One of the biggest challenges to fleet electrification has been technological limitations of both EVs and EV charging stations. However, we’re reaching a sweet spot and more and more fleet operators are realizing the advantages of fleet electrification. And yet, many quick-turn fleet owners and operators are still reluctant because of the high demand for expediency when it comes to vehicle availability. Well, there’s good news. EV charging technology is catching up there as well and the time to make the transition is now.
Quick Links:
- What is a Quick-Turn Fleet?
- Why Quick-Turn EV Fleet Needs Are Different
- How Quick-Turn EV Fleet Needs Impact Implementation
- How Your CPMS Can Optimize Quick Turn EV Fleet Charging
What is a Quick-Turn Fleet?
From rental vehicles and package deliveries to emergency services and special deliveries, quick-turn fleets consist of vehicles optimized for rapid turnaround times between trips or deliveries. These fleets are designed to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency, allowing vehicles to quickly complete one task and move on to the next without significant delays.
Often, these fleets require streamlined processes (including maintenance and fueling), efficient loading and unloading procedures, and strategic routing to minimize idle time. For EV fleets, that means optimized EV charging infrastructure, and of course you get to skip a lot of the maintenance on electric vehicles.
Why Quick-Turn EV Fleet Needs Are Different
Your standard quick-turn fleet has very specific needs, especially in the rental vehicle space. Still, regardless of the fleet’s roles, that quick-turn means fleets need fueling, maintenance checks, loading, cleaning, and potentially more to get back out on the road or return to service.
For EV fleets, the needs aren’t much different, but unlike a quick fill up on fuel, EV charging must be considered. In short, quick-turn EV fleets differ from traditional fleet requirements primarily due to unique EV demands.
Charging Infrastructure- Unlike traditional vehicles that can refuel at gas stations within minutes, EVs rely on charging stations. Quick-turn EV fleets need to consider access to EV charging stations, including DC fast-charging stations to minimize downtime between trips.
Range Anxiety- EV drivers often experience range anxiety, the fear of running out of battery charge before reaching their destination. Quick-turn fleets need to factor in the range of their vehicles and ensure sufficient charging options available along their routes to alleviate this concern. Route planning becomes essential as does public EV infrastructure.
Charging Time- While EV charging times are decreasing with advancements in technology, they still typically take longer than refueling a traditional vehicle. Quick-turn fleets must account for charging times when planning routes and scheduling operations to avoid delays. Having insight into what vehicles have which needs is essential. In some cases, integrating telematics into your charging platform management system can help you better plan for charging time.
Driver Training and Support- Operating EVs requires a different set of skills and knowledge compared to traditional vehicles. Quick-turn fleets must invest in training programs to educate drivers on EV technology, charging protocols, and efficient driving practices to maximize vehicle performance and range.
EV needs do not necessarily require a more challenging approach for quick-turn fleet operations; it’s just different. Effective planning, investment in the right EV infrastructure and solutions, and driver education can help any organization transition their quick-turn fleet to electric.
How Quick-Turn EV Fleet Needs Impact Implementation
For quick-turn EV fleets, efficiency and uptime are paramount which can present challenges to EV charging implementation. Quick-turn fleets are characterized by fast-paced, high demand operations. They need an EV charging solution tailored to ensure seamless operations and maximize fleet utilization.
One of the most significant impacts of quick-turn EV fleets on charging implementation lies in the need for fast charging solutions. Unlike traditional fleets with longer dwell times, quick-turn fleets require EV charging stations capable of quickly replenishing battery levels during short breaks and limited downtime. This means DC fast chargers at the depot, but, in some cases, it means locating fast chargers along fleet routes and at key operational hubs to minimize charging time and maintain EV fleet productivity.
For depot locations, fast charging solutions may further be limited by available infrastructure. Fleet owners and operators may need to make investments in power infrastructure to improve and boost the electricity available to meet the needs of a quick-turn fleet.
Further, EV fleet operators need to be mindful of the scalability and flexibility of charging infrastructure, especially when it comes to fleet electrification and quick-turn fleets. These fleets often operate in diverse environments and serve varied operational needs, ranging from rental vehicles and urban delivery routes to long-haul transportation. As such, charging solutions must be adaptable to accommodate the evolving demands of quick-turn fleets, whether through the deployment of fast chargers at depots, leveraging available public charging infrastructure, or the integration of mobile charging units to support on-the-go charging needs.
Finally, leveraging smart EV charging technology is a vital component to meeting the needs of quick-turn EV fleets. Real-time data from both EVs and EV charging stations can help optimize charging schedules, manage peak demand, and minimize downtime for fleet vehicles. Additionally, remote monitoring and diagnostics enable fleet operators to proactively identify and address EV charging infrastructure issues, ensuring smooth fleet operations and minimizing service disruptions.
How Your CPMS Can Optimize Quick-Turn EV Fleet Charging
Fleet operators, perhaps more than any others, understand how essential visibility is when it comes to managing EV charging. For any EV charging station owner, the charging platform management system (CPMS) is an essential component to a successful charging solution, but for fleets it can act as a command center, enabling even quick-turn fleets to maximize charging opportunities.
Your EV CPMS can help you manage and monitor all aspects of your charging needs, helping with:
Optimized Charging- Your CPMS allows you to monitor and manage EV charging stations remotely, optimizing their utilization and ensuring they’re available when needed. When combined with fleet management and vehicle telematics, fleet owners and operators can schedule charging to meet quick-turn needs.
Power Load Management- As noted above, site limitations may impact what’s available in terms of power, impacting how many and what type of chargers you can deploy at a depot. While DC fast chargers will be in high demand for a quick-turn fleet, your CPMS can help you maximize the power available through intelligent charging load distribution.
You can remain flexible while ensuring the vehicles that need more power and faster charging can get it. You can even control different power distribution models based on depot needs and high traffic times. In short, your CPMS can help you avoid grid congestion, EV charging delays, uncharged vehicles, and maximize the capacity limits of the local grid infrastructure.
Maintenance and Diagnostics- Your quick-turn EV fleet is only as good as the EV charging stations you rely on. EV charging station reliability is, therefore, a key component to ensuring your vehicles are charged and either on the ready or on the road when you need them.
Your CPMS provides diagnostic capabilities to monitor the health and status of charging equipment in real-time. By detecting issues early and proactively scheduling maintenance, fleet operators can minimize downtime.
NovaCHARGE’s CPMS, for example, includes NovaBOT which performs level 1 maintenance on its own or alerts when human intervention is needed, enabling fleet operators to ensure EV charging stations are ready to deploy as needed.
CPMS Reporting- Are you maximizing your EV charging stations? Are some under/overutilized? Are they performing, reliably, as expected? How much power are you using? Do you need to scale? What’s the environmental impact of your EV fleet? Are you meeting regulations? Which users are charging most often?
CPMS reporting can provide reports designed to help you optimize your EV charging station implementation. Reports include, but are not limited to:
- Station Utilization
- Network Performance
- Energy Consumption
- Environmental Impact
- Compliance and Regulatory Reports
- Charging Sessions
- User Activity
The truth is that, as an EV fleet operator, your CPMS will become one of your most important and valuable assets. It can provide invaluable visibility, transparency, and control over everything from depot charging management to vehicle and driver insights, allowing you to ensure on demand availability for EVs.
Quick-turn EV fleet management can be challenging, but it doesn’t need to be difficult. Choosing the right EVSE provider can make a significant impact. If you’re ready to talk to the team of EV experts already working with and delivering success to quick-turn EV fleets, then get in touch with NovaCHARGE. 