Choosing Your Charger

As fleet electrification gains momentum, choosing the right charging solution is crucial for efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability. At Evolt Charging, we understand that selecting the best charger for your fleet depends on several factors, including fleet size, vehicle type, and operational needs. This guide will help you navigate the options and make an informed decision. 

Before selecting a charger, assess your fleet’s daily operational requirements. If you can confidently answer the following questions below, you’ve got a head start, get in touch now to find your Evolt Charging solution. If not, don’t worry, Evolt Charging is here to help. We can arrange a meeting to discuss your specific needs. Consider factors such as: 

• Vehicle Types: Are you operating light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs)? Light-duty vehicles, generally require less power and can often be charged overnight using AC Chargers. Medium-duty EVs, may need a mix of AC Chargers and DC rapid charging depending on route demands. Heavy-duty EVs, such as electric lorries and buses, may require alternative high-capacity charging solutions with rapid charging capabilities to minimise downtime and keep operations running smoothly. 

• Range and Usage: What is the average distance your vehicles travel daily? Understanding daily mileage helps determine the most suitable charging strategy. Short-range fleets operating within a city may rely on AC charging, while long-haul fleets covering extensive distances require high-powered DC rapid chargers to sustain operations without significant downtime. It’s also essential to test vehicles through your leasing company or OEMs to understand the laden and unladen range. Fully loaded vehicles consume more energy, so fleet managers need to account for the impact of weight changes on battery range. 

• Downtime for Charging: Do vehicles return to a central depot overnight, or do they require on-the-go charging? If your fleet has dedicated downtime, depot charging is a cost-effective and reliable option. However, if your fleet operates continuously with minimal breaks, public rapid-charging networks or strategically placed DC rapid chargers along routes may be necessary to maintain productivity. 

• Power Availability: Does your site have the necessary electrical capacity, or will upgrades be needed? Assessing the existing electrical infrastructure is crucial before installing EV chargers. Some sites may require transformer upgrades or energy management solutions to balance loads efficiently. Investing in smart charging technology can also help distribute power effectively across multiple vehicles without exceeding grid limitations. Additionally, it’s vital to consider the power a vehicle can actually draw. For example, while some refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) have 300kWh battery packs, they may only be capable of drawing 40kW at a time. In such cases, a 25kW DC overnight charger may be the optimal solution rather than a high-powered charger that would be underutilised. 

Choosing the right charger depends on your fleet’s operational schedule and charging speed requirements. Here’s an overview of the main charger types: 

AC Chargers 

• Best for overnight charging at depots or workplace locations. 

• Delivers 7kW to 22kW, adding approximately 15-30 miles of range per hour. 

• Ideal for fleets with predictable schedules and long stay times. 

DC Rapid Chargers 

• Suitable for fleets requiring rapid turnaround times. 

• Delivers 50kW to 350kW, adding 100+ miles of range in 30 minutes. 

• Ideal for high-utilisation vehicles such as delivery and logistics fleets. 

Fleet Charging Hubs 

• Designed for large-scale fleet operations. 

• Offers multiple charging ports and dynamic load management. 

• Ensures optimised energy use and minimises infrastructure costs

Beyond choosing the charger type, other critical factors to evaluate include: 

1. Smart Charging & Dynamic Load Management

• Intelligent charging solutions optimise energy use, reducing peak demand costs. 

• Load balancing ensures efficient power distribution across multiple vehicles. 

2. Scalable Infrastructure

• Consider future fleet growth and ensure your charging infrastructure can expand as needed. 

• Modular charging solutions allow for phased implementation. 

3. Energy Costs & Incentives

• Take advantage of any available government incentives, and grants to offset costs. 

• Evaluate time-of-use electricity rates to schedule charging during off-peak hours. 

Evolt Charging provides end-to-end solutions tailored to fleet needs. From site assessment and charger selection to installation and ongoing maintenance, we ensure seamless fleet electrification. Our team is ready to support your transition with smart, scalable, and cost-effective charging solutions with our full turnkey offering. 

Ready to electrify your fleet? Contact Evolt Charging today to find the right charging solution for your business.