What Is Fleet Charging?

There is no denying that more people are adopting electric vehicles, and EV fleets are one of the reasons for this rapid expansion. Fleet managers and operators must think about how to charge their commercial fleet and maintain it working during deliveries and other types of business-related transportation as more companies convert their fleets to electric vehicles. So what does fleet charging actually mean?

Fleet charging is the process of recharging the batteries in EV fleet cars. An electric car's battery has to be recharged on occasion, much like a conventional fuel-powered vehicle has to be refilled.

For commercial or industrial environments, fleet charging stations with several charge outlets are installed. Just like any EV, to begin charging an electric fleet vehicle, a driver just slips the vehicle's connector into the EV charger station. There’s a few factors that the charge time depends on, like how full the battery is at time of charge, but generally, a fleet vehicle's charging time can range from 30 minutes to a few hours. You can delve deeper into EV charging times in this helpful Manta Power Resource about how long does it take to charge EV vehicles.

Before we go any farther with EV fleet charging, let's just go over what an EV fleet is.

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What is an EV fleet?

An EV fleet is a group of electric vehicles that are all owned or leased by the same organisation. A fleet of vehicles may be operated by a company, a government agency, a non-profit organisation, or another institution. Typical examples are taxis, buses, delivery vans and other forms of public transportation.

An EV fleet helps a business increase brand awareness and keep up a respectable public image.

Commercial EV fleet vehicles may be used for typical office duties including conferences, meetings, and deliveries. They can also be used to transport people and goods.

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EV Fleet Management

To properly manage a fleet of commercial electric vehicles, you must consider the size of the fleet and the total number of miles the vehicles will travel. Consider if your EV fleet drivers will need to use on-road public charging stations, work-base fleet charging stations included at key locations along the route of your fleet, or any combination of these to complete their jobs. It’s often the case that a mix of the available choices will be employed.

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What are the benefits of an EV fleet?

• Reduce fuel costs
• Reduce operating expenses
• Boost electric transportation
• Increase brand image and recognition

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What EV Charging Level Does EV Fleet Charging Use?

The least costly of the three charges is Level 1, followed by Level 2 and finally Level 3 at the most expensive.

Level 1 chargers are not recommended for usage in commercial properties since they are too slow and risk overloading the facility's electrical lines because they were not intended for commercial usage but rather for home use.

Since Level 2 chargers are more economical than DC fast chargers and have a suitable charging speed, most commercial establishments choose them for their locations. Other business properties that use heavy-duty EVs opt for Level 3+ chargers since their operations necessitate the most reliable charging option for their fleet cars.

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Fleet Charging Solutions

EV fleet charging stations can be situated anywhere you need them, whether that be at the company's headquarters or a crucial location along the EV route of the fleet. The only location-specific factor that needs to be considered is the availability of EV charging infrastructure. EV charging stations need to be able to connect to the grid in order to power a fleet. Whether or not there is an existing electrical infrastructure, charging infrastructure can be designed for and constructed.

Electric vehicles provide a whole new set of challenges in comparison to diesel or petrol-powered vehicles, but it’s nothing that can't be overcome. If a business wants to power their EV's at a low cost and sustainably, they need to be cautious of both high demand fees and the energy expenses associated with EV infrastructure. There are ways for power prices to be kept low e.g. by utilising technologies like smart charging and energy storage, and then there’s the Manta Power way..

We know that with all of these EV’s you will want and need to be able to easily manage them This is where Manta Power can help. With our dependable, user-friendly EV app, EV fleet owners can effortlessly manage all of the EV charging stations on their property.

With the Manta Power App you will be able to see the live status of each EV charger and easily set and view charging rates per Kwh. You can even allow your staff to charge their EV’s for a different rate and charge different prices at different times. 

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Should You Invest in EV Charging Stations?

So, here’s the big question: should your business invest in EV fleet charging stations? The answer is easy - yes! Don't delay. EV adoption is booming and all indications are that in the not too distant future, EVs will make up the majority of the vehicles on our roads.

Your clients and staff will be seeking out businesses that prioritise EV charging as they transition to using electric vehicles.

Your facilities will gain a great deal from having EV charging stations, whether they are used for fleet charging or workplace charging.

Get in touch today to discuss how Manta Power can take your business to the next level with EV charging.