According to the Ohm Analytics Q1 2025 U.S. EV Charging Market Report, the new year began on a strong note for fleet electrification and charging infrastructure, even as policy uncertainty continues to cloud the long-term outlook.
In Q1 2025, installations of Level 2 (L2) ports surged 49% year-over-year, while DC fast charging (DCFC) ports increased by 20% compared to the same quarter last year. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, commercial L2 installations grew 13% and DCFC ports saw an impressive 25% boost over Q4 2024, signaling continued investment momentum across commercial sites.
Much of this growth has been driven by fleet and multi-family charging projects, which together accounted for 71% of all commercial ports installed during the first quarter. This focus on serving high-utilization segments reflects a growing push to build dependable, scalable infrastructure that supports both daily commuting and fleet electrification needs.
Ohm Analytics Webinar: “Pushing Fleet Electrification Forward: Maximizing ROI of Fleet Charging Sites”
Ethan Lipman, Director of Commercial Energy Solutions at Autel, participated in a webinar hosted by Ohm Analytics, titled Pushing Fleet Electrification Forward: Maximizing ROI of Fleet Charging sites.
The meeting centered on fleet electrification trends and infrastructure growth across the U.S., featuring a presentation of market data by Ohm Analytics and a dynamic panel discussion with experts spanning software, infrastructure, utilities, and hardware sectors. Panelists explored the current challenges and opportunities in fleet electrification, highlighting the need to balance both capital and operational expenses, the critical role of utility partnerships, and the influence of recent policy changes on federal incentives.
While acknowledging ongoing uncertainties, the panelists shared an overall sense of optimism about the bright future of fleet electrification, underscoring the potential for continued innovation, collaborative knowledge sharing, and customized solutions to maximize infrastructure investments and reduce costs.
Ethan Lipman, Director of Commercial Energy Solutions at Autel Energy North America said:
“As I reflect on my history in the EV charging business, and more broadly, in energy and infrastructure, we are entering a new phase of the business where we now have to compete without subsidies, and we need to compete to offer improved reliability, uptime, and fast resolution to problems. EV charging is an important amenity at a hotel, but for fleets, the reliability of charging infrastructure can make or break the operation. Municipal electric bussing, last mile package delivery, and autonomous driving fleets like Waymo or Zoox, are all scaling up, and Autel is introducing the DH480 to meet this moment.”
Autel Leads the Move Towards a 300kW+ Power Expectation
On July 1, 2025, Autel Europe announced the successful delivery of its Megawatt Charging System (MCS) project in partnership with Icelandic charge point operator Orka náttúrunnar / ON Power.
This milestone represents the first true commercial deployment of Autel’s MCS solution in Europe, firmly establishing Autel as one of the region’s leading providers of megawatt charging technology.
The MCS project is designed to support the growing electrification of heavy-duty transport in Iceland, a country recognized for its commitment to renewable energy and carbon neutrality. By enabling ultra-fast, megawatt-level charging, this system dramatically reduces charging times for electric trucks and commercial vehicles, supporting greater uptime and operational efficiency for fleet operators.
The success of this project is closely linked to Autel’s active participation in key industry events and technical collaborations earlier this year. Notably, Autel took part in the CharIN Controller Testing in Spain in April and the MCS interoperability testing organized by CharIN in France this June. These critical initiatives laid the foundation for seamless integration and ensured its MCS solution meets the highest standards of safety, reliability, and interoperability.
Joachim Lohse, Founder and CEO, Ampcontrol, said: ““The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) marks a pivotal shift in the commercial vehicle charging landscape. It enables logistics operators, food & beverage distributors, and port facilities to electrify sites that demand ultra-fast truck charging. Increasingly, we’re seeing these fast chargers deployed alongside battery energy storage systems, offering a flexible and resilient charging solution. For fleet operators, this means trucks can be charged during routine loading and unloading or driver breaks—typically lasting 30 to 60 minutes. When combined with overnight depot charging, this hybrid approach virtually eliminates range and uptime constraints, unlocking scalable electrification across the trucking sector.”
MaxiCharger MCS Dispenser II: Revolutionizing Megawatt Charging for Fleets
Autel is once again setting the standard for high-power EV charging with the launch of its new MaxiCharger MCS Dispenser II, unveiled in February 2025. Building on the momentum of the original MaxiCharger Megawatt Charging System (MCS), this second-generation dispenser is engineered to meet the rapidly evolving needs of electric trucks and commercial vehicles.
A major highlight of the MCS Dispenser II is the addition of a CCS (Combined Charging System) socket, providing enhanced compatibility for mixed-fleet operations. As fleet managers increasingly adopt diverse electric vehicle models, this dual-socket design ensures seamless integration and operational flexibility without the need for multiple chargers.
The MCS Dispenser II delivers megawatt-level power, significantly cutting down charging times — a critical advantage for logistics operators where every minute of vehicle downtime impacts the bottom line. By enabling ultra-fast charging, fleets can maximize vehicle utilization and improve route efficiency, all while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Beyond raw power, the MCS Dispenser II introduces major improvements in cable management, making it easier and safer for drivers and operators to handle heavy-duty charging cables in depot or roadside environments. Its intelligent load balancing optimizes power distribution across multiple vehicles, supporting smoother fleet operations even during peak demand.
Advanced thermal management systems keep the dispenser performing reliably, preventing overheating and ensuring consistent performance under demanding conditions. Robust safety features — from fault detection to emergency shut-off systems — provide peace of mind, aligning with the highest global safety standards.
“MCS dispenser II is the result of extensive market research. Listening to the needs of fleet customers and delivering flexible solutions is the core of what we strive to attain with every one of our product offerings,” said Dan Larson, Sr. Sales Engineer, Autel Energy.
With the MaxiCharger MCS Dispenser II, Autel continues to empower fleets to go further, faster — and more sustainably.
Why Autel Energy’s MaxiCharger DH480 Is a Smart Choice for Fleet Electrification
As more companies shift toward electric vehicle (EV) fleets to reduce operating costs and meet sustainability goals, the importance of reliable, fast, and flexible charging solutions has never been greater. Autel Energy’s MaxiCharger DH480 stands out as a powerful option that checks every box for fleet managers looking to electrify efficiently and confidently.
Ultra-Fast Charging for Maximum Uptime
Time is money — especially for fleet operations. The MaxiCharger DH480 delivers ultra-fast charging capabilities, dramatically reducing downtime and keeping vehicles on the road longer. With power outputs of up to 480 kW, it can charge most commercial EVs to 80% in as little as 20 minutes. For fleet managers, this means faster turnaround between shifts and more predictable schedules.
All-in-One, Space-Saving Design
Unlike traditional charging setups that require multiple separate units, the MaxiCharger integrates the power cabinet and charging post into a single compact design. This all-in-one approach saves valuable real estate, simplifies installation, and reduces overall infrastructure costs — a critical advantage for fleet depots where space is often limited.
Smart, Future-Ready Technology
The MaxiCharger DH480 is packed with intelligent features, including dynamic load management, remote monitoring, and flexible software integrations. These tools help fleet operators optimize energy use, balance charging demand, and minimize utility costs. Advanced connectivity also means operators can easily track charger performance and vehicle readiness in real time.
Robust and Reliable
Built to withstand harsh outdoor environments, Autel’s charger is durable and dependable. Whether installed in a hot desert fleet yard or a cold northern terminal, it delivers consistent performance. Its robust design ensures long-term reliability — a must-have for mission-critical fleet operations.
Supporting Sustainability Goals
Switching to EVs is a significant step toward lowering a fleet’s carbon footprint, but the right charging infrastructure amplifies these benefits. By enabling quick, efficient charging, the MaxiCharger supports smooth fleet transitions to electric while boosting operational efficiency.
Jennifer Harp, Vice President EV Programs at First Student said: “Autel chargers and related services are of exceptional quality. The vendor has proven to be a valuable partner, consistently delivering sound product solutions and dependable support. First Student and Autel Energy have cultivated a strategic partnership over the past several years.”
“To date, First Student has deployed approximately forty of Autel’s 40kW DC Compact chargers within our operational ecosystem, with an additional 400 units currently on order. The reliability of Autel chargers has been thoroughly validated through interoperability testing conducted with our major school bus original equipment manufacturers (OEMs),” continued Harp. ”First Student greatly values its partnership with Autel Energy and looks forward to continuing the successful deployment of electric vehicles throughout North America.”
How Solar and Battery Energy Storage Work Together to Charge Electric Fleets
By combining solar power, battery energy storage, and EV charging, fleet managers and businesses can unlock powerful synergies that go far beyond what each technology can offer on its own for fleets.
An onsite solar system generates clean, renewable energy during the day, typically peaking around midday. With battery energy storage, you can store surplus solar energy and deploy it later — for example, during evening hours or whenever grid electricity prices spike. This approach helps reduce dependence on expensive grid power and shields you from volatile time-of-use (TOU) charges.
Using stored energy during periods of high demand to reduce your facility’s peak load and avoid costly demand charges from utilities. Not only does this lower your fleet’s operational expenses, but integrating energy storage enables better load management, ensuring that charging does not overwhelm your facility’s electrical infrastructure or drive up demand charges.
Pairing EV chargers with a solar-plus-storage system allows you to deliver truly green electricity to your fleet vehicles. Instead of relying on grid power that may come from fossil fuels, you can charge vehicles directly with solar energy, significantly improving your sustainability credentials.
When solar, storage, and EV charging systems are integrated into a microgrid, your facility gains the ability to operate independently from the main utility grid during outages. This level of energy resiliency is essential for businesses that rely on electric vehicles to maintain core services and deliveries.
Deploying combined energy assets on your property also opens the door to virtual power plant (VPP) participation. VPPs aggregate distributed energy resources (DERs) — such as solar, storage, and flexible loads — to help balance the broader grid and provide ancillary services.
Autel Energy: Your Best Source for Fleet Electrification
“Data has already proven how much fleets are saving when switching to full BEV; the early adopters are going to have a large advantage in the long run,” said Dan Larson, Sr. Sales Engineer, Autel Energy.
Fleet electrification has a bright future, despite policy changes in the United States. Solar energy, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are proving to be a valuable part of this exciting transformation. Autel Energy’s powerful Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) chargers are leading the industry. Together, these technologies enable faster charging, lower operating costs, and a more resilient, sustainable energy ecosystem for large-scale electric fleets. Autel is ready to support you every step of the way, providing cutting-edge solutions to help you transition smoothly and stay ahead. Reach out today to start building your electrified future.
