What information do you need to design fleet EV charging?

A reliable fleet charging design needs more than the number of vehicles and chargers. We need enough information to understand how the site operates, how the vehicles are used and what the electrical installation can support. That lets us produce a layout and charging strategy that works now without closing off sensible future changes.

Site information

A scaled site plan helps us understand the relationship between the electrical intake, distribution boards, parking bays and any buildings between them. We look at:

• the number, size and position of parking spaces;
• which bays are available to fleet vehicles;
• the distance between the proposed chargers and the electrical supply;
• possible cable routes through yards, car parks, walls or service areas;
• areas where vehicles, pedestrians or delivery traffic could damage equipment or cables;
• lighting, gates, barriers and access arrangements around the charging area; and
• any landlord, lease, planning or estate-management restrictions.

Photographs, existing drawings and details of planned building work are useful at the first stage. We still need to inspect the installation before confirming the design, because drawings rarely show every later alteration.

Information about the electrical supply

We need the available supply details rather than an assumption based on the size of the premises. Useful documents include recent electricity bills, the maximum import capacity where it is known, the number of phases and details of the main switchgear. We also record the incoming supply, earthing arrangement, distribution boards and any existing sub-main cables.

The existing demand matters as much as the proposed chargers. Large heating systems, refrigeration, machinery, compressors, lighting and other high-load equipment may operate at the same time as the vehicles charge. A record of normal operating hours and any known demand peaks helps us assess how the charging load should be controlled.

Where the available capacity is uncertain, we may need readings from the installation or information from the network operator. We do not treat spare space in a consumer unit or distribution board as proof that the supply can support a fleet charger installation.

Vehicle and charging information

The vehicle list should include the make and model, battery size where known, onboard AC charging capability and the connector used. Vans, cars, pool vehicles and specialist vehicles may have different charging requirements, even when they use the same site.

We also need the operating pattern behind the fleet. A useful record shows:

• when vehicles normally return to the site;
• when they must be ready to leave;
• the distance or energy used during a typical shift;
• which vehicles need priority;
• how many vehicles may charge together; and
• what minimum charge is needed for the next journey.

This information affects the number and rating of charge points. A fleet that returns for several hours can use a different approach from one that needs rapid turnaround between shifts. We can also identify where managed charging is more appropriate than giving every charger its full available power at once.

How the chargers will be used

The design should reflect who is allowed to charge and how the business needs to manage access. Tell us whether the bays are for company vehicles only, shared with visitors, or available to staff for private charging. We can then consider the appropriate access method and the records the site needs to keep.

If charging costs need to be assigned to vehicles, drivers, departments or operating locations, say so before equipment is selected. The required reporting and user identification may affect the charger specification and the way the system connects to its management platform. It is easier to include this at design stage than to add controls after installation.

Future plans

Tell us about vehicles that may be added, parking areas that may be rebuilt and any planned changes to the premises. A phased installation may make more sense than fitting every possible charger immediately. We can allow for future cable routes, distribution equipment and charge-point locations where the site layout supports them.

Future plans also include changes in working patterns. A depot moving from daytime to shift-based operation may need a different charging schedule. A business expecting more electric vans may need spare capacity and a clear method for prioritising vehicles. These decisions influence the initial electrical design, even when later chargers are not installed at the start.

Information about the physical installation

We need to know the construction of the surfaces and buildings along the proposed cable route. Tarmac, concrete, block paving, gravel, planted areas and listed or protected structures all affect the installation method. Details of drainage, underground services and areas that cannot be excavated help us avoid unsuitable routes.

We also consider the position of the charge points in relation to vehicle doors, cable reach, reversing movements and pedestrian routes. A technically possible location may still be awkward if drivers have to stretch a cable across a walkway or reverse close to the equipment.

What we confirm during the survey

At the survey, we compare the supplied information with the actual site. We trace the proposed cable route, inspect the switchgear and earthing, check distances and consider protection from impact, water and unauthorised access. We also look for work that may be needed before the chargers can be connected, such as a new sub-main, additional distribution equipment or civil works.

The result is a practical design showing the proposed charger positions, cable routes, power-management approach and any limitations that need addressing. We explain which information is confirmed, which assumptions remain and what further checks may be needed before work starts.

Our electrical work is carried out by NICEIC-registered electricians and is covered by ECA membership. Once the design is agreed, we provide a written quotation before work begins, setting out the included equipment, installation work and any identified exclusions.