EV WATTS Survey Insights: Overcoming Fleet Electrification Planning Challenges
As organizations seek to align operations with their sustainability goals, adopting electric vehicles (EVs) has emerged as a pivotal strategy for fleet managers. The increasing adoption of EVs has resulted in a greater demand for data to understand how EVs are performing in the wild. To collect data and gather insights, Energetics surveyed fleets and individual drivers participating in the EV WATTS program.
The survey aimed to delve into sustainable fleet management and challenges encountered during electrification planning. Participants included 16 fleet data partners and 200 individual EV driver volunteers, with data collection spanning September 2022 to November 2023.
The survey employed multiple-choice and open-ended questions exploring various aspects, including vehicle types, charging infrastructure, perceived benefits of EV ownership, and factors limiting adoption. Key findings revealed a prevalence of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) among commercial vehicle fleets, along with a number of common concerns.
Common Concerns in Fleet Electrification Planning
The overall response from survey participants highlighted positive experiences with EV adoption. Of the participants, 88% noted reduced maintenance costs; 90% reported an increase in driving enjoyment; 92% agreed that EVs reduce their carbon footprints; and 100% noted fuel cost savings. Despite the list of positives, many survey participants reported common concerns about transportation electrification. Their collective experience suggests the need for more advanced EV tools and analytics.
Insufficient Charging Infrastructure
The most cited obstacle to transportation electrification was a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure. The participants reported that public electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is often inconvenient, regularly occupied, or non-operational. The shortcomings of public EVSE are compounded by further concerns related to a lack of EVSE at fleet depots. While these factors are perceived to limit EV use, they provide insight into the imperative need for infrastructure planning.
Fleet managers and decision-makers can confidently approach electrification planning by utilizing tools for EV infrastructure planning, such as ezIO from Sawatch Labs. Software that helps with infrastructure planning provides valuable insights that inform:
When, where and at what time charging will occur
Daily charging demand curves
How many chargers are needed
When managed charging will be needed
Limited Vehicle Options
One of the recurring themes from the surveys was the limitation posed by the types of electric vehicles currently available, especially for medium- and heavy-duty fleets. Many fleet managers expressed interest in expanding electrification to these vehicle categories but noted the need for more suitable options. As more original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) improve their offerings, the gap between needs and solutions will begin to close.
Despite a lack of options for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles, the majority of survey participants reported that they intend to add more EVs to their fleets. Fleet managers can simplify the process for determining suitability and analyzing which EVs to acquire with the use of EV suitability software. By comparing all available EV models on the market, fleet managers can make informed decisions based on their fleets’ specific needs.
Range Anxiety
Another significant concern mentioned by both fleet managers and individual drivers was range anxiety – the fear of running out of battery charge before reaching a destination. This concern often stems from a combination of factors, including limited charging infrastructure, perceived inadequate battery range, and uncertainties surrounding charging times. The prevalence of this concern highlights the importance of detailed planning throughout the electrification process.
Fleet managers can use telematics to gather relevant data points from their existing fleets to guide electrification planning. The information gathered creates a clear picture of real-world requirements, which helps mitigate range anxiety. Gathering minute-by-minute data from individual vehicles makes it possible to identify how much energy each vehicle needs and allows you to only put a driver behind the wheel once you know that the EV can handle the job.
Simplify Fleet Electrification Planning with Sawatch Labs
Fleet electrification is a huge project that should not be carried out without thorough research. The responses from the EV WATTS survey indicate that although the overwhelming majority of respondents noticed benefits from adopting EVs, they also experienced a number of common concerns. These concerns emphasize the necessity for creating a thorough electrification plan before implementation. By harnessing the power of data-driven insights, fleet managers can completely understand daily energy requirements, where to build charging infrastructure, when mid-day charging will be needed, and more.
At Sawatch Labs, we're helping organizations unlock the full potential of fleet electrification. We use technology to help fleet managers think through the operational, economic, and environmental issues involved with managing a fleet. Electrifying your fleet may be a huge project, but it doesn’t need to be a hassle. If you are planning to transition to EVs but share the same concerns as the survey participants, we can help.
