In the world of technological developments, the transport and engineering industries couldn’t afford to lag. One of their most impressive advancement in recent years is the innovation of electric vehicles (EVs). This development has given rise to the EV fleet, a group of electric cars owned by a company or organization.
As the term suggests, EV fleet management is nearly similar to traditional fleet management, only concentrating on electric vehicles. It may appear complex at first sight, but it isn’t. EV fleet management involves securing electric vehicles and monitoring their charging, operation, maintenance, and data management. Those being the main components of EV fleet management, below is a deeper look into each.
This blog will discuss EV fleet management alongside other related details.
Securing EVs
The first component of EV fleet management is securing the actual vehicles. You should choose electric vehicles that align with your business operations and needs as an organization. The factors to consider when acquiring an EV fleet include initial cost, maintenance cost, type of vehicle, and capacity for products or passengers. When you have enough EVs, you can proceed to the rest of the fleet management aspects.
Charging
The next component to look into regarding EV fleet management is charging. Electric vehicles can only survive through charging as they do not rely only on diesel or petrol. It’s the responsibility of the fleet managing department to ensure there are enough fleet charging solutions in whatever route they choose for the vehicles.
These charging locations should also comprise different charging powers, including level 1 (slow), level 2 (fast), and level 3 (DC fast charging).
Operation
Operation in EV fleet management refers to routes taken by the vehicles when ferrying different cargo or people. The organization should establish the best routes to minimize the risk of delayed deliveries, theft, or accidents. Route planning also involves evaluating the number of charging spots alongside the estimated need for re-charging for different EVs.
Whether a large or developing organization, you must manage your EV fleet well. You’ll have done enough due diligence for your businesses by following the above details. Even better, you can lease EV fleet management services from a professional third party for more desirable results.
EV Fleet Maintenance
The fourth component of EV fleet management is maintenance, which involves ensuring the vehicles are kept in reasonable condition throughout their lifespan. While EVs are generally low maintenance, organizations must still cater for the few repairs when needed and regular servicing. EV fleet management involves hiring experienced technicians for maintenance and ensuring they are constantly available.
Data Management
Data management is essential in any fleet management. It involves collecting adequate data regarding the vehicle’s performance, energy consumption, driver’s practices, and other reasonable information.
The EV fleet management department is also responsible for capturing real-time data regarding the vehicle through GPS trackers and other technologies. This allows adequate analysis and review of the EV fleet.
Other Components
Other factors for successful EV fleet management include insurance, risk management, and general safety. When you address various risks in their infancy, you will likely keep the EV fleet at its best performance.
You must also consider the fleet’s environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance to avoid getting in trouble with the law enforces. Strategic fleet expansion or replacement is also ideal for any organization.
Benefits of EV Fleet Management
Fleet management has proven beneficial to various organizations in different ways. Firstly, EV fleet management is cost-effective in the long run. An organization that embraces it for its EV fleet is saved on expenses related to various risks and constant repairs.
Additionally, EV fleet management enhances a business’s public image and reputation as customers have more confidence in its services and products. EV fleet management is also a strategic way of marketing your business to environmental conservation associations.
Businesses with a stable EV fleet management performance and history likely receive grants and incentives. It could be from the government and non-governmental institutions. Likewise, EV fleet management is a way of adhering to regulatory compliance in many provinces. Businesses with an effective management strategy for their EV fleet will likely undertake operations more smoothly without penalties or other inconveniences.
EVs that have undergone stable management will likely have a better resale value upon replacement. That translates into profits in the business, which wouldn’t be the case without a reasonable management strategy.
EV Fleet Management Challenges
Like any other, EV fleet management also encounters various challenges. The good thing is that they’re all manageable through different techniques. One of the challenges in EV fleet management is constantly changing regulations. The organization can address it by staying updated regarding any legal requirements.
EV driver incompetence can be managed by hiring qualified and experienced drivers alongside additional in-job training. You can address charging issues by choosing operation routes with adequate and active locations.
Maintenance and repair costs have also been problematic in many EV fleet-powered businesses. You can develop occasional maintenance schedules accompanied by adequate technicians to ensure every vehicle is attended to on time and satisfactorily when needed.
