How to Charge an Electric Truck: Home vs Public Charging in India

Electric commercial vehicles such as the Euler Storm EV T1500, Euler Storm EV LongRange 200 and Euler Turbo EV 1000 are designed for cargo transportation and daily business use. Smaller electric cargo vehicles such as the Euler HiLoad EV also show how charging technology is becoming an important part of commercial EV ownership.

But where should you charge an electric truck? Is home charging enough, or should you depend on a public EV charging station?

Let’s understand the best charging options, charging time, costs and what businesses should check before buying an electric commercial vehicle.

What Are the Main Ways to Charge an Electric Truck?

An electric truck charging system can generally be used at three locations:

• Home or private parking
• Business premises or fleet depot
• Public EV charging stations

The right choice depends on the truck's battery capacity, daily running distance, charging speed and the number of hours the vehicle remains parked.

For example, a truck that returns to the same depot every evening has a very different charging requirement from a vehicle that operates on long intercity routes.

Home or Depot Charging for Electric Trucks

For most businesses, home or depot charging should be the first option to consider.

If your electric truck returns to the same location every day, you can plug it in after the working shift. The truck can then charge while it is parked instead of spending additional working hours at a public charging station.

This can work particularly well for businesses involved in:

• Local deliveries
• E-commerce transportation
• Grocery distribution
• FMCG delivery
• City cargo movement
• Fixed daily routes

Why Is Depot Charging Useful?

A dedicated electric truck charging station gives fleet owners more control over their vehicles.

You can decide when each truck should charge and plan the next day's operations around the available battery range.

For example, Euler's HiLoad EV supports AC charging and can be fully charged in around 3.5 to 4 hours. This makes scheduled charging practical for vehicles that return to a depot after their daily work.

For businesses with multiple electric trucks, however, the electrical load becomes more important. Charging several vehicles at the same time may require a higher-capacity connection and proper power management.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Truck?

The electric truck charging cost depends on the electricity tariff, battery capacity and energy consumption of the vehicle.

A simple way to estimate the cost is:

Charging Cost = Electricity Used × Electricity Tariff

For example, if a truck uses 40 kWh of electricity and the applicable tariff is ₹8 per unit, the energy cost would be about ₹320. The actual cost can vary because charging losses, electricity slabs and commercial tariffs can affect the final bill.

This is why buyers should calculate the cost per km of an electric truck instead of looking only at the price of electricity.

Public Charging for Electric Trucks

A public EV charging station becomes more useful when the truck travels outside its regular operating area.

Suppose an electric truck normally covers 150 km during its daily operations but receives an additional delivery that takes it much farther. A public charger can provide the additional energy needed without requiring the vehicle to return to its depot.

Public charging can be useful for:

• Long-distance deliveries
• Unexpected trips
• Intercity transportation
• Mid-day battery top-ups
• Emergency charging

Euler currently says its charging network has more than 6,000 charging points across 200+ cities, with station discovery available through its Shepherd App.

This shows why charging networks can become an important part of electric commercial vehicle operations.

AC Charging vs DC Fast Charging

Not every electric truck needs the same type of charger. AC charging and DC fast charging serve different purposes.

AC Charging

AC charging for electric trucks is suitable when the vehicle has several hours to remain parked. It can be a good option for overnight charging at a depot or business location. It can also reduce the need to visit public charging stations every day. The Euler HiLoad EV, for example, supports AC charging with a full charging time of around 3.5 to 4 hours.

DC Fast Charging

DC fast charging is designed for situations where charging time is limited. Euler says the HiLoad EV TR variant can gain 50 km of range in 15 minutes through DC fast charging. This type of charging can be useful when the vehicle needs to return to work quickly.

However, fast charging infrastructure can be more expensive, and frequent use may not always be the most economical option for routine daily charging.

How Long Does an Electric Truck Take to Charge?

There is no single answer to how long an electric truck takes to charge.

Charging time depends on:

• Battery capacity
• Charger output
• Vehicle charging capability
• Battery state of charge
• Temperature
• Charging technology

A vehicle with a smaller battery may charge faster than a larger electric truck. Similarly, a DC charger can reduce charging time compared with a standard AC setup.

This is why buyers should check the manufacturer's official charging time before purchasing an electric truck in India.

Which Is Better: Home Charging or Public Charging?

For regular commercial operations, home or depot charging is usually the better primary solution if the truck returns to the same location every day.

Public charging should mainly support longer routes and unexpected requirements.

Charging Type	Best For	Key Advantage
Home Charging	Individual owners and small businesses	Convenient daily charging
Depot Charging	Fleets and fixed routes	Better control over operations
Public Charging	Long-distance routes	Extra charging when needed
DC Fast Charging	Quick top-ups	Reduces charging downtime

What Should You Check Before Installing an EV Charger?

Before setting up a commercial EV charging station, check your electrical connection and daily operating pattern.

1. Check Your Electrical Load

Your existing connection may not be sufficient for a high-power charger. Speak with the local electricity provider before installation.

2. Check Daily Running Distance

Compare the truck's claimed range with your actual daily route. Keep some range as a safety margin instead of planning every trip around the maximum claimed range.

3. Check Parking Time

If your electric truck stays parked for six to eight hours, AC charging may be enough. If it works almost continuously, faster charging may become more important.

4. Plan for Future Fleet Growth

If you plan to add more electric commercial vehicles, design the charging infrastructure accordingly. A setup that works for one truck may not be enough for five trucks.

Final Verdict: Home or Public Charging?

For most daily-use electric trucks, depot charging should be the main charging solution, while public charging should work as a backup.

Models such as the Euler HiLoad EV show how AC and DC charging can support different commercial requirements. Meanwhile, Euler's current commercial EV range also includes the Storm EV T1500, Storm EV LongRange 200 and Turbo EV 1000, giving businesses more options based on their cargo and route requirements.

The key is to match the charging setup with the truck's actual work cycle. If the vehicle returns home or to a depot every evening, overnight charging can handle most daily requirements. If the truck travels longer distances, access to a reliable public EV charging network becomes more important.

So, before buying an electric truck, don't ask only “How much range does it offer?” Also ask “Where will I charge it, how long will it take, and what will it cost me?”

That simple calculation can make your transition to an electric commercial vehicle much easier and more profitable.