5 Key Factors When Choosing EV Chargers for Your Commercial Fleet

The transition to an electric fleet is a strategic move toward efficiency and sustainability. A critical component of this shift is selecting the right charging infrastructure for your light and medium-duty vehicles. Making the right choice requires a clear understanding of your fleet's operational needs and your site's existing electrical infrastructure. 

This outline will introduce the fundamental factors in choosing EV chargers. While we'll cover the basics here, a fully optimized strategy requires a deeper dive found in our Charger Selection Guide for Light & Medium Duty Fleets. 

Before investing, you must confirm that the chargers you’re considering are compatible with your vehicles and your facility's electrical setup. Virtually all light and medium-duty EVs accept AC chargers, and many also accept DC charging. Each vehicle model has a maximum power acceptance rate which may make it unnecessary to spend more for a higher power charger. 

Furthermore, the charger's input voltage must match your site's electrical service. Many commercial sites use 240V power, which is compatible with AC chargers. However, more powerful DC chargers often require 480V service, which may require an electrical upgrade. 

Think about how quickly your vehicles need to be charged. For instance, a delivery fleet that operates on tight schedules may prefer DC fast chargers. On the other hand, Level 2 AC chargers are ideal for overnight depot charging for vehicles with a predictable dwell time, such as municipal fleets. Be sure to evaluate your facility’s power capacity to avoid overloading the system. 

EV chargers are broadly categorized by the type of power they deliver: AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current). This difference determines how quickly a vehicle can be charged. 

• AC Chargers: These are a simple and low-cost solution, making them the most common choice for depot charging where vehicles dwell overnight. They provide a reliable charge that ensures your fleet is ready for the next day. 

• DC Fast Chargers (DCFC): For fleets that need rapid turnarounds, DCFC is the answer. These high-power stations can charge a vehicle significantly faster, which is essential for fleets with high mileage or multiple daily shifts. 

Max AC and DC charging rates for popular fleet vehicles can be found in our Charger Selection Guide for Light & Medium Duty Vehicles.

Hardware is only half of the equation. A smart Charge Management System (CMS), such as ChargePilot®, transforms your charging stations into an intelligent, cost-effective network. 

Many facilities have limited electrical capacity. A CMS with load management capabilities can optimize charging schedules to use lower-cost electricity and avoid expensive demand charges. This ensures that every vehicle is ready for its route while keeping your utility bills in check. 

Planning how and where to install charging stations directly affects day-to-day operations and long-term fleet efficiency. Every site is unique, and charging stations vary in size, configuration, and features. 

Consider not just the number of chargers, but how they are positioned in relation to parking, traffic flow, and existing infrastructure. Multi-port chargers, available in both AC and DC models, can serve more than one vehicle or parking stall, maximizing both space and value. Choosing between sequential and simultaneous charging configurations impacts how quickly multiple vehicles can be charged at once; sequential models only power one port at a time, whereas simultaneous models divide available power across all active ports. 

Thoughtful planning here sets the stage for flexible, scalable fleet operations and keeps your transition to electric on track.