Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series: Lower Cost Charging Options-09.17.26 Sustainable Fleet Technology: Lower Cost Charging Options Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar examined ways fleets can reduce EV charging costs by matching infrastructure to vehicles’ actual energy needs, schedules, and parking time rather than defaulting to high-power chargers.<br /><br />Speakers recommended starting with fleet-wide screening and collecting data on daily and peak mileage, vehicle efficiency, duty cycles, charging windows, site electrical capacity, utility rates, and future growth. A sample analysis showed how daily energy needs and a long overnight dwell time can translate into a much lower average power requirement than fleets might assume.<br /><br />Key strategies included charging take-home fleet vehicles at employees’ homes, using Level 1 charging where vehicles are parked for long periods, and sharing fewer Level 2 ports across multiple vehicles. Managed charging can prioritize essential vehicles, reduce simultaneous demand, and help avoid electrical upgrades. One municipal case study found five existing ports could serve 17 EVs, avoiding more than $80,000 in infrastructure work.<br /><br />The discussion also covered lower-cost smart outlets for multifamily properties, charging equipment mounted on streetlights, utility rates and demand charges, ADA considerations, and the potential role of solar, batteries, and microgrids. Speakers emphasized that these options depend on local conditions and operational needs.<br /><br />The central takeaway was to plan around daily energy use and dwell time, use practical buffers, and phase investments as fleets grow. Overbuilding charging capacity can add substantial cost without improving readiness.

Keywords

EV charging costs

fleet electrification

charging infrastructure

managed charging

Level 1 charging

Level 2 charging

dwell time

duty cycles

demand charges

utility rates

smart outlets

microgrids