Shared Charging Sites:

Accelerating the ZEV Market and Delivering Public Benefits

Charging infrastructure must be widely available and built out rapidly to ensure fleets can successfully operate their newly adopted battery-electric trucks. Ambitious new ventures in charging infrastructure development are addressing how fleets can charge at third-party sites.  

This FAQ-style report answers the most common questions about a specific type of charging site currently in demand: “shared” charging sites, also called “shared multi-fleet depots.” Shared sites are open to more than one fleet and made available by a third-party developer or a site owner sharing the infrastructure. This type of deployment, which involves a specific configuration usually mixed with a business model tailored to actual fleet needs, lets fleets charge without having to build out their own infrastructure or acquire chargers before they acquire vehicles. At shared charging sites, fleets know what to expect from a charger, rather than risk using “public” stops that may not cater to their needs. These sites serve the public good and should be clear targets for public subsidy and close public-private partnership and coordination. 

Examples of Shared Charging Sites 

Fleets are guaranteed access through refueling arrangements similar to those existing in the trucking industry. In addition, these sites: 1) can include amenities assisting fleets in learning how to charge; 2) can demonstrate trackable performance and serve industry; and 3) yield clear public benefits.