To date, it is not uncommon to still see a large number of companies relying on assumptions and information reports that are sometimes neither comprehensive nor accurate to manage their vehicle fleets. With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, some will be inclined to begin purchasing electric vehicles before even 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 vehicle fleet or just a single vehicle, there are many elements to consider. It’s not simply a matter of finding a vehicle of equivalent size. You will need to take into account your daily driving habits, operating costs and the required charging equipment. You need a strategy that focuses on two things: choosing the right vehicle and putting charging infrastructure in place.
With telematics data you can base your decisions on real, precise facts — and do so in a fully secure way. AttriX is here to support you throughout this transition process, regardless of your objectives.
Telematics big data in selecting your vehicle
As mentioned, the planning stage is crucial no matter the scope of your transition objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- How many kilometers do you drive each year? Each day?
- What are the current operating costs of the vehicle?
- Where are they located, and for how long?
Without an accurate assessment of the range and duty cycles of your current fleet, it is very difficult to determine whether an electric vehicle can replace a traditional vehicle. Using precise telematics data to capture existing driving profiles can help establish a baseline for switching to electric—or not.
TheEVSA (The Electric Conversion Audit) from Geotabis a tool that automates the process and allows us to determine, using a fleet’s historical data and metadata, which vehicles are eligible for transition as EV and PHEV models become available and more efficient. This tool also provides reliable financial data to develop a cost-effectiveness analysis for replacing vehicles with EVs.
Charging infrastructure planning: several factors to consider
You’ve chosen the vehicles — now how will you charge them? Planning the required charging infrastructure is one of the most challenging aspects of transitioning to an electric fleet. You must consider a number of factors when installing the necessary charging equipment or power supply equipment forelectric vehicles.
What is the optimal location for the stations? If your daily route is shorter, it may be sensible to have the vehicles charged at your fleet depot or at your employees’ homes.
How many stations do you need? The number of charging points required varies depending on a number of factors. These include the total number of EVs, their duty cycles and their individual range.
What type of stations do you need? There are three types of charging equipment, which are distinguished by the amount of power they use. Again, choosing the most suitable vehicle and the specific energy needs of your fleet will be determining factors, hence the importance of relying on accurate, reliable data in your planning.
In short, electrifying a fleet may seem like an intimidating task at first glance, but in reality all you need is solid planning and an adoption strategy, which are within reach thanks to telematics data. What will you base your transition planning on?
