ARTICLE: What to consider when switching to an electric fleet

Most fleets have a mixture of drivers who drive for work and/or leisure. Those who select their vehicle for their lifestyle make their decision based on their personal requirements. These drivers will find that an EV alternative is generally available and any business mileage is generally lower, meaning that they face less challenges when making the switch.

Those who drive for work need to consider business mileage, the need to carry tools, point of sale (POS) materials, etc. They also need to think about charging capability and mileage, which can mean that an EV isn’t suitable for all drivers at this moment in time. In some instances, it may also be necessary to review how some vehicles are used, such as sales territory reorganisation for those with higher mileages.

For the smoothest transition from a petrol or diesel car to an EV, having good access to convenient charging is highly desirable. This could be workplace or home charging for those drivers selecting an EV.

Home charging is always preferred, especially as there is the convenience of plugging in and charging overnight. There’s also a growing number of EV tariffs available from energy suppliers offering cheaper rates overnight.

Workplace charging is also beneficial for office workers as it provides them with a place to charge where their vehicle has its biggest dwell time. This is also particularly handy for those drivers that may not be able to charge from home.

The majority of fast-charging locations now work on a tap-to-pay basis, making card or smart device payments simple and removing the need to register for a dedicated app – even if doing so can result in lower costs.

The current average range of EVs is over 200 miles. However, when embarking on longer journeys beyond the range of the electric car, more route planning will be required over a petrol or diesel car. The public charging infrastructure is growing, especially with the rise in hubs that are being built. These hubs offer multiple charging bays, instead of the one or two available at many other charging locations.

While the likes of Google Maps will list charge points and help with options when needed, apps and websites, such as Zap-Map, offer a very comprehensive charge point listing with maps and charge point details, real-time information and the ability to tailor your journey to a specific car. You can also filter charge points by type (connector, network provider, etc.), location and charge speed, which is extremely useful when you need a quick charge en route.

The most important thing to remember is that public charging is similar to motorway fuelling for a petrol or diesel vehicle. Ideally, you’d only charge up enough to complete your journey - often a 20-minute stop is more than enough.

An additional factor to consider when selecting an electric car is the maximum speed at which the car can charge.

This number is given in kW and is typically between 100kW and 350kW. The higher the number, the quicker the vehicle can take energy on board.

Although a vehicle may state that it has a high charge rate, its ability to take that charge is based on many factors.

Firstly, the state of charge (SoC). A battery that’s running low will have the ability to charge quicker than one that’s three quarters full. Other factors such as ambient temperature, number of vehicles charging and car battery temperature can also affect charging rates.

Just like when you charge your mobile phone, if you put it on charge when the battery is low, it charges really quickly and you will often have enough charge within a few minutes, however a full charge will take longer to complete.

The graph below gives an example of the charging curve of a small selection of popular EVs on fleet. Notably, any charging when the vehicle is over 80% SoC is much slower than charging at 20%.

Range will of course also be a factor. How far do you need to travel between charges? Statistics show that the average journey is around 100 miles and the average range of EVs is currently just over 200 miles.

Just like the miles per gallon (MPG) on a petrol or diesel car, don’t rely completely on the official Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) range figures published by car manufacturers. Because these are calculated in lab conditions, they tend to be higher than the real-world range. An excellent source of independent real-world range figures can be found at www.ev-database.org, as well as some well-known car review websites, such as www.autocar.co.uk.

Remember too, that just like your petrol and diesel car, range will vary according to temperature and a few other factors, such as the number of passengers, any luggage you’re carrying and if you’re towing or using a roof box.

The next question concerns the driver’s normal driving routes and your lifestyle. If their daily mileage is less than 100 (or even 150) miles, and they have good access to charging, there are very few electric cars that won’t be able to do this. However, even if most journeys are less than this distance, the chances are that occasional travel further afield will be needed, such as for holidays. For these trips, the public charging network will come into play. With the rise of country stores and destinations that are installing charging facilities, charging while stopped is becoming much more easily available.

As with any other car choice, think about the kind of car required for both work and leisure. Do your drivers need a big boot, to tow (or even just fit a tow bar for a bike rack) or to have roof bars? What kind of car do they feel happiest driving; a small hatchback, an estate or a larger SUV?

These points are important because not all EVs can have a tow bar fitted and may have a towing weight lower than you’d expect. Roof bars may also have a lower weight limit than the equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle.

If you currently operate a restricted choice list, it might be time to review this to include newer manufacturers, enhancing the vehicle options available to your drivers.

By considering all the points mentioned above, you’ll be sure to have a smooth transition to electric.