Charging an electric van fleet: chargers, costs and scaling up
Most electric van fleets don't need fast chargers. Vans that park overnight at a depot can usually be fully charged on 7–22 kW AC chargers, which cost about $2,000–$8,000 each installed, against $30,000–$60,000 for a 50 kW DC fast charger. The bigger cost as you grow is the electrical supply: a few chargers usually fit on an existing three-phase supply, but 10–20 can need a supply upgrade, and larger depots a new transformer. Smart load management spreads charging across the night so the site needs far less power, and keeps business demand charges down.
Fleet charging calculator
Estimates only. Every site is different: get an electrician to assess your switchboard and supply before buying chargers. Prices are installed ranges from 2026 industry guides.
Which chargers: AC or DC?
| Charger | Adds per hour | Installed cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 kW AC (single-phase) | about 30 km | $1,500–$3,500 | Vans doing up to about 200 km a day, parked overnight; drivers charging at home |
| 22 kW AC (three-phase) | about 90 km* | $3,000–$8,000 | Depots; vans doing long days or with shorter overnight stops; sharing a charger between vans |
| 50 kW DC | about 200 km | $30,000–$60,000 | Quick top-ups during the day, two-shift vans, or very long routes |
*Many vans can only take 11 kW on AC, so check the van's on-board charger before buying 22 kW units. Kilometres assume about 25 kWh/100 km.
The usual rule: charge slowly overnight, and only add a fast charger if vans genuinely need topping up in the middle of the day. Slow overnight charging is cheaper to install, cheaper per kWh on off-peak rates, and gentler on batteries.
Scaling up: 1, 5, 10, 20 vans
| Fleet | Typical setup | Electrical work | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 vans | A 7 kW charger each at the depot, or at drivers' homes | Usually fits the existing supply | $2,000–$10,000 |
| 5–10 vans | 7–22 kW AC chargers with basic load management | Switchboard work; check three-phase capacity | $30,000–$100,000 |
| 10–20 vans | 22 kW AC with load management software; maybe one DC charger | Supply upgrade to 200–300 A ($5,000–$25,000, 3–6 months) | $100,000–$250,000 |
| 20–50 vans | Managed AC bays, a few DC chargers, possibly a battery to shave peaks | New transformer or substation ($50,000–$250,000, 6–12 months) | $200,000–$650,000 |
Plan for the fleet you'll have, not the one you have now. Run conduit and cabling to every future bay and size the main supply for the full fleet in the first job, then add chargers as vans arrive. Retrofitting trenching later costs far more.
Load management and demand charges
Business electricity bills often include a demand charge, typically $8–$25 per kVA per month, set by your highest half-hour of use in the month. Ten 22 kW chargers all starting at 5pm could add 220 kW of peak demand, which at $15 per kVA is about $3,300 a month on top of the energy itself.
Load management fixes this. Software or chargers with built-in load balancing share a set amount of power across the bays and schedule charging through the night, so vans are full by morning without the spike. It's worth it from about four chargers. Look for OCPP-compatible chargers so you're not locked into one software company.
Charging at drivers' homes
For tradies and service vans that go home each night, a charger at the driver's home can replace depot infrastructure entirely. Set a clear policy for who pays for the charger, and reimburse the electricity used with a per-kilometre rate or a separate meter on the charger. Check the current ATO guidance on reimbursement rates.
Grants and incentives
- NSW EV Fleets Incentive (Kick-start): for organisations with three or more fleet vehicles. About $5,000–$8,000 per new electric light commercial vehicle, up to $6,000 per AC charging port, and 50% of a DC charger (capped at $30,000 up to 60 kW). Up to 15 vehicles and chargers, first come first served, closes 30 November 2026 or when funds run out. Check the NSW Government page for current terms.
- Other states: most 2025–26 business charger and fleet grants in Victoria, Queensland, WA, Tasmania and the ACT have closed. Check your state energy department before you buy, as new rounds open from time to time.
- Tax: chargers are a business asset that can be depreciated. Ask your accountant.
Step by step
- Log each van's daily kilometres and overnight parking time for a few weeks.
- Get an electrician to assess your switchboard, three-phase supply and cable runs, and whether your network needs to approve the extra load.
- Choose chargers that match the vans' on-board AC limits, with load management and OCPP.
- Ask your retailer about a business off-peak or EV tariff, and a separate meter for the chargers.
- Apply for any open grant before ordering vans or chargers; most require that.
- Start with a few vans, check the real-world energy use, then scale.
See also: every electric van with running costs and buying an electric van for your business.
Electric van fleet charging checklist
Everything to sort out before you order vans or chargers, in six stages, with a table to log each van's kilometres and parking times. 2 A4 pages.
Common questions
Does a business need fast chargers for electric vans?
Usually not. Vans parked overnight for 8–10 hours can be fully charged on 7–22 kW AC chargers. DC fast chargers make sense for two-shift vehicles or vans that need a top-up during the day.
How much does it cost to install chargers for a fleet?
Roughly $2,000–$10,000 for one to three vans, $30,000–$100,000 for 5–10 vans, and $100,000–$250,000 or more for 10–20 vans, depending heavily on whether your electricity supply needs upgrading.
Do I need one charger per van?
Not always. If vans come back at different times, or someone can swap them over at night, one 22 kW charger can often charge two or more vans. One charger per van is simpler and avoids staff time.
What are demand charges?
A fee on many business electricity bills based on your highest half-hour of power use in the month, often $8–$25 per kVA. Load management software spreads charging out to keep that peak low.
Are there grants for business EV chargers?
In NSW, the EV Fleets Incentive offers up to $6,000 per AC charging port and money towards vans, until 30 November 2026 or until funds run out. Most other state programs have closed.
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How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at October 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.