What do fleets need from public EV charging?

In March this year, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for over 16% of all vehicle sales, and commercial fleets are emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments in the EV transition. Many businesses are recognising the benefits of switching to EVs, with lower maintenance costs and a growing range of electric models to choose from. And with the increasing number of low-emission zones, businesses are looking for ways to make the inevitable transition easier. However, one of the biggest concerns for businesses and drivers is access to charging infrastructure that is fast, and suits the driver’s and company’s needs.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) highlights the importance of charging infrastructure, stating that "access to fast, affordable, reliable, accessible, and secure charging infrastructure is the biggest concern that organisations and drivers are facing when planning for their electric future." As such, getting charging infrastructure right for fleets will be crucial for the charging networks that lead the transition to low-emission transport.

Together with our partner, Allstar Business Solutions, we identified the following requirements.

1. Fast Charging: Fleets require charging speeds that are rapid, with a minimum of 50kW, to help ease time pressures on vehicle schedules and duty cycles.
2. Reliable Charging: Reliability is essential for fleets, with speedy 24/7 customer service response and resolution if anything does go wrong.
3. Easy Payment: Payment should be straightforward, with just one-tap to start and end the charging session. With so many different charging networks, direct, consolidated billing to the company, such as with the Allstar One Electric card, simplifies the process and makes it easy to track.
4. Secure and Seamless Billing: A secure service that tracks and bills public and home charging to the same account is essential to make billing easy.
5. Accessible Charging: Multi-charger hubs that have bigger bays ensure access and availability for commercial vehicles.

Osprey’s nationwide rapid charging network, enabled with fleet and fuel card partners such as Allstar, is built to meet all these needs. In 2022, we increased usage from fleet and business drivers by 99%, and we expect 2023 to be another year of significant growth.

In conclusion, to lead the transition to low-emission transport, charging networks need to ensure their infrastructure and systems are appropriate to meet the needs of commercial fleets. Providing fast, reliable, easy-to-use, and accessible charging infrastructure is key, and the Osprey nationwide rapid charging network is well-positioned to meet these needs. By delivering a seamless charging experience, we can help fleets transition to electric vehicles with confidence, knowing that they have the support they need to make the switch.