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Switching to electric trucks can feel overwhelming. You want to cut costs, stay compliant, and improve sustainability—but the idea of installing EV chargers? That’s where things get confusing. We understand.
The noise around EV chargers—from misinformation about prices to uncertainty around hidden costs—can leave any fleet manager feeling overwhelmed. Will the costs skyrocket? Will there be disruptions in operations? What about the ROI? Let’s clear things up.
At Aeversa, we understand the concerns that may cause hesitation when considering the transition to electric vehicles. We’re here to make sense of it all and show you that the transition doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Key Insights on EV Charger Pricing: What Fleet Managers Need to Know
To make a smart decision about EV chargers, you need to know what factors affect the cost and where you can get real value. Let’s break down the key things you need to know:
Charger Types:
Different electric trucks need different chargers. You’ll want chargers that fit your trucks and charging needs. Chargers vary by power output, connector type, and compatibility with different truck models. For instance, larger trucks may require high-power DC fast chargers, while smaller vehicles can use lower-power AC chargers. It’s important to match the charger type to your fleet's specific needs —considering factors like charging speed, frequency of charging, and available infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
Charger Prices Have Come Down:
Charger prices have dropped dramatically over the past four years. Increased production, particularly in China, has driven competition and efficiency among manufacturers, which means significantly lower prices for you. For instance, in 2021, a 50kW DC charger cost between R450k and R550k, translating to R9-11k per kW. Today, that rate has plummeted to an average of R3.2k-R4k per kW, with some chargers as low as R2.8k/kW—a 60-75% reduction!
Understanding Charger Value Through R/kW Rate:
The best way to look at DC charger pricing is the R/kW rate—essentially, how much power you get for every rand spent. This "bang for your buck rate" helps assess the overall value of your investment. As mentioned, in just a few years, prices have dropped by 60-75%, offering fleet managers a much more affordable entry point into EV charging infrastructure.
Key Charging Station Cost Factors:
Installing EV chargers is more affordable than you might think. With value engineering (optimising designs to reduce costs without compromising quality) and installation standardisation (using consistent processes and hardware to minimise complexity and expense), we ensure that you’re not paying more than necessary. With the growing size and density of charger installations in South Africa, the future looks promising for continued cost reductions.
Chargers have also become smarter and more reliable. The introduction of OCPP 2 standards has streamlined billing, enabled remote troubleshooting, and ensured over 99% uptime for chargers. Additionally, liquid-cooled cables are now lighter and more ergonomic, allowing f
aster charging by pushing up to 150% more current, improving both efficiency and user convenience. The right functionality is crucial to achieving peak efficiency and reliability.
Not All Chargers Are Created Equal
It’s important to know that chargers are built differently and their quality varies significantly. Differences in body materials, charging efficiency, and adherence to OCPP standards can affect overall performance. Consulting a charge point operator like Aeversa ensures you select hardware that meets the specific needs of your use case and location.
Hidden EV Charger Costs & How to Minimise Them
We believe in being upfront. There may be costs associated with permits, power supply upgrades, or ongoing maintenance. But these don’t need to be surprises—we help you plan for them and minimise unexpected expenses.
Typical ROI Timelines
Expect to see returns through lower fuel and maintenance costs in as little as three months after a one-year trial, depending on fleet size, usage patterns, and the effectiveness of the trial and analysis. With advancements in charger efficiency, most DC fast chargers now reach 95-97% efficiency, reducing wasted power. Plus, by generating electricity through solar, your cost per kilometer drops even more, and you gain sovereignty over your energy.
Charging as a Service (CaaS)
CaaS lowers upfront costs and spreads expenses over time, making EV adoption easier while reducing the financial risks associated with large upfront capital investments. One of the biggest advantages of CaaS is flexibility—your fleet can easily upgrade to faster chargers as your needs evolve, unlike purchasing chargers outright, which locks you into outdated hardware.
If a client purchases a charger outright, they are forced to keep the same unit, even if their fleet's needs change. With CaaS, however, upgrading is simple. Additionally, renting chargers under CaaS ensures that the monthly cost is lower than direct financing, with added value like regular servicing and inspections to maximize uptime, high-quality software solutions, 24/7 remote support, training for your team, and extended warranties on wear parts—resulting in fewer surprise costs.
Compared to financing chargers directly, CaaS reduces the burden of large upfront payments, minimises maintenance concerns, and provides ongoing support and upgrades. Financing chargers typically involves higher monthly payments, lacks flexibility, and requires you to handle all the associated servicing and upgrades—leaving you with greater long-term costs and complexity.
What Success Looks Like
Imagine a future where your fleet’s running costs are lower than ever. You’re saving money on fuel, cutting down on maintenance, and reducing your carbon footprint. Regardless of costs, if you look at the cost per unit of energy, EVs make financial sense on that metric alone. You’ve taken advantage of government incentives, your operations are more efficient, and you can proudly show stakeholders that you’re leading the way towards a sustainable future.
The Risk of Standing Still
But what if you don’t act now? You risk falling behind and losing the opportunity to leverage cost savings, improved operations and government incentives. Additionally, meeting your ESG agenda enhances your public brand value, helping you stand out as a leader in sustainability.
When you do decide to switch, you may face a steep learning curve and struggle to catch up as your competitors get ahead. Integrating EVs should be approached gradually to avoid overwhelming and disrupting your operations. It’s not just about sustainability; it’s about maintaining your competitive edge and preparing for what’s to come.
Take the First Step Towards Electrification
We want to make the path forward as simple as possible. Whether it’s a no-commitment consultation to evaluate your fleet’s needs, or a customised proposal and quote that spells it all out, we’re here to help you get started.
Ready to take action? Let us show you how installing EV chargers could be a smooth, cost-effective transition—no confusion, no stress.
Take the leap towards a cleaner, more efficient future—one charger, one truck at a time. Aeversa is here to guide you every step of the way.
If you would prefer a quote or some more information, click the button below to request a quote from our products page.
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