fleet charging
With the rapid development of global electric vehicle fleets, urban transportation is undergoing a profound transformation. Particularly in the field of electric bus charging, the construction of EV charging infrastructure has become crucial for driving the low-carbon transition of fleets. As a leading manufacturer of EV fleet charging infrastructure, Porcelana, with its technological innovation and production capacity advantages, occupies a significant position in the global electric vehicle fleet charging sector, providing core impetus for green transportation transformation in various countries. This article will comprehensively analyze the concepts, technologies, and cost components of “fleet charging,” and, combined with the case study of TKT’s collaboration with Olectra electric bus charging station in India, provide you with authoritative and practical insights.
Fleet charging refers to specialized facilities that provide centralized charging services for commercial electric vehicle fleets. Unlike ordinary electric vehicle chargers, it typically requires higher power output, faster charging speeds, and management capabilities to meet the needs of fleet operations. It includes components such as charging infrastructure, power transformation equipment, power supply systems, and intelligent management platforms. The chargers used in these infrastructure deliver direct current to the fleet batteries, bypassing the power limitations of on-board chargers, thus achieving ultra-high-power charging and enabling 24/7 operation.
As an official supplier to globally renowned automotive companies such as BYD and Tata Motors, TKT leverages its extensive technological expertise to provide EV fleet charging solutions, from core charging equipment to overall energy management, helping fleet operators achieve seamless electrification.
1. High Power Output: Typically requires DC fast charging with power outputs ranging from 80kW to 350kW or even higher to support large-capacity battery packs.
2. Fleet Management System: Integrates intelligent scheduling software to support dynamic load balancing. This prevents overloading the power grid while improving the overall charging efficiency of the fleet.
3. Environmental Adaptability: Features a robust, rust-proof, and corrosion-resistant casing to withstand the complex outdoor and dusty environments where vehicle fleets operate.
There are two main charging methods for electric vehicle fleets: centralized charging and pantograph charging.
1. Centralized Charging: This is currently the most common method. The fleet returns to the charging station at night or during operational breaks to recharge using high-power DC chargers. Depending on the fleet size and operating time, charging power can range from 80kW to 350kW or even higher. TKT EV fleet charging solutions offer flexible configurations to meet the charging needs of different fleet sizes.
Some customers are particularly concerned about operating costs and choose dedicated slow-charging stations for nighttime charging. This utilizes off-peak electricity prices for centralized charging, usually with a one-to-one vehicle-to-charger design. This method requires careful calculation of the mileage of each route and vehicle battery capacity. A comprehensive calculation is needed to determine if the slow charging overnight is sufficient for a full day’s operation. The reduced battery efficiency in winter also needs to be considered.
2. Pantograph Charging: This is a top-contact automatic charging technology. It typically involves rapid charging at bus starting points, termini, or hub stations during short stops of a few minutes to ten minutes. This method requires extremely high power density, mechanical reliability, and automation of the bus charging equipment. It also requires the buses to be equipped with this technology from the factory. Por lo tanto, its practicality is low, and it is not mainstream.
For most fleet operators, using centralized charging with DC fast charging infrastructure is the best option for efficient operation.
The charging time and driving range of an electric vehicle fleet are core indicators affecting its operational efficiency. The specific data is influenced by factors such as battery capacity, charging power, vehicle model, and operating environment.
Taking a common electric bus fleet as an example, full charging with DC fast charging can generally be completed within 1 a 4 horas.
Charging Time: This mainly depends on the charger power and battery capacity. A bus equipped with a 250kWh battery, using a 150kW DC charger, takes approximately 1 hour to charge from 20% a 80%. Using a higher-power 350kW charger, the time can be reduced to about 40 minutos. TKT intelligent charging system can precisely control the charging curve to minimize effective charging time while ensuring safety.
Driving Range: The driving range on a single full charge is typically between 150 y 350 kilómetros, depending on battery capacity, vehicle load, road conditions, and air conditioning usage. The range of mainstream electric buses can easily meet daily operational needs.
Por ejemplo, the Olectra V2 electric bus can achieve a range of approximately 150 kilometers on a single charge. The X2 model electric bus can achieve a range of approximately 300 kilometers on a single charge.
The construction and operation of electric fleet charging stations typically involve the following cost items:
1. Equipment procurement costs: Including charging equipment, transformers, distribution cabinets, monitoring systems, and other hardware.
2. Power connection: Including power capacity expansion, line modification, and grid approval.
3. Construction and civil engineering costs: Site modification (canopies, parking spaces, etc.), infrastructure construction (paving, etc.), line installation, and safety protection.
4. Operation and maintenance costs: Management systems, daily maintenance of EV charging infrastructure, and electricity costs.
The first three items are one-time investments. The last item requires continuous investment.
Overall, the construction cost of an electric vehicle fleet charging station is closely related to its scale, charging power, site conditions, and power connection requirements. Operating costs are affected by local electricity prices and charging frequency. In some countries and regions, governments also reduce the investment threshold for charging infrastructure through subsidies and tax incentives.
To give you a clearer idea, let me give you a real-world example. In India, building a charging station with 10 chargers of 180 kW charging power, including charging equipment and various construction costs, would cost approximately 50 million Indian Rupees, or about 550,000 US dollars.
India is one of the fastest-growing markets for electric buses globally. Leading local electric bus manufacturer Olectra plays a crucial role in promoting the electrification of public transportation in India. To ensure stable and efficient charging for its electric bus fleet, Olectra set extremely stringent standards when selecting fleet charging infrastructure partners.
TKT, with its excellent product reliability, extensive experience collaborating with international automotive companies such as TATA Motors, and local manufacturing and service capabilities in India, successfully became Olectra’s EV charging solution partner. TKT has a deep understanding of local power grid conditions, climate, and the characteristics of intensive fleet scheduling in India. We customized solutions to ensure high availability and low failure rates of charging stations. Currently, TKT has supplied Olectra with at least 700 DC chargers and has deployed charging stations in multiple cities.
In Pune, Olectra is supplying 50 new electric buses to the local bus company, with delivery scheduled to be completed by the end of January 2026. Addressing the issue of low charging efficiency with the existing chargers, Olectra once again partnered with TKT. The plan includes installing five new high-power DC fast chargers, reducing the charging time for each bus from the original 8 hours to 40-50 minutos, significantly improving bus operational efficiency. The EV fleet charging solutions feature a compatible design, adaptable to Olectra’s entire range of electric buses, and also include provisions for future expansion to accommodate 50 additional buses.
This series of collaborations not only strengthens the market competitiveness of Olectra’s electric bus products but also signifies the high recognition that TKT’s charging technology and service system have received in the high-end market.
As a crucial component in promoting future green transportation, professional EV fleet charging solutions provide technical and infrastructure support for the electrification of transportation. As a leading electric vehicle charger manufacturer in China, TKT is committed to providing efficient, intelligent, and customized charging solutions for electric vehicle fleets worldwide.
Are you planning a new EV fleet charging station? You can send us your vehicle quantity and daily mileage, and TKT engineers will provide you with a free “Charging Infrastructure Layout and Cost Estimation Plan.”
Product Recommendations:
1. Nuevos cargadores de CC para vehículos eléctricos | 60kW-180kW Click to Browse
2. Rapid EV Charging Station | 240kW/320kW Click to Browse
Browse more news: Dynamic Load Balancing EV Charger Explained, EV Charging Station Maintenance, Advantages of EV Charger Wholesale Strategy.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TKTHVAC/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tkt-hvac
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TKTHVAC
This article will explain what dynamic load balancing is, its necessity, working principle, value, y…
Electric Auto Rickshaws a low-cost, zero-emission solution for short-distance commuting. Learn about the changes they…
With the rapid growth in electric vehicle numbers, daily EV charging station maintenance has become…
With the acceleration of electrification, battery thermal management has become a core factor determining the…
As demand for charging infrastructure rapidly increases, the advantages of EV charger wholesale strategies become…
With tightening global environmental regulations, the choice of bus air conditioning refrigerants is no longer…