Electric vehicles are arriving in more fleets every month, but one big question remains: how will they be charged? The answer isn’t one single solution. Just like fuel cards give drivers access to different stations, EV charging will rely on a mix of options.
That’s where the Charging Pyramid comes in—a simple way to explain how an organisation plans to keep its EVs powered.
Three Ways to Charge
Fleets have three main options:
- Depot or onsite charging – Installing chargers at depots, offices or yards gives fleets control over costs, scheduling and uptime. Perfect for vehicles that return to base daily.
- Employee home charging – Ideal for take-home vehicles such as sales cars or inspectors. Home chargers and electricity reimbursements make it easy and convenient.
- Public charging – The most flexible option, especially for drivers covering long distances or working across wide geographies. As networks expand, some fleets may even make this the foundation of their strategy.
Choosing a Foundation
The power of the pyramid is that each organisation decides which option forms the base.
- A utility with a central depot might choose onsite charging as the foundation.
- A government department with hundreds of staff taking vehicles home may rely on home charging.
- A regional service fleet could put public charging at the base, supported by depot and home as needed.
The other two methods sit higher in the pyramid—used less often, but always available when required.
Why It Matters
The Charging Pyramid helps in three key ways:
- Clarity for drivers – Staff know where they’re expected to charge most of the time, and when exceptions apply.
- Confidence for executives – Leaders can see that EV transition plans are structured, not ad hoc.
- Cost control – By directing most charging through the cheapest or most reliable option, fleets avoid bill shock.
A Tool for Communication
Transitioning to EVs can be complex, but communication doesn’t need to be. The Charging Pyramid provides a clear, visual framework that explains to everyone—from drivers to the board—how charging will work day to day.
For Fleet Managers, it’s a simple tool that turns a technical challenge into an easy-to-understand plan.
- REMONDIS Puts Electric Waste Collection to the Test
REMONDIS Australia has trialled a Mercedes-Benz eEconic battery-electric waste collection truck in Brisbane, testing how the technology performs in local commercial operations. The trial marks another step in the company’s fleet decarbonisation program. With 600 waste collection trucks operating across Australia, REMONDIS sees significant potential to reduce emissions through alternative powertrains. The next phase will - Back to Buttons: ID.4 Gets a Practical UpgradeVolkswagen has updated its ID.4 electric SUV for MY27, introducing physical steering wheel controls, a new infotainment system and additional driver assistance features across the Pro and GTX variants. For fleet buyers, the changes put everyday usability and safety at the centre of the update, with improvements to navigation, speed assistance and parking technology. Physical
- Leapmotor B03X Packs More into a Compact EVLeapmotor will expand its Australian electric vehicle range with the arrival of the B03X, an affordable compact SUV offering two battery options, extensive driver assistance technology and flexible cabin storage. For fleet managers assessing electric vehicles for urban operations, the B03X brings another option to the passenger vehicle shortlist. Its compact dimensions, standard connectivity and
- New Navara: Big Grunt, Now with a PlugNissan will bring a plug-in hybrid Navara to Australia in 2027, giving fleet buyers another electrified option for work that demands towing capacity, payload and four-wheel-drive capability. The all-new Navara Pro PHEV will be Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid model in Australia and its first electrified ute globally. Australia and New Zealand will become the first
- Could concrete agitators be an EV sweet spot?Concrete agitators could become one of the more practical early applications for electric heavy trucks, with short operating distances, significant idle time and high fuel use creating a duty cycle that may suit battery-electric technology. Speaking with Fleet News Group at Everything Electric in Sydney, Brenton Sweeney, Sales Executive Commercial Vehicles and Equipment at Prancer
