EMBRACING EVs
Meet the challenges, reap the rewards
EMBRACING EVs
Meet the challenges, reap the rewards
Mike Nakrani, CEO of VEV, outlines the key operational changes that fleet managers need to stay ahead of as they transition to EVs
Despite the Government’s roll-back on the ICE ban deadline, the fleet sector has been doing its part to accelerate the shift to electrification. New electric car uptake in the UK saw its 41st consecutive month of growth in September with an 18.9% increase in sales compared to September 2022, and fleet EV sales rising by 50.6% year-on-year1. Similarly encouraging growth has been witnessed in the light commercial vehicle sector, too. Strong purchase incentives and running-cost benefits have helped energise battery-electric van deliveries, increasing by 85.9% year-on-year2.
Whether it’s an electric car or van, there is more choice out there than ever – and the vehicles themselves are going further on a charge. Perhaps most importantly for fleets, the capability of electrically powered vehicles to deliver competitive TCO performance is now being recognised, with fleet operators reaping the future rewards.
However, the speed at which the shift to electrification is taking place is opening the door to new challenges that fleet managers will have to meet. The days when energy management meant managing a fuel card scheme are waning. Electric fleets necessitate more intricate energy management and sources of energy. There are also issues around vehicles’ energy utilisation, how and when they are charged and when they are deployed. All of these factors are changing the nature of fleet operations and make cost-effective EV deployment more strategic in its planning and execution.
In addition, the technology-driven nature of electric fleet management demands continuous monitoring of operations data on vehicles, chargers and energy. Fleet managers must leverage their data in the correct way to optimise charging patterns and vehicle downtime and ensure fleet resilience – vehicles have to complete their journeys, on time. Such a technically demanding deployment means that fleet management teams will need upskilling to manage their EV fleets through data platforms that provide real-time insight into energy supply and usage, vehicle charge state and charging infrastructure.
Prepare for the transition
In order to best prepare for the transition in the first place, fleet managers need to have a clear picture of the readiness of vehicles and their routes for making the switch to electric power. Telematics data is instrumental here – and will help identify the optimum targets for immediate and longer-term transition. This approach will also support businesses in easing the burden of the transition, allowing fleet managers to efficiently plan and execute it over a more manageable period of time.
The next step is to source the electric vehicles and build the correct level of charging infrastructure for the fleet’s needs. Assuming one charger for each vehicle is unnecessary, cost-inefficient and surprisingly common; we frequently engage with fleets where we see up to 20% overspend in infrastructure. Carefully analysing a fleet’s specific requirements – and planning charging times and downtime for specific vehicles and journeys, will allow fleets to specify the optimum number and type of chargers and avoid unnecessary upfront – and sustained – costs.
The adjustments that need to be made also extend beyond fleet managers’ skillset, toolkit and workflows; drivers themselves can – and must – also adapt to the new generation of electric fleet vehicles. When training is conducted for EV operation, drivers can increase driving range by up to 20% – gains that will have a huge impact on both operational management and cost-efficiency.
Given the host of regulatory requirements on the horizon, it is imperative that fleets are fully optimised to meet the challenges that come with the transition to e-mobility. However, while these operational hurdles must be addressed, the benefits available to fleet managers during – and after – the transition are immense. The operational changes they make will enable them to gain a competitive edge in what promises to be an exciting future for the fleet sector.
REFERENCES 1 The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), September new car market grows but motorist support needed to reverse falling private consumer EV demand, October 2023. 2 The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Nine months of growth for Britain’s new van market but chargepoint plan still needed, October 2023.
