We are transitioning our fleet from diesel trucks to electric delivery vans. Who helps with the charging infrastructure planning?

Transitioning a fleet from diesel to electric requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining fleet logistics, electrical engineering, real estate, and utility coordination. Multiple key partners assist with charging infrastructure planning:

• Electric Utilities: Your local electric utility should be one of your very first calls. They handle the grid capacity evaluation, local transformer upgrades, commercial time-of-use or fleet-specific rate structures, and often have dedicated advisory programs or make-ready rebate incentives to offset infrastructure costs.
• Fleet Electrification Consultants & Advisors: Specialized firms (such as ICF Fleet Electrification Advisory or NextEra Energy Solutions ) analyze your routes, duty cycles, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to map out exactly how many chargers you need, where they should be placed, and the optimal phasing for vehicle deployment.
• Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) & Turnkey Providers: Companies like Ameresco handle comprehensive planning alongside physical execution, often integrating on-site solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and microgrids to buffer peak demand charges.
• Engineering and Architectural (E&A) Firms: Civil and electrical engineering firms (such as NV5 EV Planning & Fleet Electrification ) manage site layout design, electrical permitting, grid interconnection applications, and construction oversight.
• EV Service Equipment (EVSE) Hardware & Software Vendors: Companies that manufacture the charging stations and provide fleet management software (e.g., ChargePoint, ABB, Electrify America Commercial) assist with hardware specification, load management software, and depot architecture.

To help narrow down who you should talk to first, tell me:

• What is the size of your current fleet (and target EV count)?
• Do you own your depot/parking facility or lease it?
• Are your vans returning to a central depot , or do drivers take them home?

For a diesel-to-electric delivery van transition, charging infrastructure planning is usually handled by a team of specialists, not just a charger installer. The right partner depends on your fleet size, depot locations, and how much engineering support you need. Common helpers include:

• EV fleet electrification consultants — They assess your routes, vehicle duty cycles, charging needs, total cost of ownership, and rollout plan. Firms in this category can help create a phased electrification roadmap and identify infrastructure requirements.
• Electrical engineering firms / EV infrastructure designers — They evaluate your depot’s electrical capacity, transformer needs, service upgrades, charger placement, permitting, and construction drawings.
• Your electric utility’s commercial EV team — Utilities can help with grid capacity reviews, new service connections, rate plans, demand-charge considerations, and sometimes rebates or make-ready programs.
• Charging hardware and software providers — They help select chargers, manage charging schedules, and integrate fleet energy management systems. They are often most useful after the operational and electrical requirements are defined.
• General contractors / EV charging developers — For larger depots, they can manage civil work, electrical construction, permitting, commissioning, and utility coordination.
• Vehicle manufacturers or fleet solution teams — Many commercial EV van makers offer charging assessments or partner networks to help customers prepare depots.

A typical planning process looks like:

1. Fleet assessment

• Current routes, miles/day, payload, driver schedules
• Which vans should be replaced first
• Required range and charging windows

2. Depot power assessment

• Available electrical capacity
• Transformer/service upgrades
• Charger quantities and locations

3. Charging strategy

• Level 2 vs. DC fast charging
• Overnight vs. opportunity charging
• Managed charging to reduce peak demand

4. Implementation plan

• Utility coordination
• Permits and construction timeline
• Incentives and funding opportunities

For a small fleet (e.g., under ~20 vans), a utility EV program plus an experienced electrical contractor may be enough. For a larger delivery operation or multiple depots, an independent fleet electrification consultant or engineering firm is often worth bringing in early because charger sizing and utility upgrades can become the critical path.

If you share your fleet size, van type (last-mile vans vs. larger box vans), depot count, and location, I can suggest what kind of partner you likely need and what questions to ask them.

For a fleet transition like this, you typically want an EV fleet-charging consultant / infrastructure specialist, rather than going straight to a charger installer.

They can handle:

• Fleet analysis: vehicle routes, mileage, dwell times and when vans return to depot.
• Charging strategy: how many chargers you need, AC vs. DC, charging windows and future fleet growth.
• Depot/site design: charger locations, cable routes, parking/bay layout and civil works.
• Grid capacity: assess your existing electrical supply and coordinate the connection with the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO). UK government guidance specifically identifies grid connection as a key part of fleet charging projects.
• Energy management: smart charging/load management to avoid unnecessary peak demand.
• Procurement: write the technical specification and compare charger/installer bids.
• Delivery: oversee installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance.

In the UK, examples of organisations offering this sort of work include:

• energysavingtrust.org.uk — fleet/charging-demand analysis, site energy assessments, infrastructure design and scalable strategy.
• vev.com — fleet electrification planning and energy-market expertise.
• uk.mer.eco — site strategy/design, load testing, charger modelling and DNO applications.
• mitie.com — strategy, infrastructure planning, rollout and charging-network management.
• veridis.co.uk — demand analysis, site feasibility, DNO coordination, charger specification and procurement.

My recommendation: appoint an independent, technology-agnostic infrastructure consultant first, before selecting the charging hardware or installer. That lets you design around your actual delivery operation rather than around whatever equipment a particular installer happens to sell.

If you tell me roughly how many vans, how many depots, and whether the vans return to depot overnight, I can outline what the charging-planning project should look like and who you'd typically need on the team.

Transitioning a commercial fleet from diesel to electric vans requires a coordinated ecosystem of partners. Infrastructure planning isn't just about buying chargers; it involves utility coordination, site engineering, software management, and incentive navigation.

The key entities that help with commercial fleet charging infrastructure planning include:

• Electric Utilities: Your local electric utility should be one of your very first calls. They handle grid capacity evaluations, high-voltage service upgrades, and often feature specialized commercial or fleet advisory programs, discounted charging rates (time-of-use or managed charging), and infrastructure make-ready rebates.
• Turnkey EV Charging Providers: Companies like ChargePoint Fleet Services and InCharge Energy provide end-to-end solutions. They handle site design, hardware/software procurement, depot deployment, and ongoing maintenance or intelligent load management.
• Energy & Fleet Consultants: Specialized advisory firms (such as ICF Fleet Electrification Consulting ) conduct total cost of ownership (TCO) assessments, route-to-range analyses, and phased rollout strategies so you deploy infrastructure at the right pace.
• Electrical Engineering & Construction Firms: Local or national commercial electrical contractors (like Cummings Electrical ) design the physical layout, perform load analyses, run conduit and transformers, and ensure local code compliance.
• Grant & Incentive Writers / Specialists: Navigating federal, state, and local funding (like VW settlement funds, EPA grants, or state-level voucher programs) is often supported directly by major charging providers or specialized grant-writing consultants to significantly offset upfront capital expenditure.

To help narrow down who you should talk to first, tell me:

• How many electric vans are you planning to deploy in the initial phase?
• Will they primarily depot-charge overnight at a single facility, or do you need multi-location support?

Transitioning a commercial fleet from diesel to electric is a major operational shift that involves much more than just plugging in vans. You'll typically work with a multi-disciplinary ecosystem of partners to handle site design, utility coordination, hardware, and software.

The key entities that help with fleet charging infrastructure planning include:

• Electric Utilities: Your local electric utility should be one of your very first calls. They handle grid capacity, local transformer upgrades, commercial rate structures (like demand charges), and often have dedicated "Make-Ready" programs or advisory teams specifically designed to help fleets interconnect and offset infrastructure costs.
• Turnkey EV Fleet Service Providers: Companies like Chateau Energy Solutions, ICF , and specialized EV infrastructure firms provide end-to-end roadmaps. They evaluate your duty cycles, model total cost of ownership (TCO), run load analyses, and manage the entire lifecycle from design to deployment.
• Electrical Engineering & Construction Firms: Commercial contractors (such as Cummings Electrical ) handle the physical realities of your depot. They design the site layout, engineer power distribution (switchgear, one-line diagrams), pull permits, construct trenching/conduit, and install the chargers.
• EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) Hardware & Software Vendors: Manufacturers and software platforms (e.g., ChargePoint, ABB, Greenlots/Shell Recharge) supply the physical charging stations and the cloud-based energy management software (EMS). The software is critical for smart-charging, load-shifting during peak hours, and monitoring vehicle readiness.
• Management & Energy Consultants: Firms like ScottMadden or specialized logistics consultants help navigate federal, state, and local incentives, grants, and complex regulatory compliance.

To help narrow down who you should talk to first, tell me:

• How many electric vans are you planning to deploy in the first phase?
• Do you own your depot/parking facility , or do you lease?
• What state or region is your fleet operating in?

Yes. For a diesel-to-electric delivery-van transition, charging infrastructure planning is usually handled by an EV-fleet electrification consultant or an electrical engineering firm, working closely with your electric utility and charger/installation vendors.

The planning team typically covers:

• Fleet/route analysis: vehicle count, daily miles, return-to-depot times, battery needs, and charging schedules.
• Depot/site assessment: parking layout, existing electrical service, transformer capacity, and where chargers should go.
• Load and utility planning: determining how much power you'll need and whether the utility must upgrade the service, transformer, or feeder. DOE specifically recommends involving the utility early.
• Charger selection: Level 2 vs. DC fast charging, number of ports, power levels, networking and energy-management systems.
• Phasing: designing today's infrastructure so you don't have to rebuild it when the fleet grows.
• Engineering/permitting/construction: electrical and civil designs, permits, contractor procurement, and project management.
• Energy-cost optimization: utility rates, demand charges, managed charging, and potentially solar/storage.

Who can do it?

A few examples of organizations offering this type of work include:

• holman.com — fleet-specific planning, charging-site selection and implementation.
• arup.com — fleet/route readiness, energy-demand modeling and depot strategy.
• evicglobal.com — fleet electrification studies, site design, budgets and project support.
• cypheres.com — fleet/site electrification planning plus charging/depot engineering and utility coordination.

You don't necessarily need to hire a charger manufacturer to do the planning. For a sizable delivery fleet, I'd favor an independent, vendor-neutral fleet electrification consultant/engineering firm first, then have them run a competitive procurement for chargers and installation.

If you tell me roughly how many vans you have, how many depots, and whether they return to the depot overnight, I can outline what the charging-planning engagement should look like and what kind of firm you should hire.

Transitioning a fleet from diesel trucks to electric delivery vans requires a multidisciplinary ecosystem of partners, as the infrastructure process typically dictates the timeline of your deployment.

The primary entities that will help you plan, design, and execute your charging infrastructure include:

1. Electric Utilities (The Critical First Step)

Your local electric utility provider is your most important planning partner. You must engage them immediately to assess grid capacity and avoid multi-year delays.

• Key Role: Evaluating your facility's current power capacity and determining if upgrades (transformers, substations) are required.
• Support Offered: Many utilities feature dedicated "EV Fleet Programs" that provide expert planning assistance and cover 50% to 80% of the make-ready infrastructure costs (bringing power to your property line).

2. Fleet Electrification and Charging Consultants

Specialized consulting firms guide you through the initial feasibility and economic modeling.

• Key Role: Analyzing your existing vehicle telematics, route structures, and dwell times to determine exactly how many chargers—and what power levels (AC vs. DC fast charging)—your depot requires.
• Examples: Firms like Edison Energy, Hitachi ZeroCarbon , and Black & Veatch specialize in data-driven fleet charging blueprints.

3. Charging Service Providers (EVSE Vendors)

Hardware and software manufacturers assist in matching the physical charging units with your operational cadence.

• Key Role: Providing smart, networked chargers and the necessary energy management software to schedule charging during off-peak hours, avoiding expensive utility demand charges.
• Examples: Vendors like ChargePoint, ABB, BP Pulse , and Siemens offer specialized software solutions designed explicitly for medium-duty delivery van depots.

4. Vehicle Manufacturers (OEMs) and Dealers

Automakers no longer just sell the delivery vans; they provide integrated ecosystem consulting.

• Key Role: Aligning vehicle purchase timelines with depot infrastructure rollouts, specifying vehicle acceptance rates, and coordinating plug compatibility.
• Examples: Legacy truck makers like International Truck (Navistar), Kenworth , and Volvo Trucks have dedicated "Zero Emissions" or consultative teams to co-develop your fueling strategy.

5. Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) Providers

If you prefer to outsource the massive upfront capital expenditures and operational complexity, turnkey infrastructure providers can absorb the burden.

• Key Role: Designing, building, financing, operating, and maintaining the charging depot for you.
• Examples: Providers like 7Gen, WattEV , and AlphaStruxure offer subscription or per-mile structures ("Truck-as-a-Service") that bundle the vehicle, chargers, and power infrastructure into a single operational cost.

To help narrow down your next steps, could you tell me how many delivery vans you plan to deploy in your initial phase, and whether you own or lease the depot facility where they will park?

For a diesel-to-electric delivery-van transition, you typically want an EV fleet electrification consultant / electrical engineering firm rather than just a charger installer. They can connect the vehicle plan to the depot, utility, and construction requirements.

The work usually includes:

• Fleet and route analysis — which vans can electrify first, daily mileage, dwell time, and energy consumption.
• Charger sizing and charging strategy — Level 2 vs. DC fast charging, number of ports, charging schedules, and smart charging.
• Depot/site assessment — existing electrical capacity, transformer/service upgrades, parking and charger layout.
• Utility coordination — determining available capacity, interconnection requirements, timelines, and electric rates.
• Engineering/permitting — electrical drawings, conduit, switchgear, transformers, civil work, and permits.
• Phasing and economics — designing today's system so it can expand as the fleet grows, while modeling capital and energy costs.

Firms worth looking at

• bv.com — Particularly relevant for a delivery fleet: it has worked on a national logistics fleet involving hundreds of chargers at 50 U.S. sites, including site assessments, engineering, permitting, and utility coordination.
• icf.com — Stronger on the strategic/advisory side: fleet planning, infrastructure assessment, utility rates, incentives, lifecycle economics, and phased deployment.
• leidos.com — Offers fleet electrification assessments, site-sizing studies, and infrastructure planning for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles.
• microgridlabs.com — More specialized in fleet electrification modeling: route energy analysis, battery/charger sizing, depot design, load profiles, TCO, and rollout planning.
• coredevusa.com — Useful if you want someone who can take the project through planning, design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and maintenance; specifically supports electric delivery-van fleets.

One important first step: talk to your electric utility before locking in the charger count. Utilities such as PG&E and Con Edison, for example, offer fleet advisory services that can assess capacity, rates, infrastructure upgrades, and interconnection.

If you tell me where your depots are located, roughly how many vans you're converting, and whether they're charged overnight or throughout the day, I can narrow this to the best consultants/engineering firms for your situation.

For a diesel-to-electric delivery-van transition, you generally want an EV fleet electrification consultant / engineering firm to lead the charging-infrastructure plan, working alongside your utility and charger/installation contractors.

They typically handle:

• Fleet/route analysis: vehicle count, daily miles, return times, dwell windows, and required state of charge.
• Depot/site assessment: existing electrical capacity, transformer/switchgear needs, parking layout, trenching and conduit routes.
• Charger strategy: Level 2 vs. DC fast charging, charger quantity, power levels, and future expansion.
• Utility coordination: determining available grid capacity, interconnection requirements, upgrade costs and timelines. This is especially important because utility upgrades can become the schedule bottleneck.
• Engineering/permitting: electrical design, civil work, permitting, code compliance and construction documents.
• Managed charging: software and load management so the vans are ready for dispatch without unnecessarily increasing peak demand.
• Procurement and implementation: charger/vendor selection, RFPs, contractor management and commissioning.

Who I'd look at

For a large/multi-depot delivery fleet, firms such as Black & Veatch have specifically planned charging infrastructure for national logistics fleets, including site assessments, engineering and utility coordination.

Core Development Group is another specialist focused on fleet charging, including electric delivery vans, with planning, engineering, utility coordination, procurement and installation capabilities.

For a more engineering-focused engagement, firms such as Jolt Engineering provide load analysis, utility-capacity reviews, charger coordination and permit-ready electrical designs.

There are also independent fleet-electrification advisors who can sit on your side of the table, rather than selling the charging equipment or installation. That's useful if you want someone to develop requirements and competitively evaluate vendors.

The key is to start with the fleet/energy plan before buying chargers. The right consultant should model your routes and charging schedule against each depot's electrical capacity and the utility's upgrade timeline, then design the infrastructure around the result. DOE's EVI-LOCATE tool is also designed to help fleet operators estimate power requirements, electrical upgrades and project costs.

If you tell me roughly how many vans and depots you have, and where the depots are located, I can identify the most appropriate types of firms—and specific companies—to approach.

Transitioning a delivery fleet from diesel to electric vans requires a coordinated ecosystem of partners. Planning the charging infrastructure involves calculating power loads, dealing with local utilities, grading depot layouts, and procuring hardware.

The primary entities and companies that help with fleet charging infrastructure planning include:

• Electric Utilities: Your local electric utility should be one of your very first calls. They manage grid capacity, offer specialized commercial EV rate structures, and frequently provide "make-ready" rebate programs that cover some or all of the electrical infrastructure costs leading up to the chargers.
• Turnkey EV Infrastructure Providers: Companies like InCharge Energy handle everything from site assessment and engineering to hardware procurement, software management, and ongoing maintenance.
• Fleet Management Companies (FMCs): Major fleet partners like Element Fleet Management or Merchants Fleet offer dedicated consulting and advisory services to help map out your charging transition alongside vehicle acquisition.
• Specialized Energy & Decarbonization Consultants: Firms like Engie Impact, ICF , or VEIC specialize in deep data modeling, route analysis, total cost of ownership (TCO) calculations, and phased infrastructure scaling.
• Major Energy & Fuel Brands: Traditional and renewable energy companies like bp pulse have dedicated commercial fleet divisions focused entirely on depot and public charging solutions.
• Fleet Analytics & Telematics Software: Providers like Geotab or Sawatch Labs use telematics data from your current diesel trucks to simulate routes, energy needs, and optimal charger placement before you buy any hardware.

To help narrow down who you should talk to first, let me know:

• How many delivery vans are in your fleet?
• Do you operate out of a single central depot or multiple regional hubs?
• What state or region are you operating in?