Fleet electrification is the process of gradually transitioning your fleet from traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles to EVs (electric vehicles). You’ll need a roadmap for this process because of the scale of the transition. You’ll also want to successfully manage the uncertainty of this change without taking an unnecessary hit to the pocket.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the end of 2024 showed that we can expect the number of EVs to triple by 2030. It’s a clear indication that there’s a demand for EVs in businesses to be met, and delivery & logistics companies are moving toward greener operations.
In this blog, we’ll help you tackle the unknown and put you at ease about taking the first step to electrification. Let us guide you through what electrification means, give you a practical breakdown of the step-by-step roadmap, and explain how Cartrack can help you take the electrification leap.
Fleet electrification refers to the process of transforming your fleet of ICE vehicles to EVs. This is typically a gradual process, taking up to years at a time, and usually resulting in a mixed fleet. Fleet electrification needs a roadmap because roadmaps are a meaningful, step-by-step process of what you need to do.
Have you ever written an essay for a school English exam and been asked to produce a mind map with it? An electrification roadmap is the same line of thinking. Your English essay’s mind map needed to show proof of structure, the direction your essay was going to take, and demonstrate to the exam marker that there was thought & effort put in before executing.
When you have a roadmap in place, there’s little room for surprise. Not all plans will be 100% foolproof, but it’s much better to operate from a place of confidence and preemptiveness than insecurity.
The steps needed for a successful transition to electrification include:
A successful approach includes these five key steps, as they tackle the preparation and execution of a smart transitional period.
Your first step is to assess your fleet. Get comfortable with where your business is and what your existing fleet looks like. Take stock of factors like vehicle utilisation, the kind of vehicles you’re using and what they’re being used for, as well as high-emission vehicles that could possibly be the first to replace. Most importantly, examine your expenses.
The next part of this step is asking yourself why. Why do you want to transform your fleet? Are you trying to keep up with trends and what’s popular? Are you noticing a change in the seriousness of regulatory and compliance matters? Is there pressure from your clients to go green? This is a pivotal step to take, so be honest about the ‘why’.
Finally, weigh up the pros and cons. See what will and won’t work for your fleet, if you’re financially capable of making the transition, and whether this change will be a benefit to both you and your clients/customers.
Perfect; you’ve tackled the pre-planning and highlighted the intentions of your transition. Now it’s time to think about what the electrification process would actually look like. First, research, research, research! Support your plan by looking at data and insights from other companies that have already put electrification into action. Check out factors like costs, distance travelled, and carbon emissions.
Next, understand that this is going to be a gradual and phased approach. Be patient and understand that the delivery of EV vehicles can easily take months, maybe even years. Choosing the phased approach gives you time to stick with your financial timeline while also carefully going along with your operational and compliance objectives.
This also ensures a strong and strategic electrified move that has room for steady growth.
We previously mentioned vehicle utilisation. You could examine which vehicles are reaching the end of their lifespan or have the potential to be sold. Those vehicles will be the first to get replaced. Most importantly, look into purchasing options. Aim to buy EVs locally, especially if there’s a chance the dealership has in-house knowledge and assistance for your fleet.
EVs come with their own unique sets of challenges, which is why matters must be clear for you and your drivers. Your concern is no longer petrol and fuel cards, but charging stations and potentially charging cards (which help you top up and pay for your vehicle’s electricity). You’ll have to install chargers on the work premises, especially because stations are relatively limited.
Consider installing solar panels as a sustainable way to keep chargers on the work premises powered. Compare the types of chargers available; remember that what’s cheapest isn’t always the best option. Above price, evaluate charging time (and so downtime) and the impact it has on vehicle batteries and their degradation rate.
Don’t forget about software! Yes, the hardware is important, but it’s the software that helps you effectively manage your fleet and all the information that’s put out by the devices. Your lifeline is powerful fleet management software (FMS), like our FleetWeb. Our FMS helps you navigate the unique challenges that EVs face, like range anxiety, charging schedules, and predictive maintenance.
If you’re a manager, talk to your company’s supervisor or boss. The higher-ups need to know what you’ve been planning. Keep detailed records of all the research you’ve done, and consider presenting it to them in an easy and comprehensible way so that they feel just as confident as you do.
Continuing from step 3’s point about new infrastructure and on-site charging stations, develop and adjust policies that accommodate these new challenges. Explain to your drivers why this step has been taken and what it means for the business. Finally, ensure that drivers are caught up on new regulations and necessary training, and make ongoing training available.
Any business change demands close monitoring. Keep an eye on what electrification has done for your fleet, from mileage and charging patterns to carbon emissions. Stay in touch with your dealership to get professional tips on any concerns or questions you may have. With all this information, you can potentially continue to plan a wider electrification adoption strategy.
Don’t leave your drivers out of the bigger picture. Chat to your drivers and get feedback on how they’re experiencing operating EVs. This will help your drivers feel included and their voices heard amidst the big-scale changes taking place.
Cartrack can make your electrification process easier by introducing telematics under a smooth, seamless FMS. With telematics, you ensure your battery remains carefully monitored and that running costs are lowered. You have access to your fleet’s trip histories, which is key to optimising routes and keeping batteries in good shape. This reduces energy and saves on expenses.
We also help ease your stress regarding range anxiety. Our system not only helps manage and plan better routes, but also monitors vehicle batteries in real time and quickly detects charging stations along the way. Our predictive maintenance via vehicle analytics helps avoid downtime, giving you information on battery health, brake health, and tyre conditions.
Overall, we offer a platform that works just as smoothly for EVs as it does for ICE vehicles. This makes the transition and change even easier, because you won’t have to worry about using multiple platforms. We also have all the tools necessary to keep your new mixed fleet in tip-top shape, with a dedicated team ready to answer any questions along the way.
Fleet electrification is about taking a slow and steady approach, which is why roadmaps are essential for your complete confidence. If you have a solid plan and transparent communication, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding in your electrifying efforts.
Cartrack gets you the most out of your electrification process. We support your management of changes, progress, and challenges, while also helping you meet your sustainability goals. We’re here to guide you to a greener, cost-saving fleet that’s secure for the future.
Willing to take the leap and make a greener change to your fleet? Reach out to any of our Cartrack professionals and get complete guidance on your electrification process.
Are you looking to transform and greenify your fleet? Explore Cartrack’s fleet electrification roadmap and get a step-by-step breakdown for your business.
