How to develop a successful strategy for your transition towards EVs

To this day, it is not uncommon to see a good number of companies relying on assumptions, sometimes non-global and inaccurate information reports in order to manage their vehicle fleet. Faced with the booming electric vehicle market, some companies are inclined to start purchasing electric vehicles before having conducted a real and accurate analysis of their fleet’s needs.

Whether you are looking to meet specific GHG reduction targets, electrify your entire fleet or just one vehicle, there are many elements to consider. It’s not just a matter of finding a vehicle of equivalent size. You’ll need to consider your daily driving habits, operating costs and the charging equipment needed. You need a strategy that focuses on two things: choosing the right vehicle and setting up the charging infrastructure. 

With telematics data, you can base your decisions on real, accurate facts in a completely secure manner. AttriX is there to support you throughout this transition process, no matter what your goals are.

As mentioned, the planning stage is crucial, no matter how extensive your transition objectives are. Here are some questions to think about:

Without an accurate assessment of your current fleet’s range and duty cycles, it’s very difficult to determine whether an electric vehicle can replace a traditional vehicle. Using accurate telematics data to capture existing driving patterns can help establish a baseline for going electric, or not.

Geotab’s EVSA (EV Suitability Assessment) is a tool that automates the process and allows us to determine with past fleet data and metadata which vehicles are eligible for transition as EV and PHEV equipment becomes available and more efficient. This tool also provides reliable financial data to build a business case for EV replacement.

You’ve chosen the vehicles, now how will you charge them? Planning for the required charging infrastructure is one of the most challenging aspects of transitioning to an electric fleet. There are a number of factors you need to consider when installing the necessary charging equipment or electric vehicle power equipment. 

What is the optimal location of stations? If your daily route is shorter, it may make sense to have vehicles charged at your fleet depot or at your employees’ homes. 

How many stations do you need? The number of charging stations needed will vary depending on a number of factors. These include the total number of EVs, their range, and their individual operating cycles.

What type of stations do you need? There are three different types of charging equipment, distinguished by the amount of energy they use. Again, the choice of the most suitable vehicle and the specific energy needs of your fleet will be the determining factors, which is why it is important to use reliable and accurate data in your planning.

In short, fleet electrification may seem like a daunting task at first glance, but in reality, all you need is a solid planning and adoption strategy, which is within reach thanks to telematics data. What will you rely on to plan your transition?