Your e-truck is located at a partner company's depot and needs to charge overnight. The bill comes at the end of the month: 0.62 euros per kilowatt hour – almost four times your own business electricity tariff of 0.17 euros. With 400 kWh, this totals 248 euros instead of 68 euros for a single charging process. Extrapolated to 15 trucks each with two external depot charging processes per week, annual additional costs of over 140,000 euros arise – just because you cannot use your own cheap electricity contract at the external depot. A scenario that drives hundreds of logistics companies to despair every day and proves: depot charging without your own electricity contract is a cost trap.

The solution lies not in even cheaper charging prices from depot operators or more complicated billing models. It lies in the throughput model for depot charging – a technology that enables transport companies to use their own electricity contract at the external depot as well. This innovation transforms every partner depot into an extension of your own yard and could reduce charging costs by up to 70 percent.

What depot charging with your own electricity contract really means

Depot charging with your own electricity contract is far more than just a different billing method. It is a fundamental paradigm shift in e-truck logistics that completely changes the power dynamics between depot operators and guest fleets. While conventional depot charging solutions force logistics companies to accept the electricity prices of the depot operator, the throughput model enables true energy autonomy even at the external depot.

The technology operates on a clear principle: commercially speaking, the charging power comes directly from your own electricity supplier – not from the depot operator. Your electricity contract is "channeled" into the foreign charging infrastructure. You only pay for the use of the charging infrastructure (usage fee), but you procure the electricity through your own favorable contract.

This form of electricity throughput fundamentally revolutionizes the cost structure of depot charging. While transport companies previously helplessly succumbed to the exorbitant electricity prices of depot operators, they can now utilize their own business electricity conditions everywhere. A transport company that pays 0.17 euros per kWh for its home depot can theoretically use that price at any partner depot – instead of the usual 0.55 to 0.75 euros.

The problem with the current external depot charging practices

The current practice of charging at external depots resembles an economic nightmare for logistics companies. Depot operators often calculate their electricity prices based on completely different principles than public charging stations – and the results are catastrophic for guest fleets.

The fundamental problem lies in the lack of choice. When your truck must charge at the external depot, you have no alternative. The depot operator sets the price, which is typically well above the actual electricity costs. The reasons for this are manifold: investment costs for the charging infrastructure must be amortized, administrative expenses for billing and management are incurred, and not least, the depot operator wants to make a profit from the "ancillary business" of electricity sales.

The price structures are often obscure. While your own business electricity tariff is clearly calculable – basic fee, usage price, grid fees – at the external depot you usually receive only a flat-rate kilowatt hour price without a breakdown. How much of that is actually electricity costs and how much is infrastructure usage and profit margin remains unclear.

It becomes particularly problematic for large customers. A logistics company with favorable industrial electricity contracts of 0.15 euros per kWh suddenly pays 0.65 euros at the external depot – a markup of over 400 percent. With daily charging capacities of 3,000 kWh, this price difference alone results in an additional cost of 1,500 euros per day, 45,000 euros per month, and 540,000 euros annually in avoidable expenses.

Transparent cost structure through throughput model

The throughput model creates complete transparency in depot charging costs for the first time. Instead of an opaque flat-rate price, transport companies see a clear breakdown: their constant electricity tariff from their own contract plus the charges from the depot operator for the infrastructure.

This separation is commercially crucial, even if physically the same electricity flows. In liberalized electricity markets, the separate consideration of physical and commercial flows is a fundamental principle. This principle enables transport companies to use their own favorable electricity contract – including any solar self-generation – even at the external depot.

The usage fees for the charging infrastructure remain fair and comprehensible. The depot operator provides the hardware, maintains the facilities, and handles the administrative processing. These services are billed through transparent usage fees – typically between 0.08 and 0.15 euros per kWh, depending on the charging infrastructure and services provided.

The result is a win-win situation: transport companies save drastically on electricity costs, while depot operators receive fair revenues for their infrastructure. One example illustrates this: instead of paying 0.62 euros flat rate, the transport company pays 0.17 euros for their own electricity tariff plus 0.12 euros as a usage fee, totaling 0.29 euros – a savings of 53 percent.

Guests charge at the depot: New business models for depot operators

For depot operators, the throughput model opens up completely new business opportunities. Instead of just serving their own fleet, the depot becomes an attractive charging hub for partner companies and guest fleets.

The advantages are clear: existing charging infrastructure is used more efficiently, additional revenues from usage fees flow in, and collaboration with partner companies is intensified. A depot with 20 charging points, which is only 40 percent utilized at night, can rent out its free capacities to guest fleets and amortize its infrastructure investments much faster.

The technical implementation is straightforward. With appropriate software and authentication, different transport companies can charge their vehicles at the same depot, each with their own electricity contract. The billing is done automatically via blockchain technology – transparent, tamper-proof, and without manual effort.

In the long run, this could lead to a network of mutual depot usage. Transport company A charges at transport company B in the north, while transport company B uses the infrastructure of transport company A in the south. Each pays their own electricity tariff plus fair usage fees – a real market for charging infrastructure emerges.

Blockchain-based billing for external depot charging

The billing of depot charging with your own electricity contract requires the highest precision and transparency. Blockchain technology offers the ideal solution by providing immutable and tamper-proof documentation of every charging process.

The blockchain documents each charging process via smart contracts with all relevant information: which vehicle charged when and where, how much energy was drawn, which electricity contract was used, and what usage fees apply. This data is stored immutably and can be accessed at any time by all involved parties – transport company, depot operator, electricity supplier.

This transparency creates trust and eliminates billing disputes. In the past, transport companies had to rely on the depot operator to measure and invoice consumption accurately. With blockchain-based documentation, all data is verifiable and tamper-proof. Every kilowatt hour is precisely assigned and documented.

Automated billing also dramatically reduces administrative effort. Instead of manual invoice preparation and verification, billing is done fully automatically based on blockchain data. At the end of the month, the transport company receives a detailed overview of all charging processes – sorted by depot, vehicle, date, with clear cost breakdown.

ROI calculation: When does depot charging with your own electricity contract pay off?

The economic viability of depot charging with your own electricity contract can be precisely calculated. The main cost drivers are high electricity prices at external depots and administrative inefficiencies in billing. The throughput model could eliminate both factors.

A realistic scenario: a logistics company with 15 e-trucks uses external depots for overnight charging twice a week per vehicle. Each charging process requires 350 kWh. With current external depot prices of 0.58 euros per kWh, annual costs amount to 270,600 euros. With their own electricity contract (0.17 euros) plus usage fees (0.11 euros), costs would drop to 147,000 euros – a theoretical savings of 123,600 euros per year.

The implementation costs for a throughput system would include the necessary software, integration, and training. With estimated one-time costs of 25,000 euros and annual service fees of 8,000 euros, a calculated payback period would be under three months.

The long-term savings would be even clearer. Over five years, avoided additional costs could add up to over 600,000 euros – with total investment costs of under 70,000 euros, a remarkable return on investment.

Technical requirements for guests charging at the depot

The technical requirements for depot charging with your own electricity contract are manageable. The most important component is an intelligent energy management system that can manage various electricity contracts from different users.

The charging infrastructure itself does not need to be specially adapted. Standard charging stations or wall boxes can be used as long as they have an interface for authentication and data transmission. Most modern charging systems already meet these requirements.

Crucial is the software solution that implements the throughput model. It must be capable of uniquely identifying vehicles, assigning the associated electricity contract, documenting the charging processes, and splitting the billing – electricity costs to the electricity supplier, usage fees to the depot operator.

The cloud-based architecture allows for access from anywhere. Dispatchers can see in real-time which vehicles are charging where, how high the current costs are, and which depots are available. This transparency significantly simplifies route planning and cost optimization.

Legal framework for external depot charging

The legal foundations for the throughput model in depot charging are evolving parallel to those for public charging stations. The Federal Network Agency has basically decided that energy users should be allowed to use their own electricity at external charging points.

For e-trucks, the situation is particularly clear: charging point operators (CPOs) must allow free tariff choice. This obligation applies not only to public charging stations but can also be extended to semi-public depots that grant access to third-party users.

The energy economic processing is done through virtual balancing. The amount of electricity charged is assigned to the balancing group of the transport company's electricity supplier, not that of the depot operator. This separation is essential for correct commercial billing.

Tax law offers advantages with this model: companies can claim electricity costs directly as business expenses, and the input tax deduction is clearly possible. With flat-rate depot charging prices, the tax assignment was often more complicated, as it was unclear which portion actually constituted electricity costs and which was for infrastructure usage.

Selection criteria for throughput solutions in depot charging

When selecting a throughput solution for depot charging, logistics companies should consider several factors. Compatibility with different charging infrastructures is crucial – the solution must work with the systems of various depot operators.

Scalability plays an important role. A solution that works for three partner depots today must also be able to manage 30 depots tomorrow – without complete reimplementation. Modular systems offer the greatest flexibility in this regard.

User-friendliness must not be underestimated. Drivers must be able to authenticate themselves easily, dispatchers need clear dashboards, and accounting requires well-structured invoices. Complicated systems fail in practice, no matter how good the technology is.

The maturity of development should be honestly assessed. The throughput model for depot charging is still young, and no provider can present a fully developed solution with years of practical experience. Therefore, commitment to continuous development and transparent handling of current limitations is important.

Implementation: The path to your own electricity contract at an external depot

The implementation of depot charging with your own electricity contract begins with a careful inventory. Which external depots are regularly used? What are the current charging costs there? What savings would be realistic through the throughput model?

The technical implementation requires coordination with the depot operators. They must be willing to open their charging infrastructure for the throughput model. Persuasion is needed here: depot operators benefit from transparent usage fees and better utilization of their infrastructure.

The pilot phase should begin with one or two partner depots. There, the technology is tested, processes are optimized, and initial experiences are gathered. This phase typically lasts four to eight weeks and provides valuable insights for expansion.

The scaling then takes place gradually. Proven processes are transferred to other partner depots, the software is continuously improved, and the network grows organically. The goal is a dense network of depots where the own fleet can charge at any time with its own electricity contract.

The future of depot charging: From cost factor to business model

The development of depot charging is just beginning a fundamental transformation. What is still perceived as a cost factor today could become an independent business model tomorrow.

Depot operators could actively market their charging infrastructure and expand it into commercial charging hubs. Transport companies that operate strategically located depots could offer this as a service to other fleet operators, generating additional revenue.

The integration of renewable energies will play a central role. Depots with large solar systems could not only feed excess electricity into the grid but sell it directly to guest fleets. The throughput model allows transport companies to specifically procure solar power from the depot operator – on fair terms and with comprehensive proof of origin.

Vehicle-to-Grid functionality would make depots active participants in the energy market. E-truck batteries serve as buffer storage, charging during electricity surpluses and feeding back into the grid during peak loads. The revenues generated could be shared between the depot operator and the fleet operator.

The turning point has been reached: Act now

Depot charging with your own electricity contract is on the brink of breakthrough. The legal foundations have been established, the technology is available, and initial pilot projects show the enormous savings potential. Logistics companies that act now will gain decisive competitive advantages.

While implementation requires coordination with partners and initial investments, the savings far outweigh the effort. Additional costs of six-figure amounts annually due to overpriced external depot prices are avoidable.

Market development favors innovative solutions. More and more depot operators recognize the advantage of transparent usage fees over opaque flat-rate prices. The EU is pushing for energy flexibility and fair market conditions. The window of opportunity for pioneers is optimal.

The first step is a potential analysis of the current external depot charging costs. How much could be saved by utilizing the own electricity contract? Which partner depots would be suitable for a pilot implementation? What technical requirements need to be established?

The future of depot charging is transparent, cost-optimized, and focused on collaboration. Companies that actively shape this transformation will be the market leaders of tomorrow. The technology is ready – it is up to decision-makers to utilize it.