Transitioning to an electric commercial truck or van involves a few important steps when it comes to charging:
1. Assess Your Commercial EV Charging Needs
Daily Range: Estimate the average daily distance your vehicle travels to ensure the battery can handle it.
Charging Time: Consider how much time you have to charge the vehicle, whether it needs to be fully charged overnight or if you can charge periodically during the operating shift.
Commercial Vehicle Usage: If your vehicle is used intermittently during the day, you might need access to fast-charging stations to minimize downtime.
2. Home/Workplace Charging Setup
Home Charging: If you park your vehicle at home, you may need to install a Level 2 charger (240V), which charges significantly faster than a standard 120V outlet (Level 1).
• A professional electrician can install a Level 2 charger in your garage or parking area.
• Verify that your electrical panel can handle the added load.
Workplace Charging: If your vehicle is primarily used for work, consider installing commercial EV chargers at your work site.
• Many companies offer employee EV charging stations as part of sustainability efforts for personal vehicles.
• Depending on the size of your commercial fleet, you might need multiple charging points or fast chargers (DC fast chargers) for your commercial truck or van.
3. Public Charging Network
Accessing Public Chargers: Familiarize yourself with local public charging infrastructure like Tesla Superchargers, ChargePoint, or other networks. Use apps, onboard navigation systems or visit Comvoy range and station map to locate the nearby commercial EV charging stations.
Charging Speed: Understand the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast chargers.
• Level 1 chargers are slow but could be fine for overnight charging.
• Level 2 chargers offer a good balance of speed and availability.
• DC fast chargers are ideal for quick, top-up charges, but might not always be available or accessible.
4. Route Planning
Plan your routes to include charging stops if you expect to exceed your vehicle’s range. Apps can help you optimize routes based on available charging stations. Some EVs come with pre-installed recharging station maps.
5. Monitor Charging Costs
Electricity Pricing: Electricity costs may vary, so it’s good to check whether home charging is more cost-effective or if public charging stations offer competitive rates.
Utility Incentives: Some electric utilities offer lower rates for off-peak charging, which could be useful for overnight charging.
6. Fleet Management and Logistics
If you operate a fleet of electric work vehicles, consider a fleet management system that tracks charge levels and charging needs. Some software allows you to schedule charging times to optimize cost and ensure vehicles are ready when needed.
Employee Charging at Home: Many smaller commercial vehicles are brought home by employees, so they can get a jump on their jobs the next day. It is important to support employees with the means to charge fleet vehicles at their residences and the first step is to help them find certified commercial EV charger electricians.
7. Maintenance and Longevity
• Ensure regular maintenance of the charging equipment, both at home and at work.
• Keep the battery charged to a moderate level (not always at 100%) to extend its life.
By considering these factors, you can make a smoother transition to an electric work vehicle and ensure that charging won’t disrupt your workflow.
