The rapid growth of fully electric vehicle fleets across Liverpool presents fleet operators with new challenges in energy management and cost control. Namely, the ever-rising electricity prices make strategic charging essential for your operational success.
In that regard, smart charging solutions offer Liverpool fleet managers powerful tools to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and maintain competitive advantage in your industry.
So, let’s look at how you can keep your EV charging costs under control for your Liverpool fleet.
Why Should You Investigate Smart Charging as a Liverpool Fleet Operator?
Smart charging technology can transform how Liverpool fleet operators manage their electric vehicles through intelligent power distribution and timing. Your fleet vehicles spend significant hours parked at depots or business premises, creating perfect opportunities for cost-effective EV charging strategies.
Implementing smart charging allows your operation to automatically shift charging times to off-peak periods, when electricity costs can drop as low as 7p per kWh (compared to standard daytime rates exceeding 30p per kWh). Some specialised tariffs on offer from outfits such as Octopus can actually end up paying you to draw electricity from the grid during periods of overproduction.
This intelligent load balancing ensures your entire fleet reaches optimal charge levels without exceeding your site’s power capacity or incurring expensive peak-rate charges. Better yet, there are no headaches around implementation. Most commercial smart EV charger systems handle the legwork themselves, and you can remain in control through a browser-based dashboard or mobile app.
Implementing Smart Charging Solutions for Your Liverpool Fleet
Whether you operate a fully electric fleet or are just beginning your EV transition, implementing smart charging infrastructure can deliver immediate savings on your energy costs. Here’s how to establish a charging system that maximises cost efficiency for your Liverpool operation.
Smart Infrastructure Planning
Your journey starts with a straightforward site assessment to understand your power capacity and charging requirements. While this might sound complex, it simply means determining how many vehicles you need to charge, when they’re typically parked at your facility, and what their charging requirements are.
The charging hardware itself is surprisingly straightforward once installed by an OZEV-approved EV charge point installer. Modern smart chargers handle the complex calculations automatically, requiring only an internet connection and a compatible energy tariff to start delivering savings.
Energy Management Made Simple
Smart chargers eliminate the complexity of energy management through automated scheduling and monitoring. Your chargers will automatically activate during the cheapest tariff periods (typically overnight), ensuring your fleet is ready for operation while minimising costs. Through a user-friendly mobile app or web portal, you can view charging status, track energy usage, and adjust schedules if needed.
This hands-off approach means you can focus on running your business while your charging infrastructure quietly optimises itself for maximum savings.
Cost-Saving Opportunities for Liverpool Fleet Operators
The Workplace Charging Scheme offers significant financial support for Liverpool fleet operators, covering 75% of purchase and installation costs (up to £350 per socket) for as many as 40 charging points. Working with an OZEV-approved installer like Applegarth ensures you can access this funding, which substantially reduces your initial infrastructure investment. The scheme remains open until March 2025, meaning you only have a short time left before you can act.
Major energy suppliers like Octopus Energy and EDF offer commercial versions of their successful residential EV tariffs, with off-peak rates that can match their domestic counterparts. For example, Octopus’s business smart tariffs can offer rates as low as 7.5p/kWh during overnight periods (compared to standard commercial rates often exceeding 30p/kWh). For a typical electric van with a 75kWh battery, this could mean charging costs of just £5.62 per vehicle per night instead of £22.50 at standard rates.
For maximum long-term savings, also consider combining your smart charging infrastructure with commercial solar panels and battery storage systems. This integrated approach will allow you to generate and store electricity during daylight hours and then use it to charge your fleet during peak periods. This combination of government grants, smart tariffs, and renewable integration could reduce your fleet’s energy costs by up to 75% compared to standard commercial rates.
Maximising EV Fleet Efficiency for Liverpool Transport Operators
The transition to electric vehicles presents Liverpool fleet operators with unprecedented opportunities to reduce operational costs. Through a combination of the Workplace Charging Scheme, smart commercial tariffs from major suppliers, and integrated renewable solutions, you can achieve energy cost reductions of up to 75% compared to standard commercial rates.
The key lies in implementing the right infrastructure from the start, with smart chargers that automatically optimise charging times to capitalise on the lowest available rates.
At Applegarth, we’re commercial EV charge point specialists who deliver comprehensive smart charging solutions for Liverpool fleet operations, from initial site surveys through to full installation and ongoing support.
Our OZEV-approved installation teams ensure you can access all available government funding while our technical expertise guarantees your charging infrastructure meets both current needs and future expansion plans. Contact our Liverpool team on 0151 649 8350 to discuss a roadmap toward reducing your fleet’s energy costs through smart EV charge point installation today.
