Fleet DepotsIf you own a lot, yard or industrial property, you may be asked whether it could host a fleet overnight. That is more than lending out empty pavement. This guide covers what changes when the vehicles are electric, with the numbers and sources behind them.
Why fleet charging is different
Smart Parking World's planning guide for facility operators says fleet vehicles typically need more energy per session than personal vehicles. It gives the example of a commercial delivery van with a battery of 100 kWh or more. At Level 2 rates of 6 to 7 kW, recovering a day's energy can take 12 to 18 hours. That works for an overnight stay and is tight for a two-shift operation.
For tighter dwell times, the same guide says DC fast charging at 50 kW or higher is often the right choice. It requires three-phase power, appropriate service capacity and possibly dedicated utility transformers.
| Charging level | Typical rate in the guide | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | 6 to 7 kW | Overnight dwell of 12 to 18 hours |
| DC fast charging | 50 kW or higher | Tighter dwell times, higher energy needs |
Everyone charges at once
Fleet vehicles arrive and leave on schedules, so they tend to charge together. The guide calls the share of the fleet charging at the same time the simultaneity factor. For a fleet that returns within two hours and stays 8 hours, it says peak simultaneous charging may approach 80 to 90 percent of the fleet. That calls for much more electrical capacity than a count of chargers might suggest.
What operators ask of a host site
- Reserved spaces. The guide says charging spaces must be reliably available. If other vehicles occupy them, fleet vehicles may not charge enough. Reserved signage or RFID-controlled charging can help.
- Maintenance rules. High-voltage systems need trained technicians, and safety protocols may need updating if work happens on site.
- Known locations. Because vehicles return to the same place, the guide notes infrastructure can be sized and placed for the fleet.
Fleets already lease industrial space
Robotaxi operators are one example. In 2022, the Phoenix Business Journal reported, as summarized by broker Bill Clarkson, that Waymo signed a lease for at least 65,000 square feet of industrial space at Central Logistics Center in Phoenix. The lease ran more than five years with an option to extend for another five. A Waymo spokesman described it as operational space on South 3rd Street.
Questions to ask before you host
- What electrical service does the site have, and who is the utility?
- How many vehicles, and what is the daily schedule?
- Who pays for and owns the charging equipment?
- How will spaces be reserved and access controlled?
- What are the zoning rules for this use?
- What are the insurance and liability terms?
Our page for site owners lists the details we usually ask about first.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to charge a delivery van overnight?
Smart Parking World says that at Level 2 rates of 6 to 7 kW, a commercial van with a 100 kWh or larger battery that drains significantly in a day may need 12 to 18 hours.
Do fleet chargers need special power?
DC fast charging at 50 kW or higher needs three-phase power, appropriate service capacity and possibly dedicated utility transformers, according to Smart Parking World.
What is the simultaneity factor?
It is the share of a fleet charging at the same moment. For a fleet that returns in a two-hour window and sits 8 hours, Smart Parking World says it may approach 80 to 90 percent.
Sources
- Smart Parking World, "Fleet Electrification and Parking: What Facility Operators Need to Plan For" (February 3, 2025): smartparkingworld.org/ev/fleet-electrification-parking-planning
- Bill Clarkson, CCIM, "Waymo signs industrial lease in Phoenix" (September 7, 2022), summarizing Phoenix Business Journal reporting: wpclarkson.com/waymo-signs-industrial-lease-in-phoenix