How load management lets a fleet charge without a supply upgrade

Vehicles come back in the afternoon and plug in while the site is still busy. Pick a fleet size, switch load management and peak-price avoidance on and off, and play through a full day to see whether the site stays under its supply limit and how much charging lands in peak time.

An illustration with an example site, not a quote. Figures are shown as a share of the supply limit. A site check and a licensed electrician confirm what your site can take.

What it does

Load management (also called dynamic load management or load balancing) measures the whole site at the main switchboard. It works out how much spare capacity is left under your supply limit and shares it between the chargers. When the site is busy, the chargers slow down. When it goes quiet, they speed up.

When you need it

Vehicles come back while the site is still running, for example a late shift, cool rooms or a workshop.
The number of chargers multiplied by their power is more than your spare supply.
You want to keep the evening peak down to limit demand charges.

Charging outside peak times

Most business tariffs charge more for power in the afternoon and evening peak. If there is enough time between the vehicles coming back and leaving again, the charging can wait until the peak ends and still fill every vehicle by morning. If there isn't enough time, a good controller charges only what it must during the peak and leaves the rest for cheaper hours. Peak times vary by network and tariff, so check yours.

What it can't do

It can't create energy your site doesn't have. If the fleet needs more kWh overnight than your spare supply can deliver in the hours available, some vehicles won't be full by morning. Then you start with fewer vehicles, add a battery or upgrade the supply. The site check gives a first answer, and this guide explains the figures it needs.

What to ask for

A controller that reads the whole site, not just the chargers, usually through a meter at the main switchboard.
A safe fallback. If the meter signal drops, the chargers should fall back to a low current instead of running flat out.
Priority settings, so the vehicles that leave first charge first.
Chargers that support OCPP, an open standard, so you aren't locked into one brand of charger or software.

A licensed electrician needs to confirm your site and set the limit the controller works to.