Most return-to-base fleets should charge on AC overnight and keep DC for fast turnarounds. Vehicles parked for eight hours or more rarely need more than Level 2 power, and AC costs far less to buy and install per connector. DC earns its place only when a vehicle has to be back on the road within the hour, or works shifts that leave no overnight window.
Key Takeaways
- Decide from dwell time: hours parked means AC; under an hour means DC.
- DOE-cited costs make DC many times more expensive per connector than Level 2.
- A mixed depot, mostly AC with one DC unit, fits most fleets.
- Count the site demand peak, not just energy, when adding DC.
Start With Dwell Time and Daily Energy
The decision is arithmetic. A van that returns needing 60 kWh and parks for 10 hours needs an average of about 6 kW, which sits inside the Level 2 band of 7–19 kW published by the U.S. DOT. The same van on a two-hour turnaround needs about 30 kW, beyond what AC can deliver, so DC becomes the practical option. Our guide to sizing AC chargers for vans and light commercial vehicles works through this energy-versus-dwell calculation in detail.
AC and DC at a Depot, Side by Side
| AC Level 2 | DC fast charging | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical power | 7–19 kW | 50–350 kW |
| DOE-cited cost per connector | About $3,500 equipment + $2,500 installation (public Level 2) | About $38,000–$90,000 equipment + $20,000–$60,000 installation |
| Best for | Overnight and long depot stays | Fast turnarounds, two-shift work, midday top-ups |
| Effect on site peak | Moderate, and easy to share with load management | High; one session can set the site’s demand peak |
The cost gap is the deciding factor for most depots: one DC installation can cost as much as a row of AC posts covering the whole fleet. Our comparison of Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging puts the three levels in context.
When DC Earns Its Place
- Two-shift operations: vehicles rest for an hour or two between shifts, not overnight.
- High daily mileage: routes that use most of the battery and still need a midday top-up.
- No fixed parking: vehicles that cannot be guaranteed a depot space every night.
- Standby vehicles: units that must leave at full charge at short notice.
Many depots end up mixed: AC posts for the row, one DC unit for exceptions. Before pricing that DC unit, read our breakdown of commercial charging installation costs, because utility upgrades, not the charger, often drive the DC budget.
Depot Hardware From EVDANCE
For rows of vans, the EV-AC03201T dual-connector AC station delivers up to 43 kW shared across two connectors, with OCPP 1.6J and RFID for fleet records. For the turnaround bay, the EV-RHDC30K-L is a compact DC fast charger of 22 kW, sized for sites that need speed without a highway-grade installation. Both sit in our commercial charging range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one DC charger serve a whole fleet?
Only if vehicles can queue for it. One port charges one vehicle at a time, so a single DC unit becomes a bottleneck at shift change. Most fleets use it for exceptions and charge the bulk of vehicles on AC.
Does daily DC fast charging harm fleet batteries?
Heat and time at high charge matter more than the charger type alone, and guidance varies by vehicle maker. Follow the manufacturer’s fleet guidance; our article on how DC fast chargers work explains what happens during a session.
What size of DC charger makes sense at a depot?
Match it to the turnaround, not the brochure. If a vehicle needs 40 kWh in about 90 minutes, a compact unit around 20–30 kW covers it; larger units pay off only with back-to-back fast turnarounds.
Related Reading
- Fleet Depot Charging: How to Size AC Chargers for Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles
- Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC Fast Charging: A Practical Comparison
- How Do DC Fast Chargers Work?
- How Much Does It Cost to Install a Commercial EV Charging Station?
