In commercial real estate and logistics, asset utilization defines success. Yet, one of the most expensive assets in the modern logistics portfolio—the EV charging depot—frequently sits idle for 12 hours a day.

For fleet operators, a depot that only serves proprietary vehicles between 6 PM and 6 AM represents a missed opportunity. The capital investment in transformers, concrete, and high-power DC hardware has already been made. The marginal cost of selling that electricity to third parties is negligible, while the potential revenue can transform a cost center into a profit center.

The winning strategy for 2026 is the “Mixed-Use” Model: securing the depot for private fleet operations during the day and opening the digital gates to the public or partner fleets at night. Two technical shifts—OCPI Roaming and the NACS (J3400) standard—make this viable.

The Roaming Revolution: Selling Without Kiosks

Historically, opening a private depot to the public meant installing expensive credit card terminals and hiring security guards. Today, software handles the transaction.

By implementing OCPI 2.2.1 (Open Charge Point Interface), a fleet depot can broadcast its availability to public navigation apps or specific e-Mobility Service Providers (eMSPs) like Uber, Lyft, or local logistics partners. Drivers locate the charger, authenticate via their own fleet card or app, and charge. The backend handles the reconciliation automatically.

This “invisible” transaction layer allows asset owners to monetize capacity without managing retail payments or installing physical payment hardware.

The NACS Opportunity: Accessing the Tesla Army

The business case for mixed-use hubs has strengthened significantly with the industry’s shift to SAE J3400 (NACS). In the US, the vast majority of EVs on the road are Teslas. Previously, these drivers were physically locked out of commercial CCS depots.

With the adoption of NACS connectors and ISO 15118 “Plug & Charge” software support, fleet hubs can now natively serve this massive demographic. A private depot can effectively become a “Supercharger-compatible” site for the evening, capturing revenue from gig-economy drivers or local residents who need reliable, high-speed charging.

Security via Software

The primary hesitation for fleet managers remains security. Allowing third-party vehicles into a secure facility feels risky.

Modern Charging Station Management Systems (CSMS) mitigate this through Dynamic Access Control.

  • Time-Fencing: Chargers automatically switch from “Private” to “Public” mode at specific hours (e.g., 8 PM to 5 AM).
  • User-Fencing: Access is restricted to trusted roaming partners (e.g., a contract with a local taxi fleet) rather than the general public.
  • Priority Logic: If a company truck returns unexpectedly, the system prioritizes its session over the roaming guest.

From Expense to Asset

The economics of high-power charging demand high utilization. A charger used four hours a day is a liability; a charger used 14 hours a day is an asset.

By leveraging interoperability protocols and the new NACS standard, fleet operators can unlock a secondary revenue stream that subsidizes their own electrification costs. The infrastructure is already in place; the only missing piece is the software key to unlock the door.