match up with your EV adoption plan.
Learn more about how you can optimize charging for your fleet