Inside Siemens Depot360: Smarter EV Charging Support for Fleets

At the 2025 ACT Expo, ChargedEVs.com spoke with Alan White, Head of Emerging Transportation Platforms at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, about the company’s Depot360 Charging-as-a-Service platform—an AI-driven solution designed to support commercial fleet operators through the complexities of electrification. Developed to unify siloed systems like telematics, routing, charging, and energy pricing, Depot360 provides a centralized software and service layer that helps anticipate and resolve operational inefficiencies before they impact performance. White emphasized that the platform was built with AI integration from the start to address the unique challenges fleet operators face when moving to electric vehicles. Rather than asking customers to learn new software, Siemens focuses on enabling operators to do what they know best—managing vehicles—while the backend technology handles charging schedules, energy costs, and system diagnostics. Depot360 supports fleet managers by turning complex data into actionable insights without requiring them to become software experts. Depot360 also addresses scalability, making it relevant for small and large fleets alike. In North America, the majority of commercial fleets consist of five or fewer vehicles. To serve this broad market, Siemens works with distributors familiar with smaller operators, offering solutions that are appropriately sized and cost-effective. For larger fleets, such as municipal transit or last-mile delivery, Depot360 provides managed services and 99% uptime SLAs, helping reduce the risks associated with independent charger ownership or unintegrated software. A core feature of Depot360 is its ability to manage energy costs. Siemens leverages real-time and day-ahead energy price signals to schedule charging in a way that reduces energy spend. Customers have seen cost reductions in the 20% to 40% range, depending on usage patterns. While long-term possibilities like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration are on the roadmap, the platform focuses on immediate, measurable benefits—starting with correct charger connection, smart power modulation, and optimization through machine learning. The platform’s support infrastructure is another key advantage. Depot360 includes a 24/7 network operations center (NOC) staffed by specialists who monitor systems, address issues remotely, and coordinate local service providers for on-site support when needed. In some cases, this means identifying and resolving charging problems at off-hours—reducing downtime and preventing disruptions to fleet schedules. Predictive maintenance, powered by causal data analysis, further strengthens reliability by identifying patterns that indicate potential failures before they occur. Siemens is also addressing the growing need for at-home charging reimbursement. Many fleet drivers take vehicles home, and Depot360 now integrates utility tariffs and telematics to provide accurate and timely reimbursement. This complements depot and workplace charging management, allowing Siemens to offer a full-spectrum solution. White emphasized that while sustainability is a priority, economic viability is essential. Depot360 aims to deliver both, helping fleets reduce emissions while maintaining reliable, cost-effective operations. Learn more at https://www.siemens.com/global/en/pro...