EV and Mixed-Fuel Fleets – A Real World Transition to EV

by | Jun 16, 2021 | 0 comments

Vehicle depots are noisy and filled with exhaust fumes, but fleet managers can make improvements. Adding electric vehicles to your fleet reduces noise and pollution, and also lowers fuel costs. Vehicle inspections are easier. All of the data is on one convenient dashboard. With a glance, you can see if your fleet is charged and ready to go. Chances are, you can’t replace all of your gas-powered vehicles at once. You may even have valid reasons to keep a few in your fleet. You can start with an EV pilot program and gradually transition to a mixed-fuel fleet. If you are ready to transition to EV, here’s what you need to know.

EV Implementation for Fleets

As gas-powered vehicles begin to show signs of wear and tear, it’s more cost-effective to replace them with EVs. A mixed-fuel fleet can reduce fuel costs by 20%. It is a significant saving that helps to offset the cost of installing EV charging stations.

To ensure a smooth EV transition, you want to follow a few steps.

Did you know that with your reduced fuel costs of 20% combined with tax credits, rebates, and incentives you could be looking at an ROI of only 3 months? This is NOT a joke. To learn more about these rebates read our blog on the topic, then schedule a call with an Apogee Charging Solutions EV specialist. We have the experience necessary to get you the max amount of rebate money available to you and your fleet.

Talk to Fleet Drivers

With a pilot program, you only have a few EV vehicles. It hasn’t affected most of your drivers, but it will as you continue to transition away from fossil fuel.

Talk to the drivers that participated in the pilot program. Find out how they feel about the electric vehicles and have them talk to other drivers in the fleet. Educating drivers is crucial for a smooth transition to EV. You also want to reassure drivers their vehicles will be charged and ready for the next shift. Don’t forget to remind drivers to keep an eye on their range.

Tighten Up Operations

It’s easy to keep track of a few electric vehicles. You don’t need a spreadsheet to track charging times, routes, and other factors. As you transition to an EV fleet, you want to tighten up operations.

You want to create accounting and finance models, along with charging schedules. Factor in routes, elevation, and temperature. Once you have a set operational plan, you are ready to increase the number of EVs you have in your fleet.

Did you know that the Noodoe operating system comes with Intelligent Energy Management and Automatic Infrastructure Diagnostics? You can find out more about the Noodoe EV advantages here!

Each Vehicle and Route is a Separate Pilot

Not all routes are the same and this affects electric vehicles’ efficiency. Some routes are longer or more arduous requiring more power from the EV. These vehicles may need additional charging, and this is something to include in your plan.

Discuss EV Transition Requirements

You want to discuss the changes in your fleet with your partners. Assure them transitioning to EV won’t affect the business. Instead, it is helping your company grow and meet future changes. As you continue to transition to EV you want to keep a few factors in mind.

  • EVs are advancing to become more energy-efficient and have a longer range before needing a charge. You won’t have to shorten routes or worry about a lack of charging infrastructure on the roads.
  • Treat each route and vehicle as a mini EV pilot program. You’ll have a better understanding of how the EV performs and its charging requirements.
  • Your fleet will include vehicles with different ranges and charging times.

You also want to stay in contact with your energy supplier to ensure you have the power to keep your EV fleet fully charged.

Keep Setting Goals

EV implementation for fleets is an ongoing process. You set goals for the pilot program, and there’s no reason to stop. Keep setting new goals as the business progresses towards an EV fleet.

Keep learning from your experiences, not all parts of the pilot program will always run smoothly. Once you transition to EV, you won’t want to go back to fossil fuel. You are now meeting government requirements, reducing fuel costs, and show competitors you are a leader in your industry.

To speak with an Apogee Charging Solutions expert about EV charging stations, call 484-816-2076 or email [email protected]. You can also schedule a call by clicking the button below.

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