Electrifying your commercial fleet – the rise of eLCVs
All of the questions above apply equally to both car and van fleets. However, there are some particular considerations in the case of vans and other commercial vehicles that are worth highlighting.
The first is availability. Historically, there has been a poor choice of electric vans in comparison to their ICE counterparts – and many fleet professionals still have concerns in this area. However, this situation is changing rapidly, and in both 2022 and 2023 a series of new arrivals in the market will meet the operational requirements of a lot of businesses.
These include an all-electric update of the existing large Ford Transit van. The E-Transit, as it is known, is meant to have a very generous maximum payload of 1,758kg and an official range of 196 miles. Those are very encouraging – and attractive – numbers.
Other considerations include the operational requirements of the vehicle. Increasingly, as batteries get lighter and more powerful, e-LCVs have room for heavy payloads – but heavy payloads, in tandem with other conditions such as cold weather, can also reduce the driving range by as much as half. Remember, the numbers will also be affected by any conversions that have taken place or by adding ancillary equipment.
Of course, this needn’t be a problem for most van operators, particularly given the availability of public charge points and the fact that most journeys won’t surpass even the reduced ranges. However, it is indicative of the extra thought needed, for e-LCVs, around factors such as loads, routes and charging options.
When it comes to working out these factors, telematics systems are an overlooked part of the solution – for both van and car fleets. Being able to map vehicle usage patterns is vital for a successful transition to EVs.
But telematics systems enable business to do a lot more than just track the movement of their fleets. They also help you to:
- Identify drivers who are ready and/or able to move to EVs.
- Improve driver habits, thanks to live feedback, thereby maximising battery range.
- Monitor various aspects of a vehicle’s condition, including its engine health and battery state.
- Gain insight into drivers’ charging activities and requirements.
- Map charging hotspots, where businesses might want to install workplace charge points.
ALD Automotive can help with any of these considerations. Our consultants are available to talk you through any part of the transition to electric vehicles and find the correct solution for both your organisation and drivers.