Van & Light Commercial Fleet Charging: Charge Overnight, Top Up When You Must.
Delivery and service vans usually return to the depot every night, which makes overnight AC charging the backbone of a van fleet. DC charging fills the gaps for vans that run double shifts.
How Your Vans Run Decides the Chargers.
| Fleet pattern | Typical daily distance | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| Single shift, back at the depot every night | 80–200 km | 7–11 kW AC per van overnight; ten hours at 11 kW delivers about 110 kWh |
| Double shifts or same-day returns | 200 km and more | AC overnight plus a compact DC charger for top-ups between shifts |
| Vans taken home by drivers | Varies | Home chargers or portable units, with charging costs reimbursed per kWh |
| Mixed depot with cars and vans | Varies | AC bays with scheduling so vans leaving first charge first |
| Larger trucks | High | Higher-power DC, planned as a separate project |
Many vans accept a maximum of 11 kW AC, so 22 kW AC rarely charges a van faster than 11 kW.
How Much Charging Does a Van Fleet Need?
Vans use more energy than cars, so plan depot charging around each van's daily kWh rather than peak charger speed.
| Charging Power | Range Added per Hour | Time to Add 100 km (62 mi) | Good Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.4 kW ACSingle-phase wallbox | ≈ 26 km / 16 mi | ≈ 3.8 h | Vans with short daily routes |
| 11 kW ACThree-phase wallbox | ≈ 39 km / 24 mi | ≈ 2.5 h | Standard overnight depot bays |
| 22 kW ACThree-phase wallbox | ≈ 79 km / 49 mi* | ≈ 1.3 h* | Vans that accept 22 kW AC and need faster turnaround |
| 22 kW DCCompact DC | ≈ 79 km / 49 mi | ≈ 1.3 h | Mid-shift top-ups and double-shift vans |
Estimates assume average consumption of 28 kWh per 100 km (about 2.2 miles per kWh), a typical figure for electric delivery vans, and do not include charging losses; real results vary with the vehicle, temperature and battery level. *AC charging speed is capped by the vehicle's onboard charger. Many EVs accept 11 kW AC at most, so a 22 kW AC charger gives those cars 11 kW. DC charging bypasses the onboard charger.
Laying Out a Charging Depot.
Work back from departure times
List when each van leaves and how far it drives. That tells you how much energy each bay must deliver and by when.
Share power across the depot
Load management spreads the available supply across all bays and gives priority to vans that leave first.
Park nose-in, cable short
Plan bays so cables reach the charge port without crossing walkways, and use tethered cable holders to keep the yard tidy.
Protect the chargers
Busy yards mean reversing vans. Bollards or wheel stops in front of every charger are cheaper than replacing one.
Weather and lighting
Outdoor depots need IP-rated chargers and good lighting for early starts.
Leave room to grow
Size cables and ducting for the full fleet, not just the first vans you electrify.
Keep Energy Costs Under Control.
Charge on off-peak tariffs
Overnight charging can run on the cheapest electricity rates if the schedule allows it.
One RFID card per van
Every session is tied to a vehicle, so energy costs can be allocated per van, route or customer.
Home charging reimbursement
For vans that go home with drivers, a per-kWh reimbursement keeps costs fair for both sides.
Spare capacity for breakdowns
One spare charger, or a portable unit, keeps the fleet moving when a bay is out of service.
Chargers That Fit Van Depots.
Specifications from our current product catalogue. Certificates are listed per model in every quote.
EV-ACT1602PE wallbox
- 11 kW, 16 A, 380–400 V three-phase
- Tethered Type 2 cable, CEE 5-pin plug
- RFID card, app and plug-and-charge start
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 4G optional
Best for overnight van bays; most vans charge at up to 11 kW AC.
EV-ACT3204PE wallbox
- 22 kW, 32 A, 380–400 V three-phase
- Tethered Type 2 cable, CEE 5-pin plug
- RFID card, app and plug-and-charge start
- IP66
Best for mixed depots where some vehicles accept 22 kW AC.
EV-RHDC30K-L compact DC charger
- 22 kW DC output, single tethered connector
- 380–415 V three-phase input
- OCPP 1.6J, RFID card and app start
- IP54, 5 m cable, floor-standing
Best for top-ups between shifts.
EV-ACS3205PE portable charger
- 22 kW, 32 A, 400 V three-phase
- CEE 5-pin plug, Type 2 connector
- 2.4″ screen, delayed start 1–12 h
- IP66
Best for drivers who take vans home in Type 2 markets.
EV-ACT4001U / EV-ACT4001T
- Up to 40 A, 9.6 kW, 208–240 V
- J1772 (U) or NACS (T), 25 ft cable
- NEMA 14-50 plug, needs a 50 A breaker
- NEMA 4 / IP66, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Best for overnight bays at North American depots.
EV-ACS4005U / EV-ACS4005T
- 40 A, 9.6 kW, 120/240 V
- J1772 (U) or NACS (T), 25 ft cable
- NEMA 14-50 plug, 2.4″ screen
- Delayed start 1–12 h
Best for North American drivers who take vans home.
Final circuit sizing and permits must follow your local electrical code and be confirmed by a licensed electrician.
Rules to Check Before You Install.
Private chargers for residents, employees or company vehicles face fewer payment rules than public ones, but safety, grid and smart-charging rules still apply. If members of the public can use them, public-charger payment rules apply too.
United States & Canada
- Safety listing from a recognized testing lab (UL, ETL or CSA mark) for the exact model
- Installation to NEC Article 625 in the US or the Canadian Electrical Code, usually under an electrical permit
- Connectors: SAE J1772 or NACS (SAE J3400)
- In California, renters and condo owners have a legal right to request a charger (Civil Code 1947.6 and 4745), subject to conditions
European Union
- CE marking, with chargers built to IEC 61851
- Connector: Type 2
- In Germany, chargers up to 11 kW must be registered with the grid operator, and chargers above 11 kW need its approval before installation
- The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires charging points and pre-cabling in new and majorly renovated buildings with car parks, as transposed by each country
United Kingdom
- UKCA or CE marking
- Connector: Type 2
- Home and workplace chargers sold in Great Britain must meet the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, including smart functionality, default off-peak charging hours and a randomised start delay
- Installation by a qualified electrician to BS 7671, with the local network operator notified
Depot, Top-Up or Home?
Most van fleets combine more than one charging location. Plan each one around your routes and shifts.
Overnight Depot Charging
Best for: Vans that return to base every evening.
How it works: AC chargers with load balancing refill every van overnight within the depot's supply limit.
Watch out for: Enough bays for every van, and a clear plug-in routine at the end of each shift.
DC Top-Up Between Shifts
Best for: Double shifts and long routes.
How it works: One or more DC chargers add range during loading or driver breaks.
Watch out for: Higher installation cost per bay, so keep DC bays free for the vans that need them.
Driver Home Charging
Best for: Vans that are taken home overnight.
How it works: Drivers charge at home with company-issued chargers, and the app records energy for reimbursement.
Watch out for: Agreeing how home electricity is reimbursed under local tax rules.
Send Us These 6 Details for a Tailored Plan.
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Van Fleet EV Charging — Frequently Asked Questions.
Is overnight AC charging enough for delivery vans?
For most single-shift fleets, yes. A van parked for ten hours on an 11 kW charger can take about 110 kWh, more than most delivery rounds use.
When does a van depot need DC charging?
When vans run double shifts or return during the day with little range left. A compact DC charger tops them up between runs.
Should we buy 22 kW AC chargers for vans?
Only if your vans accept 22 kW AC. Many vans are limited to 11 kW AC, so an 11 kW charger charges them just as fast at a lower cost.
How do we stop the depot supply from overloading?
Load management shares the available power across all bays and gives priority to vans that leave first, which often avoids a supply upgrade.
How do we allocate charging costs per vehicle?
Give each van its own RFID card. Every session is logged by vehicle, so you can split costs by van, route or customer.
What about vans that drivers take home?
Drivers can charge at home with a wallbox or portable charger, and you reimburse the energy per kWh from the charger’s session records.
Power Up Your Logistics Fleet With Heavy-Duty Charging Solutions.
Send us your fleet size, vehicle models, daily distances and depot supply. We will work out how many AC and DC chargers you need and how to schedule them.