Top tips for EV charging for fleets

Fleets are leading the way for the UK’s EV adoption – with 80% of all new EVs registered in 2024 recorded for business use.

Supporting fleet drivers with EV charging

When switching to an EV, fleet drivers need to adjust their thinking from refuelling to recharging – considering where, when and how best to charge. The good news is that, with some planning, EV charging can be a convenient, cost-effective and straightforward process.

“By highlighting the numerous EV charging choices available and sharing best practice, fleet operators can help drivers transition smoothly to an EV mindset,” adds Emma.

There are a number of simple charging tips fleets can share with their drivers to help them transition to EVs, including:

1. Journey planning: Much like with petrol and diesel vehicles, some forward planning can help to optimise routes and journey times. For EV drivers, apps like ZapMap can help to identify charging points for longer business journeys and display the associated charging rates for these. VWFS Fleet’s EV journey planning guide can also help here.
   
   
2. Off-peak charging opportunities: If drivers have access to home charging, data from Ohme suggests the average UK driver could save more than £624 per year in comparison to fuelling a typical petrol vehicle. Additional savings can also be made if drivers take advantage of off-peak charging rates – and smart chargers can help drivers to access the lower electricity rates that are available from the grid during off-peak hours.
   
   
3. Community charging initiatives: Where drivers don’t have access to home charging, innovative schemes, such as Co Charger, can help drivers to take advantage of lower charging rates by ‘renting’ another driver’s home chargepoint. Drivers simply need to download the app, find a local charger, park up and plug in.
   
   
4. Cross-pavement charging solutions: Earlier this year, the government announced an extension of its home chargepoint grant, extending access to home charging solutions. This means that drivers who don’t have access to off-road charging, but do have adequate on-road parking, are now eligible to apply for funding for home chargepoint installations, once they’ve applied for permission from their local authority to install a cross-pavement charging solution.
   

Optimising fleet charging infrastructure strategies

Alongside supporting drivers with guidance around EV charging, businesses can also look to optimise the EV charging infrastructure they offer their workforce.

“Although many businesses associate on-site charging infrastructure with the fleet, the provision of reliable, accessible and affordable charging for all employees is crucial to the longer-term acceleration of EV adoption,” continues Emma.

“Business charging infrastructure can be a significant investment, and as such, it should be carefully planned to ensure both a relevant provision for current EV drivers, as well as a future-proofed installation that meets the long-term needs of the business.”

Some of the top considerations when designing business charging infrastructure include:

1. Determine EV charging needs: consider the number of EV chargepoints needed – thinking about both current and potential future requirements. Think about the potential number of vehicles, when charging is required, available space, how much power the organisation can access and the budget available.
   
   
2. Identify the equipment needed: the charging equipment needed will depend on a number of factors. It’s important to first understand who will be using the chargepoints, when they need to charge and how long they need access to them. For example, charging fleet vehicles overnight in a depot can use lower kW chargers, whereas a sales fleet with high mileage but regular office stops en route may need more rapid charging capabilities.
   
   
3. Assess electrical capacity: before charging infrastructure installation, consider: the electricity supply to the site, power demand from current business activity, current available electrical capacity and the additional power required.
   
   
4. Select the location of chargepoints: the location of chargepoints should be carefully considered, taking into account the proximity of the electrical supply to the site and available parking areas.
   
   
5. Create an EV charging policy: any workplace charging infrastructure installation should be supported by a comprehensive EV charging policy. This should include a clear set of guidelines to increase the adoption of workplace charging, as well as to encourage the proper use of charging equipment.
   
   

“Fleets are at the forefront of the UK’s EV adoption. As such, companies need to devise a clear fleet charging strategy that supports drivers and shares the information needed to maximise operationally efficient and convenient charging. This will help to ensure a seamless transition and driver engagement with fleet EV adoption,” concludes Emma.  

VWFS Fleet has developed a series of free guides to support fleets with their EV transitions, which are available here.