Opinion: How shared charging for fleets is becoming a reality

By Paul Hollick, chair of the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP)

Readers with good memories might remember that around a year ago, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) commissioned research that showed almost six out of 10 van fleets (58%) would consider sharing their depot or public charging infrastructure with others to make electrification more practical.

It was a finding that sparked a wave of enthusiasm within the AFP and, most notably, prompted the launch of our shared charging committee, which features representation from the AA, Alliance Healthcare, Auditel, IFC Group, National Grid and Royal Mail.

Good progress has been made by that group and a two-pronged strategy is now being implemented. 

To kick things off, we’re looking to provide an online matchmaking service that will link fleets that have spare charging capacity at their premises with others who need charging in those areas.

Once we’ve created an introduction, those businesses will make their own commercial arrangements, although we are here to offer advice if needed.

Following that, we’ll commission an online platform that will enable a more structured approach.

Fleets that have charging facilities to spare will register and those that need charging will be able to search and book. It should also set prices and payment terms.

A key discussion point for the committee has been the price point of shared charging and general agreement has been reached that it should be a maximum of 40 pence per kWh.

Essentially, it needs to be low enough to be attractive to fleet users and high enough to provide a worthwhile margin for charging providers. Pricing is the crux to wider adoption of this idea and we believe the sweet spot is here.

Another important consideration has been how to gain access to charging sites, health and safety considerations, measuring charging use, and potential payment mechanisms.

There are a whole host of issues to consider that need to be resolved for shared charging to work on individual sites.

We need it to be safe and easy for van and car drivers to pop in, top up their vehicle, and continue their journey.

Ultimately, shared charging isn’t going to be for everyone because of inevitable compromises – for example, the kind of provision we are likely to be able to offer will almost certainly be geographically patchy – but it could prove to be a useful extra charging option for fleets beyond home charging, their own workplace charging, and pay-on-use public chargers.

As part of the ongoing journey to fleet electrification, it’s not an exaggeration to call it a further step forward.

The shared charging committee can be contacted at administration@theafp.co.uk and is keen to hear from both potential charging providers and users.