Going Electric: The Transition to EVs In Fleet Operations

As one of the most promising solutions to sustainability in the transport sector, businesses are increasingly turning to EVs to lower their carbon footprint and operational expenses. With rising popularity across the globe, the focus is shifting to fleet management and how EVs can play a role in revolutionising sustainability in heavy trucking vehicles.  

EVs provide a number of advantages, including cheaper fuel and maintenance costs, increased efficiency, and a favorable brand image. From small fleets to major commercial enterprises, these benefits can boost the efficiency and reliability of fleet operations across various industries.

The future of fleet management depends on sustainability and what commercial fleets can do to become more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient.

Are We Ready for EVs?

Already, a number of countries are implementing measures to adopt EVs more widely and phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By phasing out the need for diesel or petrol, vehicles will no longer rely on fossil fuels to operate in the future. This creates better sustainability for not only the transport industry but the planet as a whole. Despite this promising outlook, however, there are several factors that could hold EVs back from becoming the ultimate sustainability solution.

Charging Stations

One of the key concerns with EVs is the accessibility and availability of charging stations. If there are too few charging stations, energy suppliers cannot meet the demand for power. On the other hand, high demand for power can strain the energy grid and cause further efficiency issues. Charging speed is also a point of concern, as most consumers want fast charging to minimise downtime. Moreover, charging stations require maintenance to ensure prolonged safety and reliability.

Heavy-Duty Vehicles

EV cars, scooters, vans, and buses are available in many regions around the world, but heavy-duty vans and trucks are yet to see a viable EV solution that can meet the necessary requirements to operate efficiently. Though heavy-duty EVs are expected to rise with the push for sustainability, this means that some fleets will not be able to make the transition for a while yet. Fortunately, there are alternative solutions for those looking to bolster their sustainability efforts.

Alternative Solutions for Fleet Sustainability

Though EVs are at the top of the list for sustainability in the transport sector, several other sustainable options are developing as alternatives.

E-fuels

E-fuels are designed to be compatible with existing ICE vehicles, which means they can be used in conventional petrol or diesel engines without requiring significant changes to the vehicle's engine or fueling infrastructure. As a result, e-fuels may be a viable option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector because they have the potential to reduce carbon emissions when compared to conventional fossil fuels. 

However, e-fuels are still in the early stages of development and are currently more expensive to produce than traditional fossil fuels. Ongoing efforts aim to optimise the production processes, reduce costs, and improve the sustainability of e-fuels.

Zero-Emission Vehicles

Zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) are those that emit no greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants while in operation. These vehicles are powered by non-fossil fuel technologies and are intended to reduce or eliminate emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change.

One example is Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs), which use hydrogen as a fuel to generate electricity in a fuel cell via a chemical reaction. The electricity produced is used to power an electric motor, emitting no harmful emissions and producing only water vapor as a byproduct.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

PHEVs combine an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. These vehicles can be charged by plugging them into an external power source, allowing them to go a limited distance on electricity before converting to an internal combustion engine for longer trips. When compared to ordinary hybrid vehicles, PHEVs often have greater battery capacities, allowing for longer all-electric driving ranges.

The Role of Telematics

As EV popularity rises and governments around the world push for sustainable development, telematics ensures that fleet management remains safe, reliable, and efficient. Advanced telematics solutions are designed to be adaptable and customisable, making the transition to EVs smoother and more streamlined.

In addition to existing benefits such as driver and journey monitoring, vehicle tracking, and data analysis, telematics can optimise EVs by monitoring battery levels, identifying charging stations, and developing the most energy-efficient routes for minimal downtime while charging. 

These insights can help optimise EV performance, usage, and charging, resulting in increased efficiency, lower costs, and better environmental sustainability.

Visit MiX by Powerfleet to learn more about our advanced vehicle telemetry.