EV charging for fleets and depots: what power and funding?

Size depot charging around vehicle energy needs and departure times, then check available grid capacity. The Depot Charging Scheme page says a further application window is expected on 28 October 2026 [S1]. Its future grant rate is unconfirmed. Compare fully funded service costs with part funded and self funded returns using your routes, metering and operating days. Checked October 2026.

Last checked 16 October 2026

How much power do you need for EV charging for fleets?

Start with route energy and the time each vehicle is parked. Your van-fleet return pattern may suit overnight charging. A logistics-warehouse operation may need staggered sessions around shifts. Taxi-and-private-hire drivers may need daytime turnaround. Bus-and-coach operations need their own vehicle and duty-cycle model. A trades-business fleet may park at employees’ homes rather than your depot.

Record daily route distance, measured vehicle consumption, reserve energy, return time and departure deadline. Use winter duty data and vehicle specifications rather than a car-based rule of thumb. Charger selection follows the energy and operating schedule, not the other way round.

kW means kilowatts, the charging power; kWh means kilowatt-hours, the energy delivered. For an assumed fleet of 30 vans each needing 30 kWh overnight, battery energy is 30 × 30 = 900 kWh. Across an assumed ten-hour window, average battery power is 90 kW. At an assumed 90% charging efficiency, grid energy is 1,000 kWh and average grid power is 100 kW. This arithmetic is an illustration, not a vehicle performance claim.

Add building demand and the actual arrival schedule. Average power is not the peak connection requirement. Ask the designer to show what happens when a late vehicle arrives or a charger fails.

How do you plan the grid connection early?

Your distribution network operator, or DNO, manages the local electricity network. The government connections guide explains the route to a connection assessment [S2]. Submit a demand schedule and ask for itemised costs, scope and delivery milestones. Check your existing agreed capacity before ordering chargers.

Compare a phased rollout, controlled charging and additional capacity using the same departure requirements. If a battery is proposed to buffer peaks, require its discharge power, usable energy and recharge plan. It cannot fix an energy shortfall unless there is enough time and capacity to recharge it.

For generation or storage, G99 is the engineering connection standard for relevant equipment. Ask which process applies; UK Power Networks describes its generation application route [S4]. If a bidder specifies OCPP, it means Open Charge Point Protocol, used for charger-management communication [S6]. Require a demonstrated change-of-manager and data-export process rather than treating the acronym as proof of portability.

What does an EV charging station cost?

Compare the funding models against the same route schedule, supply scope and support service.

Agree the contract term, tariff review, electricity payer and maintenance scope. Have your solicitor assess access rights, liability, early exit, insolvency, removal and any exclusivity. Protect loading areas and accessible bays. Ask planning and building control bodies to assess the works; ask your accountant about business rates. Review commercial charging costs and funding versus ownership.

An illustration, not a quote

This is an assumed paid charging service for contracted third-party fleets. It is not income from charging your own vehicles. All inputs are assumptions, including costs and shares. No grant is included.

Annual energy = sessions × 30 × 250. Sales = energy × £0.35; operating net = energy × £0.15 − £1,500. Fully funded host income = sales × 10%; part funded net = operating net × 50%. Simple ROI = annual host net ÷ host capital × 100%; payback = host capital ÷ annual host net.

Central mid-use self funded payback = £65,000 ÷ £21,000 = 3.10 years. Matching investing-model returns follow only from the equal split. Fully funded has no host capital recovery period. Results are rounded and exclude VAT, tax, finance, major replacement, parking displacement and new grid works.

For your own fleet, replace sales with a measured avoided-cost comparison against your actual alternative, including vehicle cost differences and driver time where evidenced. Internal accounting transfers are not new host income. If a fully funded provider serves only your own vehicles, assess its service bill; do not assume it also pays you host income. Use the payback guide.

What is the EV infrastructure grant for fleets?

The separate staff-and-fleet infrastructure grant closed to installer claims on 26 May 2026 [S7]. Distinguish it from WCS and the Depot Charging Scheme when reviewing an old quotation or search result.

On the date checked, the Depot Charging Scheme’s detailed text says applications are closed. A further window is expected from 28 October 2026 to 29 January 2027, with its grant rates unconfirmed [S1]. The page’s headline closing-date field conflicts with that text. Confirm status with the scheme before making commitments.

The earlier round’s rate is not assumed to carry forward. The scheme also specifies cost recovery for shared fleet use under its conditions [S1]. Do not combine that restriction with the commercial margin illustration without checking compatibility. Have your accountant assess grant terms and overlapping support.

HMRC describes a 100% first-year allowance on qualifying chargepoint expenditure [S5]. It is a tax deduction, not the purchase price returned in cash. Check with your accountant before including relief in your appraisal.

Next steps

Compare farms and rural businesses or browse the sector hub.

Staff/fleet-only charging and public access have different regulatory scope [S3]. Before opening spare bays to the public, have your solicitor assess the duties and exemptions. Price the additional operation separately.

Gather route energy, departure deadlines, supply records and a site plan. Compare storage with solar and battery ROI, then get matched with an installer that covers your area.

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