Allstar tackles fleet charging infrastructure gap with new commercial payment network

Allstar, a Corpay company, has launched the Allstar Commercial Charging Payment Network, a new charging proposition built specifically for the operational demands of HGV and LCV fleets.

The launch comes as businesses continue to face growing pressure around fleet electrification whilst charging infrastructure has been slow to scale and operating costs. Allstar cites research from the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) as evidence of the scale of the challenge facing operators, with 83 per cent agreeing that investment in charging infrastructure is essential for the transition to zero-emission HGVs, while infrastructure availability remains one of the biggest barriers to adoption.

The proposition is an integrated charging ecosystem for commercial vehicles, combining access to public and semi-private charging infrastructure through a single integrated payment solution. It is designed to address one of the biggest barriers to commercial fleet electrification, says Allstar: the gap between public charging infrastructure that was not built for larger vehicles and private depot infrastructure that remains costly and complex to scale.

“Unlike the public charging network for cars or vans, the Allstar Commercial Charging Payment Network has been designed around the day-to-day realities of commercial fleet operations,” said the company.

“Infrastructure partners have been selected for site suitability, including pull-through bays, wide turning spaces and high-power charging capable of supporting larger battery systems, including Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS).

“Sites are positioned along key logistics corridors to support planned routes and shift patterns, while selected semi-private locations can be pre-booked at selected sites to help reduce queuing, route deviation and operational disruption. For operators who have been told that building dedicated depot infrastructure is the only long-term answer, the semi-private access model offers a practical alternative: bookable sites, controlled-access charging at partner sites, without the capital cost and complexity of developing their own charging estate.”

The proposition combines two complementary access models: an open-access public network including partners such as Gridserve Electric Freightway Fleete and InstaVolt, alongside a controlled-access semi-private network of locations including partners such as Voltempo and First Charge, restricted to approved fleet users.

By combining charging access, payment, invoicing and fleet controls through a single platform, Allstar says it aims to help operators simplify what has become an increasingly fragmented commercial charging landscape.

Tom Rowlands, managing director of Global EV Solutions at Corpay, including UK brand Allstar, said: “Commercial fleets do not just need access to charging but they need infrastructure that fits around the realities of running a fleet. For many operators, the choice has been between public charging infrastructure that is not designed for larger commercial vehicles, or the significant investment needed to build dedicated depot infrastructure. We are giving fleets another option: scalable charging access designed around operational requirements, without the cost and complexity of building and managing their own charging estate.”

Toby Poston, chief executive at BVRLA, added: “Our latest HGV Outlook report shows that infrastructure availability remains one of the most significant barriers to zero-emission HGV adoption. Operators consistently tell us they need greater certainty around charging availability, infrastructure investment and practical deployment pathways if they are to transition with confidence. Expanding access to suitable charging infrastructure will be an important part of supporting that journey.”

With Allstar, all charging activity is accessed and paid for through a single Chargepass card, removing the need for multiple apps, cards or payment methods. Transactions are consolidated into a single HMRC-compliant invoice alongside existing fleet products on account, with full visibility of charging available through Allstar Online.

At Allstar’s commercial network sites, charging costs are often lower than standard public charging, says the firm, helping operators reduce running costs while improving charging reliability.

Future developments in Allstar Online will enable Fleet Managers to disable selected charging networks which will be reflected in the award-winning Allstar Co-Pilot app for drivers.

The commercial network proposition is designed to support businesses at every stage of fleet electrification, from operators piloting their first electric HGVs through to fleets scaling LCV operations across national routes, without requiring major upfront investment in charging infrastructure.

More information is available at the Allstar website.