Gray electric Mercedes van charging at a mobile EV charger inside an industrial warehouse

Before You Buy a Movable DC Fast Charger: A Checklist for Fleet Managers

⚠️ Industrial Equipment Warning

Movable DC Chargers are not oversized power banks. They transform AC grid power to DC power at high speeds. They require industrial 3-phase power inputs.

🏭 For Fleet Managers: Sizing Your Transformer

When deploying a movable DC Fast Charger (20kW–40kW), the bottleneck is rarely the charger, but your facility’s KVA rating. A 20kW DC unit requires approximately 25-30 KVA of spare capacity from your transformer.

The Necessity of 3-Phase Power: High-power DC conversion cannot run on residential single-phase circuits. For European and Asian fleet depots, a standard 400V 3-phase grid is required. In the US, you will typically need 480V industrial service. Using a Phase-Balanced ChargePapa DC Station ensures you don't overload one specific line, protecting your facility from expensive peak-demand penalties from utility companies.

Pro Tip: Check your distribution board for a CEE 32A or 63A red socket before purchase. If missing, budget for an industrial outlet installation.

1. Check Your Input Power (Critical)

The #1 mistake buyers make is assuming these plug into a standard wall socket. They do not.

  • Voltage Requirement: Most movable DC units (20kW/30kW/40kW) require 380V - 480V 3-Phase AC input.
  • Plug Type: You will likely need a CEE 63A or similar industrial socket installed at your facility.

2. Use Cases: Why Go Movable?

Why spend more on a movable DC unit versus a fixed AC wallbox?

  • Vehicle Repair Shops: Quickly charge customer cars inside the shop without dedicating a specific parking spot.
  • Fleet Depots: Charging logistics vans overnight where fixed infrastructure is too expensive to install.
  • Events & Emergency: Providing rapid top-ups at temporary venues.

3. Weight & Mobility

Even though they are "movable," these units contain heavy transformers and rectifiers.

Average Weight: 40kg - 80kg (88lbs - 176lbs).

Ensure your facility has flat concrete floors. Moving a 60kg unit over gravel or grass is not feasible.

Looking for a B2B Quote? We supply fleet solutions globally.

Request Fleet Pricing →