In brief
Charging infrastructure means all the charging options available to a fleet. It includes charge points at company sites, at drivers’ homes, and in the public network.
Where can vehicles be charged?
At the company site using wallboxes or charging stations, usually with alternating current at between 11 and 22 kilowatts. At home using a wallbox at the driver's residence, which is the cheapest option for vehicles assigned to a specific person. And on the road using public charge points, generally billed through a charging card.
Most fleets use a combination of these options. Their relative shares affect energy costs more than the choice of vehicle.
What needs to be clarified when installing chargers at a site?
Start with the available grid connection capacity. If it is insufficient, the options are a grid upgrade, which costs time and money, or load management, which distributes the available power among connected vehicles. In most cases, load management is more economical because vehicles are parked for a long time overnight anyway.
Permits, coordination with the grid operator, the property owner's consent for rented premises, and recurring inspections of electrical installations must also be considered.
How many charge points are needed?
Fewer than the number of vehicles, provided the parking periods are long enough. What matters is the number of vehicles charging at the same time and the time available, rather than the total number of vehicles. A vehicle parked for twelve hours does not need fast charging.
Planning should therefore be based on actual parking periods and daily distances. Providing one charge point for every vehicle instead creates an oversized installation and ties up capital needed elsewhere.
Further reading
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