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Shared E-Fleet: Cloud platform for cross-company e-car sharing

Electromobility is the basis for an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mobility concept in the company. In order to increase the utilization of the e-vehicles and to increase the economic efficiency, the int egration of a sharing model is worthwhile. The aim of the Shared E-Fleet project was therefore to develop a modern booking platform for the use of commercial e-vehicle fleets across company boundaries. The model, which was successfully tested in business parks and at the Magdeburg city administration, combined state-of-the-art technology with intelligent fleet and energy supply systems and proves that e-fleets can be organized in an economically sustainable manner with the right software.

E-car sharing in the business environment? A good combo

A survey by Fraunhofer IAO of 30 participating companies showed that a sharing model with electric vehicles is very well suited for company car fleets: The idle times of company cars were estimated at over 60 % to over 80 % (very low utilization), no or only a small amount of special equipment is usually required for company trips (sharing possible), and the distances of company trips are often less than 50 km (electric vehicles well usable). E-car sharing across multiple companies and organizations thus offers the opportunity to increase the profitability of e-fleets.

Advantages of e-car sharing in the Technology Park

For the real estate operator

For the tenants and users

The economic use of e-mobility is the most important argument for its rapid spread,” says Frank Meißner, project manager at consortium leader Carano Software Solutions. “Even before the complexity of use, this forms the biggest barrier among companies. Both factors are closely related to each other. We have integrated the various complex sub-functions in such a way that users perceive them as one application.

Frank Meißner, Project Manager

Period

December 2014 until December 2017

Result

Development of a cloud platform incl. Vehicle opening with app
Intelligent deployment planning led to 20% less CO2 and 10% cost reduction

Destination

Design and implementation of an integrated, cloud-based ICT solution for the intelligent operation of shared electric vehicle fleets

Economic efficiency of e-car sharing

The software solution used in the Shared E-Fleet projects is continuously being further developed. Maintenance-related downtimes were also steadily reduced in the course of the project and a utilization rate of 2.5 to just under 3 trips per day was achieved. This is necessary to achieve sufficient mileage to compensate for the high purchase price of the e-vehicles. A profitability analysis of the vehicle fleet showed that the BMW i3s used in the Shared E-fleet project generated the highest TCO (total cost of ownership) of around €75,000 over four years. This is approximately 20% more than existing diesel vehicles or 30% more than existing gasoline vehicles. However, it is interesting to look at the all-electric vehicle types with lower acquisition costs. The total costs of these vehicle types were generally lower than the total costs of vehicles with conventional internal combustion engines. This suggests that the use of such vehicle types can lead to cost savings in the medium term.

Results of the Shared E-Fleet project

E-fleet sharing requires appropriate ICT solutions to handle the large amount of data and processes. These were developed and tested in the Shared E-Fleet project.

Who gets which vehicle - booking and dynamic deployment planning: In order to increase utilization, availabilities, loading status and delays were taken into account. Both CO2 emissions and costs were reduced.
Which vehicle charges when and how - Intelligent energy management: The control system takes bookings into account, charges when the electricity price is favorable, uses self-generated electricity where possible, and avoids load peaks so as not to overload the grid.
Vehicle access without key - Digital app: Vehicle and charging station are unlocked via smartphone app. This means that a "gatekeeper" is no longer necessary for issuing keys.
High user satisfaction - from skepticism to enthusiasm: 100 % of participants have a more positive attitude toward electromobility after the model tests. Initial concerns about charging times and range have been dispelled. Drivers still want longer ranges and more charging options.

Project partner

The findings from the Shared E-Fleet project have been incorporated into our CaranoCloud booking platform. With our car sharing software, you have the complete package: booking, scheduling and vehicle access.

Outlook from e-car sharing to holistic mobility management

The Shared E-Fleet project networks various IT solutions and components into a mobility system and integrates fleet management, energy management and traffic data in a cloud solution. The integration of public transport for intermodal trips, partner models for the use and billing of other fleets, and the simulation and analysis of demand forecasts were also investigated for future mobility management.

Sustainability and economic efficiency do not have to be opposites, as the Shared E-Fleet project has shown.
For successful e-car sharing, vehicle and charging station manufacturers must develop standards for interfaces, access authorizations, charging control, and access to live operating data. For the further spread of electromobility, policymakers must remove legal and tax barriers and create incentives for charging at home. The consortium recommends that companies, public authorities and other organizations add electric vehicles to their fleets and test the benefits – with suitable IT solutions.

Practice Guide Shared E-Fleet

The Shared E-Fleets practical guide shows how e-vehicles can be used jointly across several companies and organizations and which IT solutions are required for this. It is aimed at companies, public authorities, municipalities and fleet managers.

You can download the practical guide “Shared E-Fleet” from the IAO Shop.

Our other research projects

Optimize energy costs through on-demand charging of the e-fleet

Smart integration of e-vehicles into the fleet

Emission-free thanks to shared use of vehicles and charging infrastructure

The central questions surrounding electromobility in vehicle fleets

The research project was divided into a total of five thematic blocks, which answered various questions:

What legal, statutory and contractual framework conditions must be in place for cross-company use?

What are the legal challenges of collaborative fleet use?
How can certain contractual arrangements help ensure smooth operation of the shared fleet and charging infrastructure?
What billing and process patterns can support the goals of the project?

What technical concepts must be in place to create a system architecture for fleet and charging management?

What applications and interfaces must a booking platform for fleets and charging infrastructure include?

How can the integration of already existing IT systems and data of the different companies take place in one platform?

How can existing processes be optimized for effective energy management?

How can forecast data be generated in a dynamic environment?
How can charging and payment models be developed to encourage vehicle users to charge electric vehicles during off-peak hours?
How can it be ensured that the legal requirements regarding logging of roaming and tariffing are met?

How can vehicle demand be reduced and can the share of electrified vehicles be increased?

How can vehicle demand be determined at peak times?
What results can be obtained to increase the degree of electrification?
How can usage patterns and daily driving distances be transferred from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles?
How can the utilization rate of the fleet be increased through shared use?

Which operator models make sense for cross-company use of e-vehicles and a charging infrastructure?

Which measures for operational safety and risk considerations can be derived?
What are the requirements for the booking and billing platform so that it can be used across companies?
What insights into fleet software failure management can be gained?
How can possible contingency models be made economically viable?

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