Research — Aug. 29, 2025
Building the grid for electric fleets
Article Highlights
- Electrification is shifting from residential to commercial fleets, driving major grid upgrades and new charging models.
- IoT and smart grid technologies are essential for optimizing energy use and enabling resilient, scalable EV infrastructure.
- Coordinated regulation and investment, especially in Europe, are accelerating deployment, while US policy volatility creates challenges and opportunities.
Introduction
While residential electric vehicle charging infrastructure led early adoption of electrified charging, the next wave of electrification is shifting to the nonresidential sector, where mid-voltage grid systems face growing pressure. To meet climate targets, private companies and policymakers are accelerating the electrification of commercial fleets, placing new demands on charging infrastructure and grid readiness. This report extends previous analysis of the residential grid to commercial and public electric fleets, transit depots, and electric autonomous mobility.
The Take
Internet of things technology is a key enabler of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI), streamlining deployment, optimizing energy use and enabling fleet-specific charging strategies. By activating edge grid intelligence and unlocking the value of distributed energy resources from depot storage to vehicle-to-grid, IoT helps overcome infrastructure bottlenecks and regulatory inertia.
The pace of electrification varies across regions, reflecting uneven grid maturity and policy readiness. In this context, the widespread deployment of EVCI is not a siloed, closed circuit, but an adaptive grid ecosystem. High-capacity fleet charging hubs and corridor infrastructure are being recognized as critical national infrastructure, elevating the importance of cybersecurity, resilience and national-level coordination in grid planning and investment. Success depends on coordinated action across regulators, utilities, technology providers, charging point operators, OEMs and fleet operators. As demand accelerates, the shift toward a sentient grid will be essential to power a sustainable, electric future for freight and fleet mobility.
Regulatory and market drivers
In Europe, the buildout of EVCI for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) is moving forward through regulatory mandates and public-private collaboration. The EU's Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation requires fast chargers every 60 km along the TEN-T core network. The European Commission will launch the Clean Transport Corridor initiative in Q3 2025, streamlining permitting, prioritizing grid access and de-risking investments.
New guidance will address grid bottlenecks and permitting delays, especially in rural areas, feeding into broader electrification and grid action plans in 2026. Funding through Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility includes €570 million for 2025–2026, with €422 million already awarded to 39 projects expected to deliver 5,000 charging points, including 626-MW chargers for electric HDVs (eHDVs).
Complementing these regulatory efforts, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association has called for a ninefold acceleration in charger deployment by 2030, particularly for heavy-duty and commercial vehicles, underscoring that this is not a scaling challenge, but a structural shift that will reshape grid planning, investment and policy.
In the US, EV infrastructure has been shaped by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) and Charging and Fueling Infrastructure programs. NEVI allocated $5 billion to build 500,000 chargers, while CFI supports corridor and community charging. However, the current US administration froze NEVI funding in early 2025, revoked state plans and suspended new awards — halting $2.74 billion. A federal judge ordered partial reinstatement in June 2025, but updated guidance is still pending. The administration also plans to shut down over 8,000 federal charging ports, creating uncertainty for states and investors, although private-sector depot electrification continues.
In short, Europe's coordinated regulatory and funding approach supports corridor-scale infrastructure investment. In contrast, US policy volatility introduces risk but opens up opportunities for flexible, modular solutions that support state and private deployments.
As electric fleet infrastructure scales, a growing portion of this buildout is being recognized as critical national infrastructure. This designation introduces new strategic dimensions: Charging systems must comply with cybersecurity and resilience standards, such as NIS2 Directive and ISO 15118; infrastructure is subject to enhanced regulatory oversight and planning coordination; and projects may gain access to resilience funding and prioritized grid access.
Nonresidential grid impact and infrastructure implications
The electrification of commercial transport is accelerating, driven by the deployment of eHDVs, medium-duty trucks, buses, delivery vans and autonomous shuttles. While the ecosystem is still in its early stages, momentum is building. In the HDV segment, 53% of carriers are transitioning to EVs and another 33% plan to within the next year, according to our Supply Chain & Digital Transportation data (Figure 1). These figures refer to carriers engaged in electrification efforts — at various stages of maturity — not the percentage of electric vehicles currently on the road. The chart illustrates the level of engagement, not the actual fleet composition.
By 2050, even under a conservative scenario, more than 320,000 truck electric chargers will be needed across regional trucking and transport corridors, with the potential for lower demand if efficiency gains and supportive climate policies are realized.
This shift toward electrified freight places significant new demands on the grid. Unlike residential EV charging, which is distributed and relatively low power, commercial EV charging is centralized, high-capacity and time-sensitive. It often relies on direct current (DC) fast chargers capable of delivering 150 kW-1 MW per vehicle. These systems are typically installed at depots, logistics hubs and public corridors connected to mid-voltage feeders (1-69 kV), making the mid-voltage tier a critical interface between high-voltage transmission and low-voltage distribution.
As these systems scale, operational risks extend beyond localized overloads to broader challenges such as regional congestion, voltage instability and protection coordination. Key systemic impacts include feeder congestion from simultaneous depot and en route charging; transformer stress, necessitating capacity upgrades; voltage fluctuations from rapid load ramp-ups; and the need for synchronized integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery energy storage to prevent reverse power flow.
At the same time, the deployment of megawatt-scale EV chargers — enabling battery EVs to operate more like internal combustion engine vehicles and reduce charging times — and mid-voltage infrastructure in public and industrial environments raises critical safety considerations. These systems are often installed in high-traffic, high-power settings, where the risk of thermal overloads, arc faults, and emergency response complexity is elevated. Ensuring safe operation requires adherence to design standards, real-time monitoring systems, and coordinated safety protocols involving utilities, site operators and first responders.
To address these challenges, utility operators and grid ecosystem stakeholders might invest in:
Dynamic load forecasting and booking system for fleet-heavy zones: Enables operators to anticipate and manage charging peaks with precision.
Grid-edge intelligence to manage multi-directional power flows: Ensures safe, real-time control of energy flows from EVs and DERs. Edge computing and smart inverters enable localized optimization, resilience and participation in ancillary services markets.
Interconnection and interoperability standards for high-power charging systems: Streamline permitting, ensure seamless integration across technologies and accelerate infrastructure deployment.
Site-level engineering for optimized layout and power delivery: Balances space, charger configuration and electrical upgrades, including transformers, switchgear, and on-site generation or storage.
These priorities call for proactive collaboration across the ecosystem. Utilities are encouraged to shift from reactive infrastructure upgrades to forward-looking planning using digital twins and AI-based forecasting. Fleet operators can benefit by treating charging infrastructure as a strategic asset rather than a basic utility connection. Technology providers play a role in delivering modular, standards-compliant solutions that bridge grid and fleet systems. Regulators are essential in moving beyond pilot programs to establish scalable, interoperable frameworks that support long-term growth and resilience.
Technology enablers for EVCI for commercial transportation
EVCI for commercial transportation requires a digitally orchestrated, grid-integrated infrastructure. IoT technology is the operational backbone of a smart, scalable ecosystem that aligns with the strategic priorities of grid vendors, fleet operators and energy providers.
At the core is smart infrastructure — a connected environment where charging systems, DERs and grid assets communicate in real time. This enables orchestration of energy flows, asset performance and charging operations to ensure that high-density charging remains efficient, resilient and responsive to both fleet needs and grid constraints.
Utilities are central stakeholders to this transformation. According to our Voice of the Enterprise data, utility companies are prioritizing the deployment of smart grid systems and load forecasting as their top two IoT use cases in the near term. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration also appears on the road map, highlighting emerging interest in the technology. Their broader IoT goals include improving asset performance (52%), modernizing the grid to support distributed generation (46%) and reducing environmental impact (32%).
These capabilities underpin the evolution of the sentient grid — an intelligent, self-optimizing energy system that leverages AI, IoT and predictive analytics. For commercial EVCI, the sentient grid enables dynamic load forecasting, real-time grid orchestration and proactive asset management.
EVCI deployment trends
In nonresidential settings, new technologies and deployment models are redefining how EV charging interacts with the power grid, creating challenges and opportunities for modernization.
In non-residential settings new technologies and deployment models are redefining how EV charging interacts with the power grid, creating both challenges and opportunities for modernization.
Table 1: Key Residential EVCI Trends and Grid Impact
Trend |
Maturity level |
Description |
Transportation Use Case |
Implications for Grid Systems |
Opportunity for Grid Vendors |
Depot Electrification |
Scaling |
Logistics and transit operators are converting depots into high-capacity charging hubs.
|
Buses, freight, delivery fleets, municipal vehicles. |
Requires mid-voltage feeder upgrades, transformer reinforcement, and load balancing systems. Predictable charging windows enable load shifting and grid optimization, but variability exists in mixed-use or shift-based depots. |
Offer turnkey depot electrification packages including transformers, switchgear, and EMS integration. |
Public and Private Fast Charging Corridors |
Scaling |
High-speed charging infrastructure is being deployed along highways and freight routes through a mix of government funding (e.g., NEVI in the US, AFIR in the EU) and private investment. Often co-located with gas stations and logistics hubs. |
Long-haul freight, intercity buses, passenger EVs. |
Introduces megawatt-scale loads at the grid edge; requires real-time monitoring, DER integration, and grid reinforcement. |
Provide modular substations, grid monitoring tools, and DER orchestration platforms tailored for corridor-scale deployment. |
Oil & Gas Giants Race into EV Charging |
Mature / Scaling |
In 2024, oil & gas companies increased EV charger deployments by 45%. National oil companies nearly doubled their footprint—led by Sinopec (100K), TotalEnergies (74K), and Shell (73K). Asia-Pacific surpassed Europe for the first time, driven by China’s expansion. |
Passenger EVs, highway charging, fleet electrification |
Rapid growth in charger density at fuel stations and logistics hubs introduces new grid loads, especially in emerging markets. Requires coordination with utilities and grid upgrades. |
Partner with oil & gas firms to deliver grid-ready charging infrastructure, including modular substations, load balancing, and DER integration. |
Urban Charging for Fleets |
Early stage |
Last-mile delivery and ride-hailing fleets are deploying chargers in dense urban areas. |
Delivery vans, ride-hailing EVs, service fleets. |
Increases stress on constrained urban feeders; necessitates smart charging and time-of-use pricing. |
Provide compact, grid-aware charging solutions with load management and pricing integration. |
Wireless Charging |
Pilot phase |
Inductive charging pads are being piloted for robotaxis, autonomous shuttles, and in-city delivery vehicles—both stationary and dynamic (in-motion).
|
Robotaxis, autonomous shuttles, delivery fleet, construction trucks. |
Requires precise load forecasting, real-time grid responsiveness, and integration with ITS and edge computing.
|
Develop interoperable wireless charging systems with embedded grid intelligence. |
Bi-Directional Charging (V2G) |
Early Stage |
V2G is gaining momentum among commercial fleets, but deployment remains limited by fragmented standards, utility inexperience, and undeveloped business models. Regulatory clarity is improving, yet implementation still lags. |
School buses, corporate fleets, utility vehicles. |
Adds complexity to grid protection and control schemes. Requires standardized communication protocols (e.g., ISO 15118), utility-grade coordination, and new market mechanisms for energy buyback. DC V2G remains costly; AC V2G is emerging but not yet mature. |
Develop cost-effective, standards-compliant V2G hardware and software. Support pilot programs and utility partnerships to validate use cases and accelerate commercialization. |
Stationary Electric Battery Storage Systems (BESS) |
Scaling |
Fleet operators and charging providers are deploying stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS) to buffer grid demand and enable off-peak charging. |
Depot-based fleets, urban delivery, peak-hour transit operations. |
Reduces peak load impact, enables time-shifting of energy use, supports grid resilience, and can provide ancillary services like frequency regulation and demand response. |
Integrate BESS with EMS platforms and offer grid services through aggregation. |
Mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) |
Emerging |
Portable BESS units are being deployed to provide flexible, temporary charging capacity at depots, events, or along corridors without grid upgrades. |
Emergency fleets, temporary logistics, remote or underserved charging sites. |
Reduces dependency on grid infrastructure, supports off-grid charging, and enables rapid deployment in constrained areas. |
Offer mobile, containerized BESS solutions with integrated power electronics and grid interface capabilities. |
Grid technology vendor landscape
Grid technology vendors are evolving from traditional equipment suppliers into full-spectrum transformation partners, offering integrated hardware, software and systems for EVCI. Their capabilities span planning, deployment and real-time grid optimization. Key vendors include:
- ABB: Provides substation automation and high-power charging, ideal for heavy duty vehicle (HDV) corridor infrastructure.
- ADS-TEC Energy: Enables ultra-fast charging in grid-constrained areas using battery-buffered systems.
- Alfen: Builds modular EV chargers and storage systems tailored to European grid standards.
- ChargePoint: Operates a large open charging network with hardware and fleet management tools.
- Driivz: Offers an EV charging and energy management platform, including smart charging, grid services integration, and real-time monitoring for utilities, fleet managers and charging point operators (CPOs.)
- Eaton: Known for modular substations and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) integration, enabling flexible depot and corridor charging.
- Enel X: Combines smart charging and demand response with utility-backed energy services.
- GE Vernova: Delivers BESS integrated with GridOS and digital substations with advanced analytics and predictive maintenance.
- Heliox: Specializes in high-power charging for transit fleets with rapid deployment capabilities.
- Honeywell: Integrates building and grid systems via its Forge platform, excelling in predictive analytics.
- Nuvve: Pioneers V2G platforms and fleet energy optimization, especially for school buses.
- ·Schneider Electric: Offers Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) and microgrid platforms, leading in distributed energy orchestration.
- Siemens: Specializes in grid automation, EV load management and digital twins, with strengths in urban mobility and real-time control.
- Tritium: Manufactures compact, liquid-cooled DC fast chargers for high-traffic and space-limited sites.
- Wallbox: Develops bidirectional charging and home energy integration for residential and commercial use.
Recommendation for Grid Technology Vendors
The electrification of transport presents an opportunity for industrial technology vendors to shape the future of energy and mobility infrastructure. Companies like Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, GE Vernova, Eaton, Honeywell and others are not only enabling this transition but actively shaping it through their platforms, services that reflect the architecture of the smart grid.
The following priorities reflect their core focus areas of developments:
- Grid Resilience and Automation: Vendors are investing in self-healing grid technologies, automated fault detection, and substation digitalization to handle the volatility introduced by high-capacity EV charging. Examples include ABB’s Ability Smart Substations, GE Vernova’s GridOS, and Siemens’ Spectrum.
- DER Orchestration and Microgrid Readiness: As EV charging sites integrate solar PV, battery storage, and backup generation, orchestrating distributed energy resources (DERs) becomes critical. Platforms such as Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure DERMS, and Eaton’s Brightlayer Energy Management Suite, Siemens’ SICAM Microgrid Controller, Enel X’s JuiceNet, and Alfen’s TheBattery Connect are all designed to manage complex, bidirectional energy flows across diverse energy assets.
- Predictive Maintenance and Digital Twins: To reduce downtime and optimize asset performance, vendors are embedding AI and machine learning into their platforms. Honeywell Forge, Siemens Xcelerator, and GE Vernova’s APM use digital twins and predictive analytics to simulate grid behavior, forecast failures, and optimize maintenance especially for high-utilization assets like depot transformers and fast chargers.
- Interoperability and Open Standards: With the proliferation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) vendors, DERs, and grid-edge devices, interoperability is essential. Vendors are championing open protocols such as OCPP and IEEE 2030.5 and modular architectures to ensure seamless integration. ChargePoint supports OCPP, OpenADR, and ISO 15118; Wallbox’s Pulsar Plus and Quasar 2 offer V2G and open protocol compatibility; Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure EV Charging Expert supports multi-vendor integration; and ADS-TEC Energy’s ChargeBox and ChargePost are protocol-agnostic and modular.
- Smart City and Autonomous Mobility Integration: Urban electrification is converging with smart city initiatives and autonomous vehicle deployment. Siemens’ Yunex Traffic and Mobility Operating System, Honeywell’s City Suite and Connected Urban Transport, ABB’s Terra 360 and Ability Connected Services, and Heliox’s OCPI-compliant transit charging systems are enabling EV infrastructure to support dynamic routing, load balancing, and real-time energy optimization in urban environments. According to 451 Research’s Voice of the Enterprise: Internet of Things, OT Perspective, Use Cases and Outcomes 2024, EV charging, electric buses, and autonomous shuttles rank among the top technology deployment priorities for smart cities in the next two years, as identified by government respondents. This prioritization highlights EV charging growing role in municipal digital transformation and infrastructure planning.
These capabilities position grid technology vendors as key partners in co-developing solutions with EV fleet operators, auto OEMs, mobility service providers, and municipalities—aligning infrastructure planning, regulatory compliance, and operational performance to scale electrification while maintaining grid stability and resilience.