Are you thinking about switching at least some of your fleet to electric vehicles? EVs can save your company money while helping make the environment a better place to live. Discover key considerations for electrifying your fleet.
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Fleet Electrification: The Wave of the Future
Back in 2020, only about 1 percent of the nation’s commercial fleet vehicles were EVs. However, current projections show this number will grow to 12 percent by 2030.
It’s time to get a jump on your competitors. Learn why and how to electrify your fleet – starting today.
First, Learn About the Advantages of an EV Fleet
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Selling the C-suite on a new idea is always prudent. It pays to do some background research on the advantages electric commercial vehicles offer.
- EV fleet vehicles drive employee enthusiasm. Since discomfort in the driver’s seat can distract your drivers, it pays to give them the smoothest ride possible. EVs do just that. For example, a Schneider National driver who switched to an EV pointed out the vehicle’s “lightness and smoothness,” comparing its handling capacity to a dancer’s agility.
- EV fleets cost less to operate. As the Energy.gov website points out, light-duty commercial EVs average only about 3 cents per mile for both operation and maintenance. Compare that to the IRS’ mileage rate of 67 cents per mile, drawn from the needs of diesel- and gas-powered vehicles.
- Commercial EVs lower your need for maintenance. It’s not only maintenance costs that drop when you go electric, Energy.gov says. Less frequent breakdowns mean more time on the road generating revenue.
Next, Look at Local Charging Availability
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Charging commercial EVs – including heavy-duty trucks – will become more available when megawatt EV charging goes mainstream. However, you have to start with what EV charging infrastructure exists in your community today.
If you need to install charging facilities in your garage (and we recommend you do), be sure to factor that cost into that of your overall transition. If yours is a smaller company, you can always use local charging facilities at first. Then, you can purchase your own EV chargers as your finances allow.
Set Goals for Your Transition to an EV Fleet
Look at your budget and your corporate sustainability goals, as fleet vehicle supplier Mike Albert recommends. Factor in the savings over time switching to EVs will be per vehicle.
Next, decide how many you can purchase in year 1, and set goals for increased adoption in future years. Determine if that estimate aligns with your company’s environmental policy.
Research various brands and models, just as you would with your company’s gas- or diesel-powered fleet vehicles. Since range is still a concern, be sure to look at the destinations your drivers will need to go to. Then, narrow down your list to only those that meet your range requirements.
Factor In Tax Breaks, Grants, and Other Incentives
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Federal, state, and local governments – as well as local power companies — often provide incentives to individuals and businesses that purchase EVs. Whether it’s tax credits, supportive funding for EV charging infrastructure, or grants, these perks can help ease your business’s financial burden as you transition to EVs.
Ask Your Local Power Company About Money-Saving Programs
Some power companies offer discounts to individuals and businesses for charging their vehicles during off-peak hours. These programs can save you plenty of money, fueling your fleet even when your business is closed for the day.
Other companies also allow customers to feed electricity back into the power grid through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programs. Generally, these companies pay V2G users for using their vehicles to supplement the grid either by direct deposit or deep discounts.
In addition, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) charging allows you to use your commercial EVs to power your office and other buildings during power outages. You can also use them to power smaller electric vehicles, such as golf carts or mowers, that you might use for landscaping your property or showing guests around your facility.
Head Off Challenges Before You Deploy
Since commercial EVs are just getting a foothold in the transportation space, you might face some challenges as you begin to electrify your commercial fleet. These challenges can include:
- Charging station deserts: Some areas your vehicles will need to travel through lack the infrastructure to fuel them. Find alternate routes that can accommodate your fleet.
- Weather variance issues: Extremely cold weather can cause EV batteries to lose their charge faster than usual, reducing their range by as much as half. You’ll need to inform your drivers to keep track of weather predictions so that they can plan for stopping more often than usual. Intense heat can do nearly the same, cutting range back by nearly 30 percent.
- Rising inflation: As the Mike Albert post observes, the cost of replacing EV batteries has soared over the past few years. Be sure to budget enough money to purchase battery replacements so you won’t be short when your vehicles’ batteries are near the end of their useful life.
Teach Your Drivers to Get the Most Out of Your Investment
Although driving an electric vehicle won’t require your drivers to completely relearn the driving process, there are some differences. Getting used to the quiet in the cab might be an issue, as will be the fueling process.
Provide them with apps that help them find charging stations that cater to commercial EVs. Light-duty commercial vehicles can usually charge at regular EV charging stations. However, not all charging stations can accommodate larger vehicles, so empower your drivers with the information they need to keep them fueled and on the road.
Finally, Inform Yourself About the Latest Developments in Fleet Electrification
At the EV Charging Summit, we’ve devoted an entire series of sessions and panels to fleet electrification. Mark your calendar with the date — and register for your spot today!
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