Using Software To Assess If Electric Is Right For Your Fleet

“To switch or not to switch” is a question that’s high on the agenda of many a fleet manager in the delivery industry. And, with the UK government’s eyes on the prize of a zero emissions future, reducing the carbon footprint of a courier business is of the utmost importance. However, it’s not always easy to make a definitive decision on the suitability of an electric fleet for an individual business.

Evaluating for Change

To meet the challenge, software specialists FleetCheck have developed some basic products aimed at helping a fleet manager assess whether their operation (or individual drivers) is conducive to a switch to EVs and, most importantly, whether it is financially viable for them to do so. However, they say that more sophistication and accuracy are needed in order for the assessment tools to be more widely accepted by the industry.

Tracking Driver Behaviour

In order to understand if an EV should be provided to a particular driver, there are numerous variables that need to be taken into consideration. These include (but are not limited to):

·         Their daily commute

·         Length of work journeys

·         Access to charging

·         How battery range equates to their needs

Peter Golding, managing director of FleetCheck makes the point that it’s not always an easy task to extract this kind of information, and that if a fleet manager gets it wrong in the first instance, it could have a negative impact on future decisions regarding EVs. 

Questions that Need Answering

Of course, as a fleet manager, it would be wonderful to have a simple yes or no answer as to whether switching to alternative fuel vehicles is going to work for you – but it’s never that easy. And, as the range of models of EVs becomes wider and wider (all offering different prices, range, features and capabilities), the questions only get more complex in terms of which one will suit your specific requirements.

Exciting Advancements on the Horizon

The need for this kind of software is clearly becoming more and more urgent, as the number of factors affecting the decision-making process increase. Peter Golding says that his company is committed to improving the available technology, and that while the existing products are a good start, there are some exciting advancements coming to market soon.

As an example, the company is developing more sophisticated assessment tools that are able to use advanced telematics to discern whether a particular EV is suitable for the working requirements of a business (or driver), incorporating journey pattern, range and charging station location data.

The Decision is Yours, but You’re Not Alone

The sooner the courier industry as a whole adopts widespread use of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles the better – for the environment, the reputation of the industry and also for individual businesses. For a fleet manager, as time goes by, it’s no longer a question of “will you?” but “when will you?” – and by embracing this kind of software as soon as it’s available, with access to useful and verifiable data to help make the transition, your task will become much easier.  

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Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Whether you’re a fleet manager or driver, the online platform works to connect logistics professionals across the UK and Europe. It networks transport businesses together, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.