6 Questions to Ask Before Adding Electric Vehicles to Your Fleet

The US electric vehicle market is expected to experience significant growth (Image Source).

So it looks like the future is undeniably battery-powered. But should you take the leap now, or wait? Here are some questions to guide your decision.

1.   Electric vs. Hybrid: What’s The Difference?

An EV works by converting power from a battery into energy which is then used to drive your car around. The electric motor replaces the internal combustion engine (ICE) found in traditional vehicles—and because all its power comes exclusively from its battery, it needs to be plugged into an electric power source to be recharged.

Hybrids, meanwhile, use both electricity and fossil fuels to power themselves. The electric motor works in combination with the gas or diesel engine to increase fuel economy and performance. In a conventional hybrid, the motor’s battery charges itself by converting and storing the thermal energy produced when the vehicle brakes—no plug-in is required. Many cars combine these two technologies into what’s known as a PHEV, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

PHEVs work like conventional hybrids, but they have larger batteries that must be charged via a plug. This means they can cover greater distances running on pure electricity before the charge runs out and the engine kicks in, but you must plug it in regularly to achieve maximum fuel economy.

2. Are All-Electric Fleets Cost-Effective?

Although the upfront costs of an EV fleet seem high, studies have shown that, over its lifetime, it will end up being cheaper than its conventional counterparts.

There are zero fuel costs and fewer components to replace. The parts that are there also wear out slower—meaning maintenance costs are typically far lower over the vehicle’s lifetime. Coupled with various existing or planned EV tax breaks and purchase incentives, the total cost of owning electric vehicles drops significantly. Moreover, the cost of electricity per mile is on average just 50% of the cost of gasoline required to cover the same distance.

3. Are EVs Reliable?

Electric vehicles today are just as reliable as any gas-powered or diesel vehicle would be, depending on the make and model as well as how well you take care of them. If anything, you’ll have fewer mechanical parts to worry about—things like spark plugs, valves, drive belts and other components that often fail or wear out and can leave you stranded on the road. Moreover, the technology used to store energy from braking causes less wear on the brake pads compared to traditional vehicles.

When it comes to the battery—the most important part of an EV—it can take from 10 to 20 years before you need to replace it, if maintained properly. Most manufacturers provide warranties for at least 8 years or 160,000 km (about 100,000 miles), which can be even higher for commercial vehicles.

4. Will Your Drivers Need Additional Training?

Driving an electric vehicle is incredibly easy, but it is a different experience from driving a conventional vehicle. Although it’s possible to drive it just as you would a traditional vehicle, your drivers will need time to familiarize themselves with some of its features if they are to make the most of its benefits. For instance, EVs are heavier than gas-powered/diesel vehicles, which can affect top speeds if your fleet consists of heavy goods vehicles.

If you’re planning on adding EVs to your fleet, let your drivers test them out first. Chances are they’ll be keen to do so.

5. How Far Do Your Drivers Travel?

This is an important question to ask because the range of your electric vehicles needs to be suitable for the routes travelled by your fleet. If you need a vehicle that will cover really long distances between stops, then your options might be limited.

It all depends on the size of the battery, but typically a 240km (150 mi) round trip should be within the capabilities of most electric vehicles currently available. So, if you operate within a small area and don’t need to cover long distances regularly, then an EV could be ideal.

Bear in mind, too, that the battery needs time to recharge before the vehicle can go back on the road—and that it takes longer to charge during colder months, because power demands are higher. If this is an issue, then you may need to consider a hybrid option instead.

6. Will You Have Access to Reliable Charging Points?

As with any change in fleet operations, changes in your charging infrastructure can come with significant upfront costs. Not only do these new electric vehicles require specific charging points (which are different from standard plug sockets), but you’ll also have to account for the time required for charging.

It can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours for an electric vehicle to recharge, depending on the capacity of your charging points—whereas a standard vehicle can be refuelled quickly at any standard filling station.

Some areas are more advanced than others when it comes to charging infrastructure, but in general the availability of charging networks may still be insufficient. Berg Insight estimates that, in North America, the total installed base of dedicated charging points will increase from 0.9 million in 2020 to reach 2.6 million in 2025. Something to keep in mind if you’re looking to roll out across the continent.