May 1, 2024
• By Michelle Downing, Head of Fleet Sales, EO Charging • Bookmark +
Image Courtesy of Andy Hughes, for EO Charging
As the world pivots towards sustainable transportation, fleet operators embracing electrification can demonstrate transformational leadership by scaling the number of electric vehicles in operation. However, electrifying at scale presents fleet operators with new challenges related to charging hardware, fleet management software, and operations and maintenance. A holistic solution is required to overcome the real and perceived barriers to electrification at scale. Across truck, van, bus and other government and commercial fleets, solution providers must embrace six critical pillars of electrification. Providing the full fleet electrification solutions contained in these pillars enables what EO Charging considers the deployment of a “Genius Fleet.”
Smart Fleet Consultation
The first step in depot electrification, smart fleet consultation, involves expert guidance tailored to your fleet's needs and challenges. Fleet electrification experts must work with your depot to thoroughly consider factors like historical energy usage and billing data, vehicle types, vehicle dwell times, routes, charging infrastructure requirements and regulatory considerations. This ensures that the electrification process is optimized for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness, laying a solid foundation for a successful transition.
Depot Design and Development
Efficient depot design is essential for integrating charging infrastructure into existing facilities while minimizing disruption to your daily operations. Thoughtful design execution ensures that charging stations are optimally placed for convenient access and minimal downtime, maximizing your fleet’s productivity.
Charging Hardware
High-quality charging hardware is essential to keep vehicles powered up and ready for duty. This includes various charging solutions tailored to different vehicle types and charging needs, from fast chargers for quick top-ups during breaks to overnight chargers for replenishment. Investing in robust charging hardware ensures that fleets can maintain optimal operational readiness while minimizing downtime and delays. Fleet operators should consider the following during their procurement of either Level 2 (AC) charging hardware or DC fast chargers (DCFC):
Commercial-grade equipment: Relevant for the AC charging space, procuring a Level 2 charger designed for fleet use makes charging more efficient and supports fleet uptime. Typically a higher amperage, a commercial grade Level 2 charger can support larger batteries with overnight or other sufficient dwell time.
Heavy-duty cables: Charging cables that are routinely run over are a significant contributor to hardware degradation. Choosing a heavy-duty charging cable can support infrastructure longevity.
Mounting options, combined or distributed systems: Whether a Level 2 or DCFC system, the charging infrastructure should fit efficiently into the depot design. Look for charging partners that offer a range of configurable systems to meet your fleet's needs.
Future-proof capabilities: Charging infrastructure that communicates via standards like OCPP and ISO 15118 will enable future use cases like Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) or Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).
Charging Management Systems
“Charging infrastructure” should not be limited to hardware. Charging management systems are necessary digital infrastructure that enable reliable operations to scale. Real-time charger connectivity, network performance analytics, and system uptime offer valuable insights and control over every aspect of your operation. Integrating charging management software into electrification efforts streamlines operations, enhances fleet visibility, and enables proactive maintenance, driving greater efficiency and cost savings.
Energy Management
Effective energy management strategies help your fleet balance power demand, minimize peak load stress on the grid, and leverage renewable energy sources where possible. This may involve implementing on-site load management solutions that sync seamlessly to charging management systems. Load management solutions should also support the automation of participation in demand response programs and integrate with diverse distributed energy resources, like on-site energy storage, to maximize the use of renewable electricity and reduce overall energy costs.
24/7/365 Operations & Maintenance
Maximize your uptime by ensuring that electric fleet operations run smoothly around the clock, year-round. Operations and maintenance (O&M) solutions should include remote monitoring and remote-fix capabilities to minimize truck rolls to the site. These packages should enhance product warranties, including preventive maintenance and rapid response to any issues. With customizable service level agreements (SLAs), fleets can minimize problematic disruption levels and address potential problems before they escalate.
Combining the six pillars of a Genius Fleet will keep operations running smoothly and build trust in the reliability of electric vehicles and infrastructure among fleet operators and stakeholders.
To help fleet operators simplify the transition to all-electric, EO Charging has developed its Genius Fleet solution package for Level 2 charging stations. Genius Fleet combines many of the elements listed above into a simple monthly fee per charging station, making your transition to electric accessible by removing the requirement for a high capital outlay at the onset.
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