3 Ways to Prep Your Fleet Operation for Electric Vehicles
Government and private fleets alike are feeling the pressure to cut emissions and adapt to using more electric vehicles (EVs).
There are environmental advantages to using EVs. And, as electric vehicles become more prevalent it could make sense for some operations to replace aging vehicles with EVs. However, there are steps fleet operations need to take to properly prepare for the changeover.
Read below why determining route lengths, establishing charging stations and estimating costs are important to get your fleet operation ready for electric vehicles.
Determine the Route Length for EVs
Before fleets can purchase electric vehicles, they need to determine what types of routes the vehicles will travel. Knowing the distance requirements will help operations decide what type of battery the vehicles need. For example, long-distance routes will require electric vehicles with a much longer battery life than short-range routes. For operations who need to travel long distances regularly, Geotab suggests they also consider adding plug-in hybrids.
Develop a Plan for Charging the Vehicles
Fleet operations need to determine how to keep electric vehicles charged. Whereas fuel-powered vehicles can pull into the nearest fueling station, EVs need pre-determined charging stations to ensure they have enough energy to complete a route. Fleet operations need to figure out how many charging stations they need to have at their facility to properly charge all electric vehicles. To ensure EVs have enough battery power to complete a route, each vehicle should start its route with a fully charged battery each day. Geotab suggests that fleets with just a few EVs can start by using wall outlets to charge vehicles, but a dedicated charging infrastructure could be needed as the fleet grows.
Estimate the Costs
As is the case when operations replace any vehicle, costs will need to be considered when selecting electric vehicles. With EVs, operations need to look beyond the initial price tag. While the initial price of an electric vehicle may be higher than a fuel-operated vehicle, EVs can produce long-term cost savings. Operations will spend less in fuel with EVs. However, before making a purchase, operations need to review their budget and determine the total cost of ownership of the vehicles the EVs are replacing. This will help operations better understand the budget impact – both short- and long-term.
To learn how RTA Fleet Management Software can help your operation keep all vehicle information organized and in one place, contact us today to schedule a free demo.