Depot charging: Efficiently Powering Electric Trucks in Your Fleet

The electrification of road freight transport is accelerating. A recent study by Fraunhofer ISI and the Öko-Institut, commissioned by Transport & Environment, shows that 87% of truck trips in Germany could already be powered electrically today. The reason is simple: most journeys are under 150 kilometers.

This means the greatest potential for electric trucks lies in regional transport – exactly where depot charging becomes a highly effective strategy.

Why depot charging?

With depot charging, electric trucks return to a central logistics site where they can recharge overnight or during scheduled downtime. This makes charging predictable, efficient, and cost-effective.

Key benefits:

• No dependence on public charging infrastructure
• Charging during non-operational hours
• Use of existing depot space
• Scalable alongside fleet growth
• Optimizable through energy management systems

According to the study, intelligent depot charging could cover up to 3 billion kilometers of truck mileage per year – sustainably and profitably.

Real-world challenges

Despite the potential, many companies are just getting started. Common hurdles include:

• Insufficient grid connections, especially at older sites
• High upfront investment for infrastructure and grid upgrades
• Complicated permitting and planning processes
• Lack of targeted funding programs

Currently, grid expansion is the most pressing issue. Many depots don’t yet have the capacity to charge multiple electric trucks simultaneously. Add to this the lack of regulatory certainty, and it's clear why progress is often slow.

Also important: Without load management, electricity costs can spike. That’s why successful depot charging requires not just chargers, but intelligent energy systems and operational visibility.

Efficient depot charging with smart charging management

A core component of successful depot electrification is smart charging management. Charging schedules are automatically adapted to route plans, vehicle availability, and grid capacity – avoiding expensive demand peaks.

Charging can be prioritized during low-cost electricity periods, and dynamic pricing or onsite solar power can be integrated.

Combined with predictive energy management, companies can reduce peak loads and maximize self-consumption of renewable energy. Data-driven analysis helps plan infrastructure expansion based on actual operational needs.

The result: a reliable, cost-efficient and scalable charging setup tailored to each fleet.

Conclusion: Now is the time to act

The technology is mature. The vehicles are available. The route profiles fit. What’s needed now is the right charging strategy – and depot charging is the most pragmatic starting point.

Policy is also moving: the EU’s upcoming AFIR regulation and Germany’s "Masterplan Ladeinfrastruktur II" signal growing support for commercial vehicle charging. But implementation is lagging behind.

Fleet operators who act now gain a competitive edge – in emissions, operating costs, and long-term flexibility.

At IO-Dynamics, we help logistics companies make electric mobility a reality – intelligent, integrated, and future-ready. Ready to elctrify your fleet? Watch our explainer video to see how smart charging works – clearly explained in just a few minutes.