Allstar has launched a new charging option for electric HGV fleets which it claimed addressed problems over public infrastructure not built for large vehicles and costly private site kit.
The Allstar Commercial Charging Payment Network combines access to public and semi-private charging infrastructure through a single integrated payment solution.
The fuel card company said its proposition had been designed around the day-to-day realities of commercial fleet operations.
Infrastructure partners have been selected for site suitability, including pull-through bays, wide turning spaces and high-power charging capable of supporting larger battery systems, including megawatt charging systems.
Corpay firm Allstar’s launch comes as businesses continue to face growing pressure around fleet electrification whilst charging infrastructure has been slow to scale.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) highlighted the scale of the challenge facing operators, with 83% agreeing that investment in charging infrastructure was essential for the transition to zero-emission HGVs, while infrastructure availability remained one of the biggest barriers to adoption.
Allstar said its solution relied on sites positioned along key logistics corridors, while selected semi-private locations could be pre-booked to help reduce queuing and disruption.
It added that the proposition combined two access models: an open-access public network including partners such as Gridserve Electric Freightway Fleete and InstaVolt, alongside a controlled-access semi-private network of locations that included partners such as Voltempo and First Charge.
Tom Rowlands, MD of Global EV Solutions at Allstar, said: “Commercial fleets do not just need access to charging but they need infrastructure that fits around the realities of running a fleet.
“For many operators, the choice has been between public charging infrastructure that is not designed for larger commercial vehicles, or the significant investment needed to build dedicated depot infrastructure.
“We are giving fleets another option: scalable charging access designed around operational requirements, without the cost and complexity of building and managing their own charging estate.”
Toby Poston, BVRLA CE, added: “Our latest HGV Outlook report shows that infrastructure availability remains one of the most significant barriers to zero-emission HGV adoption.
“Operators consistently tell us they need greater certainty around charging availability, infrastructure investment and practical deployment pathways if they are to transition with confidence.
“Expanding access to suitable charging infrastructure will be an important part of supporting that journey.”
