In today’s world, electromobility and sustainability are central topics in corporate fleet management. Fleet managers are faced with the exciting task of fundamentally rethinking existing processes and finding sensible solutions for an electric vehicle fleet. The focus is not only on the (re)organization of the fleet, but also on the expansion of the fleet manager’s area of responsibility. In this blog post, we would like to provide an outlook on the tasks and challenges that fleet managers will face in the course of e-mobility. Our focus is on the importance of intelligent software solutions that support the transformation in fleet management and effectively relieve the fleet manager in his decisions and planning.
Electromobility brings changes for fleet managers
The emergence of larger volumes of data requires comprehensive analysis, infrastructures need to be partially or even completely rebuilt, and increasing process automation is shaping the transformation of fleet management. Here, it is crucial that the fleet manager actively participates in shaping this change in order to make the e-mobility project a success.
In the past, tasks and processes could be managed with the help of Excel spreadsheets. But today they have become so complex and multi-layered that intelligent software support is indispensable for managing an e-fleet in a cost-efficient and resource-saving way. However, the changes brought about by electromobility also offer numerous opportunities. An electric vehicle fleet can not only reduce CO2 emissions and thus contribute to the sustainability of the company, but also reduce operating costs in the long term. The integration of a well-designed charging infrastructure makes it possible to make optimal use of electric vehicles and increase their efficiency.
New tasks for the fleet manager for the successful integration of electromobility
For the first time, more e-vehicles than diesel were registered in the EU in June 2023. This gives electric cars a market share of 15.1 percent, compared with 13.4 percent for vehicles with diesel engines. The increasing importance of e-mobility in today’s world requires a strategic approach to fleet management. It is not just a matter of simply replacing conventional vehicles with electric vehicles, but also of rethinking the entire fleet strategy after a thorough fleet analysis. The focus is on both ecological and economic aspects.
How can e-mobility be implemented in my fleet in a sensible and most cost-efficient way? How many vehicles will I need in the fleet in the future? Will the fleet consist of 100 percent electric vehicles or will company cars with combustion engines still be used? What about the charging infrastructure, what needs to be considered here? These and other questions occupy the minds of every fleet manager who deals in depth with electromobility in the fleet. Through a strategic approach, consideration of ecological and economic factors, and the use of modern technologies, fleet managers can successfully shape the change and take full advantage of the benefits of electromobility.
Selection and number of required and suitable e-vehicles
The selection and number of suitable e-vehicles in the fleet are decisive factors for success in the field of electromobility. Fleet managers face these important questions: How many internal combustion vehicles will be replaced by electric vehicles? Is a complete switch to e-mobility the best option?
A thorough analysis of previous journeys and a vehicle demand forecast help in the decision-making process and enable the vehicles to be procured in line with demand and in a cost-effective manner. Analysis of trip history serves as a starting point for planning the conversion, taking into account both range requirements and charging capacities.
Based on the vehicle demand forecast, the fleet manager determines how many electric vehicles are needed and which combustion vehicles should be replaced by them. Choosing the right electric vehicles is equally important, as different models can meet different requirements. A tailored vehicle selection and a needs-based number of electric vehicles enable companies to make the most of the benefits of electromobility and achieve their sustainability goals.
Cost-efficient use of electric vehicles in the fleet
There are clever concepts for cost-effectively exploiting the advantages of electric vehicles in the fleet. This is because electromobility pays for itself more quickly if the vehicles are used frequently. Short, inner-city routes in particular are ideal for electric cars, as they can demonstrate their high efficiency and environmental friendliness here.
To maximize the frequency of use of electric vehicles and thus increase their profitability, corporate car sharing is a smart solution. By introducing a car-sharing concept, companies can have multiple employees share vehicles, increasing mileage and minimizing downtime. This not only leads to an improved cost structure, but also promotes sustainable corporate mobility, as fewer vehicles are needed overall.
Careful planning and clear regulations are crucial here to ensure the smooth implementation of corporate car sharing and to make the best possible use of the potential offered by electromobility. Through an intelligent combination of electric vehicles and car sharing, companies can thus benefit from electromobility both economically and ecologically.
Cost analysis: How economical are electric vehicles in the fleet?
The switch to electromobility makes a careful cost analysis essential for fleet managers. Because in this way, the switch to electric vehicles can be checked for its cost-effectiveness. Not only the acquisition costs, but also the costs for charging infrastructure, maintenance and operation should be taken into account. Electric vehicles have higher initial costs compared to conventional vehicles, but in the long term there are numerous cost advantages in return.
One of the main reasons for the cost-effectiveness of electric vehicles is that they have fewer parts that are susceptible to wear and tear, which means that maintenance and repair costs are around 35 percent lower than for vehicles with combustion engines. Wear and tear on combustion engines and other mechanical components is eliminated, resulting in reduced maintenance costs. Electrically powered vehicles have fewer moving parts and therefore less wear and tear.
In addition, electricity costs are often lower than fuel costs, which further reduces operating costs. The use of renewable energies for charging electric vehicles can even further improve the CO2 balance. Electric vehicles will therefore be more cost-effective in the long run, despite higher acquisition costs. In this way, they not only contribute to environmental friendliness, but also offer an economically attractive alternative in fleet management.
The implementation of an efficient charging infrastructure for e-mobility
Successful electromobility in the vehicle fleet is closely linked to the availability of a suitable charging infrastructure. Charging columns and charging stations are essential for charging electric vehicles regularly and reliably. But in many places there is still a need to catch up, as many charging stations are either not publicly accessible or inconveniently located.
Efficient charging management also requires technical support from intelligent software solutions. The data needed for reliable forecasting and evaluation are extremely complex. In addition to the number of charging stations, the charging time and electricity price are also decisive factors. Allowing for variable electricity prices depending on the time of day and utilization of the power grid can provide significant cost savings. This makes it cheaper to charge the vehicles at night, i.e. during the day.
A deployment forecast and analysis of previous deployments including deployment times are helpful to get a realistic picture of the loading requirements. In this way, the right measures can be taken to create an efficient and demand-oriented charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Driver training: Safe handling of electric vehicles
The introduction of electric vehicles often requires training for drivers to become familiar with the specific characteristics and requirements of electric cars. Thorough instruction of drivers is therefore essential to ensure safe and efficient use of electric vehicles.
As part of the regular UVV driver training, drivers should be familiarized with the special features and safe handling of electric cars. This includes, for example, understanding the range indicator, handling the charging cables correctly, and making the best use of recuperation technology to recover energy while driving. Educating drivers not only contributes to road safety, but can also help extend battery life. This enables them to fully exploit the potential of electric vehicles and optimize their range.
Digital driver instruction according to UVV
Carano’s e-learning course provides drivers with safe and flexible training in the use of company vehicles – whether in the office, at home or on the road. All test results are fully documented.
Data management: Increased efficiency through intelligent evaluation
Electric vehicles generate a lot of data that is invaluable for fleet management and efficiency optimization. To realize the full potential, effective data management is essential. The fleet manager must implement appropriate systems and tools to monitor and evaluate the data collected. Information about battery charge, energy consumption, driving behavior and other relevant data plays an important role.
The evaluation of this data makes it possible to optimize energy consumption, plan routes more efficiently, and analyze driver behavior. This not only helps extend the range of electric vehicles, but also reduces operating costs and makes corporate mobility more sustainable.
Intelligent data management enables fleet management to respond to potential problems at an early stage, increase vehicle availability and optimize maintenance planning. The use of the collected data thus opens up new opportunities to make the entire fleet even more efficient and future-proof.
Sustainability: Environmentally conscious fleet management through electromobility
The introduction of electric mobility in the fleet enables companies to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and promotes more sustainable fleet operations. As a fleet manager, you play a crucial role here in achieving the company’s sustainability goals in the long term. One way to further minimize the fleet’s environmental impact is to link the charging infrastructure with renewable energy. The use of green electricity further improves the carbon footprint of electric vehicles and makes the entire fleet more environmentally friendly.
Fleet managers can implement reporting systems, as appropriate, to monitor and document progress in reducing environmental impacts. This enables regular review of sustainability targets and helps the company communicate transparently about its environmental efforts.
Mastering electromobility as a fleet manager with intelligent software solutions
The integration of electromobility is complex, but with the right software support it can be solved. Every fleet manager should be aware that electromobility requires a realignment of existing processes. The many interlocking aspects such as range management and charging management can only be made transparent and comprehensible with an intelligent software solution. The software not only offers support to the person in charge for short-term planning, but also enables a long-term strategy and shows optimization possibilities. This gives management more control over costs, which is one of the main reasons for using electric vehicles.
In the electric fleet, tomorrow’s fleet manager will increasingly rely on digital tools. Using data forecasting, he can make informed decisions and accurately evaluate the impact on the fleet. This makes fleet management more comprehensive and data-based. But at the same time, fleet management software makes fleet management more efficient and cost-transparent for everyone involved. The use of an intelligent software solution is therefore indispensable in order to meet the challenges of electromobility and to successfully lead the fleet into a sustainable and efficient future.
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