Case studies and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Many charging systems use cloud software for tasks like scheduling, reporting and monitoring. If your Internet or cloud service goes down, charging may continue only when the chargers and controls support offline operation and are configured and tested in advance. Some chargers also use more than one connection, such as a network cable, Wi-Fi or cell service so that losing one connection does not always mean all communication is lost.

At a private fleet site, chargers may be set up to keep charging if the internet or online software fails. The chargers still receive grid power, but they cannot receive new commands from the online system. This setup ensures critical vehicles stay charged through an internet or cloud disruption. 

If the online connection is fully lost, software and controls at the site may continue basic charging tasks. A local energy management system or a microgrid controller can continue to manage power limits and vehicle prioritization without needing a cloud connection. Each charger also has its own built-in software, called charger firmware. The firmware can follow pre-set rules on its own, such as giving priority to critical vehicles or limiting how much power goes to any single charger.

Load management software can allow fleets to establish emergency charging profiles in advance. Under normal conditions, the system follows regular schedule and prioritization. When an outage occurs, the operator can switch to the emergency profile. This profile automatically applies different power limits and charging priorities. If the emergency profile is set up ahead of time, the fleet manager does not need to manually adjust every setting during an emergency.

Electric fleet vehicles often return with power left in their batteries. This may give your team time to start a backup power source. Plan for the amount of power your fleet needs and how long the outage may last.

Fleets can either own a generator, battery system or other backup technology and keep the equipment on-site, or sign an agreement with a reputable vendor ahead of time. A vendor agreement may reserve capacity and define response, delivery, connection and fuel terms. Review force-majeure limits, regional-event priorities, site-access requirements and remedies for nonperformance. During widespread outage events, many organizations compete for the same limited pool of rental generators and crews, so having an agreement signed before an outage is essential.

If backup power must travel to your site, assign each task in advance. Name who will request the unit, guide delivery, oversee safe setup and connect it. Also decide which vehicles should charge first. Travel time, safety checks and which vehicles should charge first all affect how quickly the fleet goes back to normal operations.

To connect a backup power source quickly during an outage, a site needs the necessary electrical hardware installed in advance. Common equipment includes quick-connect electrical ports often called cam locks. It also includes a manual transfer switch that safely disconnects the facility from the utility grid and routes backup power to the EV chargers. Switchgear sized to handle the backup power source is also needed. Even sites with a permanently installed generator may benefit from cam lock ports. These ports allow mobile assets to be connected if the permanent generator is unable to meet the site's needs.

A transfer switch safely disconnects the site from the grid and sends backup power to the chargers during an outage. It can be a Manual Transfer Switch (MTS), where someone on site operates the switch, or an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), where the device detects the outage and makes the connection on its own. When grid power returns, the transfer switch reconnects the site to the grid.

Some resilience technologies may reduce site peak demand or electricity costs during normal operations when they are designed and operated for the applicable tariff and grid conditions.

Resiliency hardware can change the way a depot draws power from the grid.

Microgrids with solar and batteries can serve chargers and site loads during the busiest hours of the day instead of pulling all power from the grid at once. This smooths out the highest spikes in power use (peak shaving).

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) work in a similar way. They can charge when overall power use is low, then release that stored energy when many vehicles plug in at once, so the grid does not experience one large spike in demand.

Most utility pricing plans charge more during certain hours, typically late afternoon and evening. Many tariffs also add extra fees when a site's highest power draw in a billing period goes above a set threshold level (demand charges).

Fleets can use solar panels, battery storage and smart charging controls to shift more charging to hours with lower pricing rates and away from higher price periods. They can also use stored energy during the most expensive time windows. Fleets can also set a safe upper limit on how much power all chargers can draw at once. Automated Load Management software can set a limit for total charger power. As the site nears that limit, the software slows charging or starts chargers at different times.

Together, these steps can lower the monthly electricity bill while also reducing strain on the grid.

A charging system has several parts. These may include chargers, control software that manages power and tools that track vehicles and routes. If one company supplies every part, a later change may cost more and require new equipment. A system built in separate parts can make future changes easier.

A charger model may end, a provider may close or software may no longer meet your needs. A flexible design lets you replace one part without replacing the full system. Ask vendors how their chargers and software work with other products.

Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an open protocol for communication between chargers and management systems. If your chargers support OCPP, you may be able to keep the same hardware when you change software providers or charging networks. This can help reduce equipment replacement costs and make it easier to keep charging operations running. When choosing new charging equipment, look for chargers that support OCPP.

OCPI is an open protocol that lets different charging networks communicate with each other so fleet drivers can use one account or application across many networks. OCPI helps fleets avoid being stranded if one network provider fails, because vehicles can still charge on other connected networks. Confirm supported versions, certification, required features, data access and contractual portability. Protocol support alone does not guarantee a vendor change without additional work.

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