Fleet EV Charging: Finding an on-the-go Payment System
Electric vehicle (EV) charging is becoming more accessible, pushing the EV transition within reach for many businesses. About six in ten Americans live within two miles of an electric vehicle public charging station, according to the Pew Research Center. But while successfully transitioning to electric vehicles is a major accomplishment, it also introduces two distinct operational challenges.
The first is ensuring your fleet is prepared for the transition, with the right number and level of chargers on site. With high-fidelity data and vehicle analytics, electric vehicle infrastructure planning becomes clear, predictable, and stress-free. This allows you to avoid the costly pitfalls of having too many or too few chargers on your premises.
The second challenge is keeping your EVs powered once they are on the road. Despite the recent growth in the U.S.’s public charging infrastructure, the accessibility of public charging stations can still be a primary concern for fleet managers. As companies continue adding EVs to their commercial vehicle fleets, incorporating a payment system for charging on the go can help fleet managers and drivers successfully navigate long routes.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in the U.S.
EV charging accessibility is growing nationwide. The public charging infrastructure has expanded rapidly, growing from fewer than 30,000 stations in 2020 to over 61,000 by early 2024.
The majority of the charging expansion is clustered around major metropolitan areas. For fleet managers, this means that the operational reality of public en route charging can be complex. Drivers must find a nearby charger, check for availability, and manage different payment methods across various charge point operators. This process can introduce uncertainty into a driver’s day, risking delays and creating frustration. A streamlined payment system for EV charging helps mitigate this complexity, and that’s where the WEX EV En Route tool comes into play.
Types of Electric Vehicle Chargers
The U.S. Department of Transportation lists three types of EV chargers: Level I, II, and III (DC fast chargers).
Level I chargers use a lower voltage and typically take longer to charge. They can take 40-50+ hours to charge a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) to 80 percent from empty and five to six hours for a PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle).
Level II chargers can charge a BEV to 80 percent from empty in four to 10 hours and a PHEV in one to two hours.
Level III (DC) chargers can charge a BEV to 80 percent in just 20 minutes to one hour.
A Simple Solution for a Complex Problem
The WEX EV En Route tool solves these complexities. It simplifies en route charging by providing a single, reliable way for your drivers to find chargers and pay for charging sessions while on the go.
By using either the DriverDash app or the WEX EV RFID card, your drivers can access a broad and expanding nationwide network of public chargers. This tool functions as a single payment system for fleet EV charging, allowing them to charge at a growing network of accepting locations, including ChargePoint, EVGo, FLO, and Blink. This minimizes disruption, reduces range anxiety for drivers, and keeps your fleet operational.
Benefits of WEX EV En Route
Securing payments and data: Tracking charging sessions and managing costs can be a challenge. The WEX EV En Route tool uses a proprietary, closed-loop payments network that helps ensure secure transactions while providing you with detailed insights into charging behavior, driver identification, and vehicle mileage.
Improving operational efficiency: When a vehicle needs a charge, there is no time to waste. The DriverDash app helps your drivers avoid running out of power mid-route, which enhances vehicle reliability and reduces the risk of disruptions in the workday.
Simplifying costs: A unified payment system for fleet EV charging simplifies the complex task of managing a mixed-energy fleet. Instead of dealing with fragmented invoices and confusing reports, the WEX EV En Route tool gives you a single credit line, one invoice, and one set of reports for all of your fleet EV charging and fuel purchases. This streamlined approach provides a complete, clear picture of your total energy spend.
The Next Step in Your Electrification Journey
Sawatch Labs, a WEX Company, provides advanced EV analytics to help you confidently plan for all aspects of fleet electrification. Once you begin deploying EVs into your fleet, the WEX EV En Route tool ensures that your drivers always have a straightforward way to keep vehicles powered on the go.
Contact us today to learn more about how our solutions can benefit your fleet.