Depot charging for electric trucks: how IO-Dynamics and Depotcharge cut charging costs and create new revenue
Anyone who invests in their own charging infrastructure thinks first about their own fleet. But what happens to the charge points once the vehicles are taken care of? That is exactly where the partnership between IO-Dynamics and Depotcharge comes in: a solution that gives depot operators two things at once – smooth operations for their own electric fleet and the targeted marketing of spare charging capacity as semi-public charging infrastructure to external logistics companies.
The roles are clear: IO-Dynamics handles the intelligent load and charge management with its fleet management software elephi – vehicle-specific, data-driven and focused on keeping the own electric fleet prioritised and supplied without conflict. Those who plan together with IO-Dynamics benefit from the start: elephi ensures that charging infrastructure is sized to fit – not over-engineered, but optimally utilised. Spare capacity that arises during off-peak hours can then be marketed in a targeted way – and that is exactly where Depotcharge comes in.
Depotcharge complements the system as a marketplace for semi-public charging: spare capacity is made visible and bookable for external fleets, with automated access via RFID or MAC address, full billing and monthly payouts. Access times, user groups and pricing are all set by the depot operator.
"Logistics companies investing in charging infrastructure today should be able to get the most out of that investment. Together with IO-Dynamics, we make exactly that possible: the own electric fleet runs reliably, and spare capacity becomes a source of economic value – for the operator and for other fleets in the region", says Joscha Specks, Co-Founder & CEO at Depotcharge.
At the roll Firmengruppesite in Crailsheim, the collaboration is already live. IO-Dynamics handles the load and charge management for the fleet: three Volvo FH 540 Electric trucks, two vans and eight cars charge at six DC charge points, controlled via elephi. One of these charge points is additionally listed on the Depotcharge platform and available to external users for semi-public charging – with 240 kW charging capacity, as a drive-through solution without uncoupling, and at a transparent price of 32.9 ct per kWh plus a service fee of 2 ct per kWh. The site is conveniently located near the A6/A7 motorway interchange, making it particularly attractive for fleets that regularly pass through the region.
External fleets register with Depotcharge, the charge points appear on the platform and access is fully automated. Billing runs entirely in the background. For Roll, there is no additional effort – and the own electric fleet retains priority at all times.
The next step will deepen the integration further: IO-Dynamics will receive booking slot data from the Depotcharge platform directly into elephi. This means the charging schedule for the own fleet will know in advance when external vehicles are expected – and coordinate capacity accordingly. Depotcharge markets the available slots; elephi ensures the own electric fleet is never affected.
"The combination of intelligent charge management and semi-public depot charging is the logical next step for us. We make sure the own electric fleet never falls short – and that the charging infrastructure makes full use of its economic potential in the remaining time", explains Johann Olsen, CEO & Co-Founder of IO-Dynamics.
The partnership between IO-Dynamics and Depotcharge represents an approach that thinks beyond the individual operation. Semi-public depot charging is gaining traction across the logistics industry: a study by Fraunhofer ISI and the Öko-Institut commissioned by Transport & Environment shows that sharing depot charging infrastructure within logistics networks is playing a growing role in scaling up electric mobility in freight transport – particularly for small and medium-sized companies that do not have access to their own charging network.
For depot operators who want to see their charging infrastructure not as a cost but as a strategic asset, the combination of elephi and Depotcharge offers a clear, immediately actionable starting point – with full visibility, full control and a growing network of charging partners across Europe.
Want to find out how intelligent charge management and semi-public charging could work for your site? Get to know elephi: iodynamics.de
Find out more about Depotcharge: depotcharge.com
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