{"id":5794,"date":"2022-01-17T14:14:03","date_gmt":"2022-01-17T14:14:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trackyourtruck.com\/?p=5794"},"modified":"2024-01-25T05:48:47","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T05:48:47","slug":"what-to-consider-before-switching-to-ev-fleets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trackyourtruck.com\/blog\/what-to-consider-before-switching-to-ev-fleets\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Consider Before Switching to EV Fleets"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Whether you run a national courier company or a small local delivery fleet of cargo vans, transitioning to an electric vehicle fleet makes good financial and environmental sense. However, switching your delivery or service vehicles over to electric ones takes a fair amount of planning. There are many factors to consider when switching to an EV fleet, from financial budgeting to route planning to implementing EV fleet vehicle tracking.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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This guide provides helpful information on what to consider when switching to an EV fleet. We\u2019ll also cover some of the important reasons why companies are making the switch, as well as how you can leverage fleet vehicle tracking technology to streamline your transition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Factors to Consider During EV Fleet Transition<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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When transitioning to an EV fleet, many of the considerations will apply broadly to every business. However, it\u2019s also important to consider your fleet\u2019s unique needs and how to tailor your transition strategy to your business specifically. Considerations such as how many vehicles you have, the distance you travel and the amount of urban and suburban driving you do on average will all vary between organizations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Here are some of the top things to consider during your EV fleet transition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Total Cost of Ownership<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The first thing for any business to do before switching to an EV fleet is to ensure it makes financial sense. Upgrading to EV vehicles can be a massive expense, so it\u2019s important to ensure your business will see the returns that make the investment worth it. The best way to calculate the financial viability of the upgrade is to compare the total cost of ownership (TCO) between conventional and electric fleet vehicles.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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At this point, the purchase price of electric vehicles is higher than comparable traditional vehicles. However, the total cost involved in owning and operating an electric vehicle may be lower. In addition to comparing purchase prices, it\u2019s important to factor in the necessary fuel and maintenance costs involved in a traditional fleet that will be significantly lower in an electric fleet. These immediate savings free up working capital to reinvest into the business, including hiring more drivers. It\u2019s also important to consider any tax savings and incentives that will reduce the TCO on EVs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Drive Distance<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Switching to a fleet of electric vehicles requires managers to consider the average and total driving distances a fleet vehicle undergoes daily, monthly or annually. It\u2019s important to determine your fleet\u2019s maximum drive distance to know how much mileage you can expect to put on your new EVs. Consider whether your drive distances fluctuate throughout the year and whether or not you plan to expand into new markets in the next 8-10 years, which is the typical lifespan of a fleet vehicle.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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In addition to knowing the maximum drive distance of a fleet vehicle, it\u2019s also important to consider the average short, mid and long-range distances that each vehicle is expected to drive. The term charge anxiety refers to an electric vehicle owner\u2019s continued apprehension about whether or not they\u2019ll be able to complete their drive before having an opportunity to recharge. Knowing your typical drive distance can help you plan your fleet needs accordingly and mitigate charge anxiety. Finding an electric vehicle that can cover more distance on a single charge can also help alleviate this concern.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Vehicle Idling Time<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A successful EV fleet transition is all about knowing your fleet\u2019s driving habits. It\u2019s not enough to know your fleet\u2019s maximum and average drive distance to ensure effective route planning that accounts for recharging. Fleet managers also need to have keen insight into driving behavior that can affect EVs more so than traditional vehicles. To ensure that your EVs are always charged whenever you need them, you must know about typical idling habits occurring during an average trip.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How long your vehicles tend to spend idling will determine how many and what type of charging stations you need and how to plan routes accordingly. Consider that idle time may fluctuate throughout the year according to weather. Every fleet will have different idle time behavior depending on the location, the population of the city, the typical daily congestion and the type of services you provide. Always use your own truck tracking data to help make an informed calculation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Type and Number of Charging Stations<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Once you have a firm idea of your EV fleet driving distances and habits, you\u2019ll be better prepared to implement an intelligent charging strategy. Adequate charging infrastructure and planning ensures your drivers have a fully charged vehicle or access to a nearby charging station as needed. Electric vehicle fleets have three different charging options for types of equipment, using different amounts of power. How fast of a charge each option provides is their main differentiator.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Below are your three electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) options to consider in EV fleet planning:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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