Efficient depot charging for electric trucks – why less charging power is often more
The electrification of heavy-duty transport is gathering pace. More and more logistics companies, municipalities and fleet operators are switching to fully electric trucks – for both environmental and economic reasons.
However, there is often a misconception when it comes to charging power: many assume that 400 kW or more is always required to keep operations running smoothly.
In practice, however, lower charging powers of between 20 and 50 kW are perfectly sufficient in many use cases to prepare vehicles reliably for their next assignment.
Why high charging power is not always necessary
In depot operations, vehicles are often stationary for many hours – overnight, for example, or during longer loading and unloading periods. These idle times are ideal for slower charging that places less strain on the grid.
An example:
An electric truck with a 300 kWh battery can be fully charged at 50 kW in just six hours. If the truck is parked in the evening and returns to service early the next morning, the battery can be fully replenished without high-power HPC infrastructure.
Practical examples from depot operations
Regional delivery transport:
Vehicles leave fully charged in the morning and return after around 200 km of operation. With 20–50 kW charging power, the battery can be fully recharged by the next working day – without unnecessary load peaks or grid overload.Municipal waste-management fleets:
Refuse trucks and street sweepers have predictable daily cycles. They can often be charged overnight at 20–30 kW DC. This can reduce electricity-related costs and also enables gentler charging.Fleets operating in shifts:
If vehicles only have short charging windows during the day, targeted top-up charging at high DC power can provide enough energy for the next operating cycle.
Long-haul fleets: fast charging, but where it makes sense
Long-haul fleets require a different approach. Here, high charging power is needed to add sufficient range during legally required breaks.
Even then, however, a 1 MW charger is not always necessary.
At 400 kW charging power, substantial energy can already be added in 30 minutes, providing hundreds of kilometres of additional range depending on the vehicle and charging curve.
This level of charging power is already available along major transport routes, for example at many modern charging parks and motorway service areas.
A continuing challenge is accessibility for trucks: many charging sites were originally designed for passenger cars, so entrances, exits and parking positions are not always suitable for large vehicles.
Future infrastructure planning therefore needs more truck-compatible bays, turning areas and wider access routes.
Benefits of depot charging at moderate power
✅ Cost efficiency: Lower connection capacities can mean lower grid fees and investment costs.
✅ Reduced strain on the grid: Even load distribution instead of sharp peaks supports reliable and sustainable operation.
✅ Gentler battery charging: Lower charging power can reduce thermal stress on vehicle batteries.
✅ Simpler installation: AC solutions such as 22 kW charging or compact 20–50 kW DC chargers can often be installed quickly and may be feasible without reinforcing the grid connection.
Conclusion
Depot charging clearly shows that intelligent charging planning matters more than maximum charging power.
The key question is not how fast a truck can charge, but how well charging is integrated into the operating schedule.
While depot applications can often manage very well with 20–50 kW, long-haul fleets benefit from powerful fast chargers – without necessarily requiring megawatt-class charging in every case.
With the right combination of depot charging, opportunity charging and efficient charging planning, electric heavy-duty transport can already be operated economically, reliably and with future requirements in mind.
Project-specific DC charging solutions
We are happy to support you with your charging infrastructure project – from planning through to the supply of suitable DC charging stations.
Whether you need 20 kW for depot charging or 400 kW for long-distance transport, we offer solutions tailored to your fleet.
📩 Contact us at office@ampion.at – we will be happy to advise you personally.
