# Fleet Charging + Telematics: How to Integrate Charging Data with Fleet Management
Most fleet operators run two separate systems: one that tracks vehicles, routes, and drivers (telematics), and one that manages charging (the charger backend). They don't talk to each other. That means the fleet manager who assigns tomorrow's routes has no idea which trucks are at 90% charge and which are at 40%. The dispatcher can't prioritize charging for the vehicles that need it most.
Integrating these systems isn't a nice-to-have. It's how you stop wasting power on trucks that don't need it and ensure the ones that do are ready when the shift starts.
The Data That Matters
A fleet telematics platform typically knows: - Vehicle location and route history - State of charge (for EVs with telematics integration) - Driver behavior and efficiency - Maintenance schedules and fault codes - Tomorrow's planned routes and estimated mileage
A charger backend knows: - Charger status (available, in use, faulted) - Session data (energy delivered, duration, peak power) - Vehicle state of charge during charging - Power limitations and load management status
When these systems talk, the charging system can answer questions the telematics platform can't:
- Which vehicles need charging first based on tomorrow's route distance?
- Can a vehicle with 40% battery complete its assigned route, or does it need a mid-day top-up?
- Is a charger fault affecting vehicles that are scheduled for early-morning routes?
The Integration Architecture
There are three common patterns:
1. API-Level Integration
The charger backend exposes REST APIs. The telematics platform consumes them. This is the most common pattern and the easiest to implement.
The telematics platform pulls: - Real-time charger status - Active session data - Historical charging records
The charger backend pulls: - Tomorrow's planned routes and estimated energy requirements - Vehicle state of charge - Maintenance schedules
2. OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface)
OCPI is a protocol designed specifically for EV charging roaming — but it works for fleet integration too. It standardizes how charging data is exchanged between systems, including session data, tariffs, and CDR (Charge Detail Records).
OCPI is less common in fleet applications than OCPP, but it's gaining traction for multi-site fleet operators who need standardized data formats across different charger brands and backend platforms.
3. Direct OCPP Integration
Some fleet telematics platforms connect directly to chargers via OCPP, bypassing the charger manufacturer's backend entirely. This gives the fleet operator full control over charger behavior but requires substantial development effort and OCPP expertise. See our OCPP 1.6 vs 2.0.1 comparison for protocol details.
What Integration Actually Delivers
Automated charging prioritization. The system knows that Truck 14 has a 200-mile route tomorrow and is at 35% charge. It prioritizes Truck 14 over Truck 22, which has an 80-mile route and is at 60%. No human dispatcher needs to make that call.
Demand charge avoidance. The system knows which vehicles need how much energy by when. It schedules charging to stay within demand limits while ensuring all vehicles reach their target state of charge before departure. This is load management driven by operational data, not just power data.
Maintenance coordination. A charger reports a fault. The system checks which vehicles are scheduled to use that charger tonight, reassigns them to other ports, and flags the fault for maintenance. No driver shows up at 5 AM to find their assigned charger is down.
Route optimization feedback. Over time, the system learns which routes consume more energy than planned (hills, HVAC load, traffic) and adjusts charging requirements accordingly. A route that was estimated at 80 kWh but consistently uses 95 kWh gets a buffer.
Vendor Selection: What to Ask
When evaluating charger and telematics platforms, ask:
- Does your backend have a documented, public API? If the answer is "we have an API but you need to work with our integration team," that's a red flag. You want self-service API access with documentation.
2. Do you support OCPI or direct OCPP integration? If the answer is "our proprietary system handles everything," you're looking at vendor lock-in.
3. Can you ingest telematics data for charging prioritization? If the answer is "we don't offer that," you're buying a charger, not a fleet solution.
4. What telematics platforms have you integrated with? Ask for references. A charger manufacturer that's integrated with Geotab, Samsara, or Fleetio has done the hard work of making the APIs talk.
The Security Layer
Integrating charging and telematics creates a new attack surface. Best practices:
- Use TLS for all API communications
- Implement role-based access control on both systems
- Segment the charger network from corporate IT
- Audit API access logs monthly
- OCPP 2.0.1 includes enhanced security profiles with certificate-based authentication
Real-World Example: 100-Vehicle Logistics Fleet
A logistics operator with 100 electric delivery vans integrated their charger backend with their fleet telematics platform. Before integration:
- Dispatchers manually checked charger status each morning
- 15-20% of vehicles were undercharged for their assigned routes
- Peak demand averaged 850 kW with $12,750/month demand charges
After integration:
- Automated charging prioritization based on tomorrow's routes
- Undercharged vehicles dropped to under 3%
- Peak demand capped at 500 kW, demand charges reduced 41%
- Payback on integration costs: 6 months
For the full case study, see our logistics depot smart charging case study.
Getting Started
- Identify which telematics platform your fleet uses and its API capabilities.
- Talk to your charger vendor about their backend API and integration support.
- Start with a simple integration: pull charger status into the telematics dashboard.
- Add automated prioritization once the data flow is reliable.
- Iterate: the first integration will miss edge cases. Expect 6-12 months to fully tune.
Bottom Line
A charger is a dumb appliance without data. A fleet telematics platform is a routing tool without power intelligence. Connecting them turns charging from a fueling cost center into an operational capability — one that saves money on electricity, improves vehicle availability, and eliminates the morning scramble to figure out which trucks are actually ready to roll.
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FBK POWER's modular DC fast chargers support OCPP 1.6 and 2.0.1 with documented APIs for telematics integration. Contact our team to discuss your integration architecture, or request a quote for OCPP-compliant charging hardware.
References
- Open Charge Alliance. OCPP 2.0.1 Specification. https://www.openchargealliance.org
- EVRoaming Foundation. OCPI Protocol. https://evroaming.org
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