Fleet EV charger sharing platform planned by AFP

The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) says it is ready to commission an online platform allowing fleets to share their EV charging facilities with other organisations.

The AFP says this follows extensive work by its shared charging committee, which includes representation from the AA, Alliance Healthcare, Auditel, IFC Group, National Grid, and Royal Mail.

AFP chair Paul Hollick said that a two-pronged strategy was being adopted.

He explained: “To kick things off, we’re looking to provide an online matchmaking service that will link fleets that have spare charging capacity at their premises with others who need charging in those areas.

“Once we’ve created an introduction, those businesses will make their own commercial arrangements, although we are here to offer advice if needed.

“The next step will be to commission an online platform that will enable a more structured approach. Fleets that have charging facilities to spare will register and then those that need charging will be able to search and book. It should also set prices and payment terms.”

Hollick said that the platform could represent a substantial boost for fleet EV charging.

He said: “While it is not a universal solution – the provision of spare charging is probably not going to be evenly distributed across the country – it should provide a useful option for fleets beyond home charging, their own workplace charging, and pay-on-use public chargers.”

Hollick said there was a general acceptance within the EV community that charging needed to be priced at a maximum of 40p per kWh to make shared charging viable.

“We need the price to be low enough that it is attractive to fleet users and high enough that it provides a worthwhile margin for charging providers. Pricing is the crux to wider adoption of this idea and we believe that this is the sweet spot.”

Hollick added that the committee had not only discussed identifying and linking charging providers and customers, but also how to gain access to charging sites, health and safety considerations, measuring charging use, and potential payment mechanisms.

 He said: “There are a whole host of issues to consider that need to be resolved for shared charging to work on individual sites. We need it to be safe and easy for van and car drivers to pop in, top up their charging, and continue their journey.”