EV van fleet charging at last-mile depots and distribution centres is an excellent commercial solar match — probably the best in the logistics sector. The key insight: EV vans parked during driver breaks (10:00-14:00) and overnight/weekend boost charging coincide almost exactly with peak PV generation. A depot with 20 electric vans (2 charging at any time during the day) adds 7-20 kW of consistent additional solar absorption. A fleet of 50 vans doubles that. The result: self-consumption rates that approach 90-95% — cold chain levels without the refrigeration load.
EV fleet charging and solar: the match explained
Solar PV generates peak power 09:00-16:00 (UK). EV van fleets: morning departures 06:00-09:00 (vans on road, not charging); midday break returns 10:00-14:00 (vans at depot charging); afternoon departures 14:00-17:00 (vans on road, not charging); evening returns 17:00-21:00 (vans at depot, post-solar). Weekend: all vans at depot — full-day solar absorption. The midday break charging window (10:00-14:00 at many last-mile depots) coincides perfectly with PV peak output. For a depot with 20 vans charging at 7 kW each during breaks: 140 kW of EV absorption at exactly the moment solar is generating peak power. Combined with other depot loads (warehouse HVAC, conveyor, lighting): self-consumption 88-95%.
Charge point specification alongside PV
We design EV charging infrastructure alongside PV as a combined project. Typical depot install: 6-24 charge points alongside 200-800 kW PV. Charger specification: 7 kW AC (Type 2) for overnight boost-charging; 22 kW AC for midday rapid boost; 50-150 kW DC fast charging for fleet ops requiring quick turn-round. Smart charging integration: charge point software integrated with solar monitoring platform — charge points receive signal from inverter to ramp up during solar generation peaks. The result: solar generation directly controls charge point output in real time — maximising self-consumption without operator intervention.
OZEV grants and Workplace Charging Scheme
Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) Workplace Charging Scheme provides £350 per charge point socket (max £14,000 per applicant). Available to businesses installing charge points for employees and fleet vehicles. Combined with solar PPA or asset finance for PV: zero or very low upfront cost for both systems. We manage OZEV grant applications alongside commercial solar design and installation.
Common questions about ev fleet solar
How much does combined solar and EV charging cost at a distribution depot?
Typical last-mile depot install: 300 kW PV (£270,000-£360,000) + 12 x 7 kW AC charge points (£36,000-£60,000 supply and install minus OZEV grant £4,200). Total: £302,000-£416,000. Annual saving: PV £67,000 + EV fleet fuel saving vs diesel £30,000-£50,000 = £97,000-£117,000/year. Simple payback: 3-4 years. After-tax AIA: 2-2.5 years.
What is smart charging integration with solar?
Smart charging connects charge point management software to the solar inverter's real-time generation output. When solar generation is high (sunny midday), the system automatically ramps charge point output to absorb excess generation. When cloud reduces solar output, charge points ramp down to avoid drawing from grid unnecessarily. OCPP-compliant charge points (Zaptec, Ohme, Hypervolt Fleet, Monta) all support smart charging integration with our monitoring platform.