Which EV Charging Solution is Best for Your Fleet?

Finding the optimal charging solution for your EV fleet is a critical step along the fleet electrification journey. There are many factors to consider when deciding which solution is best suited including driver behavior, up-front costs, and installation complexity.

Download our easy-to -navigate reference sheet to help you assess the different types of EV charging solutions and find out which solution or combination of solutions best serves your fleet’s needs.

Element's EV Charging Solutions Guide

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Match your fleet needs to the best-fit charging solution

Home Solution

Did you know that approximately 80% of EV fleet charging is done at home? Home charging is a convenient and relatively inexpensive solution for take-home fleets due to low capital investment and predictable charging costs. However, installing home chargers at multiple driver residences can be complex. Arc by Element™ can support your charger selection, facilitate installation, and provide fuel reimbursement solutions for your drivers at scale.

Workplace Solution

Workplace charging is ideal for drivers who commute into the office where they have longer dwell times. Planning for leased versus owned properties upgrades adds to the complexity of workplace charging. Arc by Element™ can help develop the right charging solution for both owned and leased properties and establish a strategy to identify the right energy management practices for your EV operations.

Public Solution

Public charging costs and availability can vary significantly, depending on your driver’s location and the level of charger. Public charging is typically used to supplement private solutions as it costs more per kWh. In situations where public charging is the only option, careful analysis must be performed to determine operational feasibility. Regardless of the circumstance, Arc by Element™ can support the feasibility analysis and leverage existing fuel-card processes with charging networks. In addition, we can help you build solutions that balance the use of public charging with other charging options.

Depot Solution

Depot-based service vehicle electrification is accelerating, and most organizations need a custom charging solution for their depot/storage facility network. Companies exploring depot solutions will want to consider how infrastructure needs may grow over time and how this will impact general site layout, incoming utility service requirements, and peak power demand. Arc by Element™ can help you develop best-in-class solutions to electrify your fleet and manage your costs successfully.

Depot solutions are significantly more challenging than other charging scenarios due to factors like:

1. Site design, planning, and timeline

2. Charging load and power demand analysis

3. Utility partner planning and distribution upgrades

4. Permitting and approvals

5. Utility distribution upgrades

6. Construction impacts

Charging solutions – fleet use comparison chart

Home	Workplace	Public	Depot
Convenient and cost-effective Requires up-front installation at each driver’s residence	Ideal for drivers who commute and have long dwell times at the office Planning for upgrades in leased vs. owned properties adds complexity	More expensive charging rates ($/kWh) Ideal for operations that require a complementary charge for extended trips or a quick stop	Complex to implement due to factors like site design, charging load, utility partner planning etc. Planning for present and future infrastructure needs is essential to control for site rework.

Understand the 3 categories of EV chargers and how they are best used

Level 1

Level 1 chargers are included with almost all plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) purchases. These portable chargers plug into any existing 120V outlet. Most fleet battery electric vehicles have greater range requirements and are better supported by Level 2 chargers.

Level 2

Level 2 chargers can be supplied by a number of charging vendors as well as some EV manufacturers. They require a 240V circuit and generally require electrician support for installation. Residential chargers can be plugged in or hardwired. Commercial installations can be attached to a fixed wall or pedestal. Level 2 chargers are the most common and versatile chargers with applications across the 4 fleet charging solutions (home, workplace, public and depot).

Level 3 (DCFC)

Direct current fast chargers (DCFC) are supplied by charging vendors primarily for private depots or public networks. These chargers support higher power levels (>50kW) and charging speeds compared to home and some workplaces. For example, DCFCs can charge vehicles as quickly as 70 miles (113 km) in 5 minutes.

EV chargers – fleet use comparison chart

Level 1	Level 2	Level 3 (DCFC)
Suited for light-duty PHEVs and smaller battery EVs Drivers with routine commutes of under 40 miles (80 km) per day	Suited for light and medium-duty vehicles Most cost-effective for drivers that can park their vehicles at night for 8+ hours of downtime	DCFC charging is best suited for larger medium and heavy-duty truck use cases Suited for short-dwell charging (multi-shift) when a vehicle needs to charge in 30-50 minutes

Ready to take charge of your EV fleet?

Arc by Element™ can help you navigate the complexity of designing and rolling out charging infrastructure and support your EV fleet acquisition, financing, maintenance, and remarketing strategy. Download our EV charging guide today or get in touch with us to learn more.

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Which electric vehicle charging solution is best suited for your fleet?

Match your fleet needs to the best-fit charging solution

Home Solution

Workplace Solution

Public Solution

Depot Solution

Charging solutions – fleet use comparison chart

Understand the 3 categories of EV chargers and how they are best used

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3 (DCFC)

EV chargers – fleet use comparison chart

Ready to take charge of your EV fleet?

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