Depot store refers to a charging strategy in which electric vehicles are charged at their depot or base station and the associated technologies. E-mobility for commercial vehicles can only succeed with the right charging infrastructure, which is more powerful than for electric cars. As electromobility is also expanding to freight transport, depot charging is increasingly becoming the focus of logistics companies. This strategy is particularly suitable for fleet operators who operate their vehicles according to fixed routes or schedules.
What sets Depotladen apart
Depot charging is characterized by a number of efficient and practical features. One key aspect is that the charging infrastructure is located at a central and secure locationthe depot. This is where trucks or vans typically return at the end of their route and stay for a longer period of time. This central location of the charging points enables concentrated charging infrastructurewhich, in contrast to decentralized distribution along the routes, significantly reduces the number of charging points required.
With Charging stations with storage or through dynamic electricity tariffs, the commercial vehicles can be charged overnight when they are not in use and the grid power is not available. often cheaper is. The regular return of the vehicles to the depot also makes it possible to reduce loading times. precise to plan and to optimize. In this way, the available energy can be used efficiently, which leads to improved utilization of the charging infrastructure and at the same time reduces Higher operating efficiency guaranteed.
Why e-mobility is becoming increasingly important for commercial vehicles
The EU and Germany are tightening the Regulations to reduce emissions in the transport sector. The CO₂ truck toll has been in force on German roads since December 1, 2023, and for vehicles weighing 7.5 tons or more, there is an additional surcharge of €200 per tonne of CO₂ emitted. This amount will increase in the coming years, as will the CO₂ certificates for companies.
The Environmental zonesin which only zero-emission or low-emission vehicles are allowed to drive are being further expanded. These measures are already forcing fleet operators of trucks and vans to switch to electric vehicles in order to avoid penalties and retain access to important markets. Electric commercial vehicles do not cause any direct CO₂ emissions during operation and therefore reduce the CO₂ footprint. They also emit no harmful air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) or particulate matter and reduce noise pollution.
Despite higher acquisition costs, electric commercial vehicles offer long-term Economic advantages. The operating costs for electric vehicles are generally lower than for vehicles with combustion engines, as electricity is cheaper than diesel or gasoline. In addition, electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, which reduces maintenance requirements and the associated costs. As electric mobility technologies become more widespread and are further developed, acquisition costs are falling and the total cost of ownership is becoming more attractive.
The Technology for electric vehicles, in particular battery technology, has developed considerably in recent years. Progress made. Modern batteries offer higher capacities and a longer service life, which increases the range of electric commercial vehicles and makes them more practical for everyday use. New developments such as fast-charging infrastructures and battery-powered energy storage systems further improve flexibility and application options, allowing longer distances and heavier loads to be handled.
Companies are under increasing pressure to act more sustainably and to improve their ESG balance sheet to improve. The use of electric commercial vehicles is a visible sign of commitment to sustainability and promotes the public image. Fleet operators and logistics companies that switch to electromobility can benefit from a positive market advantage and position themselves as environmentally conscious pioneers.
Finally, numerous financial incentives and subsidies are offered for the purchase of electric commercial vehicles and the development of charging infrastructure. These Support programs significantly reduce acquisition costs and make investing in electric vehicles more economically attractive for fleet operators. This includes tax breaks, subsidies for charging infrastructure and other financial benefits that facilitate the switch to electromobility.
Infrastructure requirements for depot loading
One High charging capacity is crucial for reliably charging several vehicles at the same time, especially overnight. This ensures that the vehicles are ready for use the next day. To make optimum use of the available electrical capacity and Load peaks to Avoidmust also usually Intelligent charging systems can be integrated. These systems dynamically adjust charging times and capacities to ensure even utilization of the power grid.
The Mains connection must be sufficiently dimensioned to provide the required amount of energy. In some cases, it is necessary to expand the power grid or integrate energy storage systems to cover peak loads. In addition, the charging infrastructure should be extremely reliable, as failures have a significant impact on operations. Redundant systems and regular maintenance are therefore necessary to ensure smooth operation.
Charging concepts for efficient depot charging
A well thought out Charging concept for depot loading requires careful planning and consideration of numerous factors. First of all, the number of vehicles and their energy consumption must be analyzed in order to determine the exact fleet requirements. The idle times of the vehicles in the depot play a central role here, as they directly influence the available charging time.
The spatial conditions of the premises must also be included in the planning, as charging stations, transformers, access routes and other infrastructure require sufficient space. The Tour planning should be adapted to the available loading and idle times in order to ensure efficient vehicle use.
An efficient charging concept also takes into account all investment costs for high-performance charging stations with battery storage, any necessary reinforcement of the grid connection and the integration of an energy management system. The capacity of the charging park must be carefully planned in order to meet the current and future needs of the fleet. Insufficient capacity can lead to bottlenecks, while oversizing causes unnecessary costs.
In addition, the charging infrastructure should be equipped with new technologies such as bidirectional charging (Vehicle-to-gridV2G) in order to ensure optimal use of the vehicles and infrastructure in a future-proof manner.
Utilizing potential
The integration of photovoltaic systems or other renewable energy sources into the depot reduces operating costs and improves the environmental balance. Surplus energy can be stored in batteries and used when needed. A dynamic load management system can be used to optimize power consumption and avoid peak loads, which both reduces energy costs and protects the internal power grid from overloading.
The use of fleet management software helps to constantly analyze charging requirements and efficiently plan charging processes, which leads to optimal use of the charging infrastructure and a further reduction in operating costs. In the future, automated charging systems, such as inductive charging or automated charging systems, could further increase efficiency by reducing manual effort and enabling a more even utilization of the infrastructure.
Advantages of the depot store at a glance:
- CO₂ toll for electric vehicles does not apply
- No tolls for e-trucks until 31.12.2025
- PV electricity or electricity purchased via dynamic tariffs is cheaper than diesel
- Diesel costs increase due to the CO₂ toll and the CO₂ certificates incurred
- Technological progress ensures falling prices for batteries and longer ranges
- According to the EU regulation, the charging infrastructure will be expanded on a large scale: A minimum distance of 60 km is planned to meet demand and along the entire highway network.
- Funding programs for the conversion of the electric commercial vehicle fleet, such as the funding guideline on the promotion of commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drives (KsNI), contributes up to 80 % of the additional costs for the purchase of electric commercial vehicles
- KfW offers low-interest loans for the conversion to environmentally friendly technologies
Outlook: Depot charging & e-mobility for commercial vehicles
Depot charging will continue to play an important role in the charging infrastructure for e-trucks and vans in the future, especially for fleet operators with fixed routes and central operating locations. With the increasing electrification of freight transport, the demand for depot charging solutions is expected to continue to rise. Innovative technologies and smart charging solutions will help to maximize efficiency and reduce total cost of ownership.
Depot charging is an efficient and already economical solution for the management of commercial vehicle fleets. With the right planning and the use of modern technologies, depot charging makes a significant contribution to reducing operating costs and helping companies achieve their sustainability goals.