What is EV Fleet Management?

Posted 7th January 2025

EV fleet management means keeping your electric vehicle (EV) fleets running smoothly. Fleet management includes tasks like ensuring that all vehicles receive proper maintenance, charging stations are taken care of, and smart software is used to monitor everything in real time. As more companies look towards electric cars in order to cut costs and play their part towards net zero, fleet managers have to embrace fresh opportunities as well as potential hurdles.

Managing a fleet of Electric Vehicles is a different ball game to managing petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. EVs need planning for charging, keeping track of battery life, and dealing with issues like how far they can travel on a single charge. However, there are many perks of using EVs, such as lower costs, cleaner air, and easier maintenance making them a great choice for businesses that want to stay ahead. There are now over 1.47 million plug-in electric cars on the road as of 2023. This highlights just how popular electric vehicles are becoming.

Why is EV Fleet Management So Important for Fleet Managers?

For fleet managers, managing a fleet is crucial for many reasons. 

First, there are savings to be had. Electric vehicles generally have much lower fuel and maintenance costs than non-electric fleets. By planning smart charging times and using the best routes, managers can boat efficiently and enjoy significant savings in the long run.

Another big reason is sustainability. With the UK government planning to stop selling new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, fleet managers are now thinking about how they can best play their part. Switching to an electric fleet helps meet these requirements and shows that a company cares about being eco-friendly.  Operational efficiency is one of the most important things for a fleet manager. Running an EV fleet means coordinating when vehicles charge, adjusting routes on the fly, and keeping an eye on performance. This can be done all in one place with our CPMS.

Electrassure can help fleet managers implement EV infrastructure. From initial site survey to full installation. Being OZEV-approved installers our team can also guide you with funding options like the Vehicle Infrastructure Grant from the government, which offers up to £15,000 to help pay for charging stations. 

This makes it easier and more affordable to switch to an electric fleet. If you want to learn more about government grants and incentives, read our incentives article here.

The Key Pillars of EV Fleet Management

EV Charging Infrastructure

High quality and well maintained charging stations are vital for long-term success. Electrassure provides different solutions to fit various needs. The UK government is investing £381 million to help build EV charging spots in local areas so businesses can easily charge their fleets. Vehicles can charge at home, at central depots for quick charging, or at public stations for more flexibility. Each setup is designed to help minimise downtime and make things run smoother.

Fleet Management Software

Fleet management software is a must-have for keeping track of an EV fleet. Electrassure’s solutions give fleet managers real-time data. This helps them keep tabs on vehicle performance, find the best routes to save energy and grasp when maintenance is needed. This improves overall control and productivity.

Battery Management

Taking care of your vehicle’s batteries might be a new concept once your transition over to electric is complete. Our software helps you to avoid issues like overcharging and deep discharging which can help to keep battery life longer. Planning for replacements early helps avoid disruptions, and recycling old batteries aligns with green goals. Electrassure provides support and tips for keeping batteries healthy and lasting longer.

Some Common Challenges in Fleet Management

Switching to electric comes with its own set of hurdles that need careful planning:

We understand that initial costs can first seem like a barrier. We’ll be honest, changing to electric vehicles and setting up the charging infrastructure will require upfront investment. Luckily, Electrassure offers a range of solutions that make this financial leap easier.

Next, there is currently a range of initial issues with charging logistics around the UK. These can be tricky for fleets that cover large distances. Electrassure helps with planning charging stations and software that eases range worries.

Handling all the data generated by EVs can might sound overwhelming. Data about performance, charging times, and travel analytics can quickly pile up. Electrassure makes reading and managing this data easier with tools that compiles these insights all into one place.

Strategic Benefits of EV Fleet Management for Fleet Managers

The long-term gains from managing an EV fleet are clear. There’s a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) since maintenance and fuel costs are cut down. Electrassure works closely with fleet managers to create strategies that help them enjoy these benefits as they switch to electric.

How Electrassure Supports Fleet Managers 

Electrassure offers a wide range of services designed to make EV fleet management easier:

Consultation services give expert advice on moving to electric. They can help with choosing the right vehicles and infrastructure charging setups. Electrassure has the know-how to plan, set up, and take care of charging stations geared up for your fleet to grow.

With our advanced charge point management software, managers can monitor everything in real-time. This software helps with planning and performance tracking while also ensuring operations run smoothly. Plus, Electrassure provides 24/7 support with our leading maintenance packages so businesses can stay productive without interruptions. Our goal is to maximise your uptime.

Fleet managers can count on Electrassure to be a reliable partner every step of the way, from initial site surveys, the installation itself and ongoing support.

The Future

The future looks bright for EV fleet management. New trends are emerging, and Electrassure is here ready to lead from the front to help clients make the switch. Exciting developments are already happening, for example, the UK government has committed to converting more than 30,000 of its own fleet vehicles to zero-emission by 2027. This sets a great example for the progression of electric fleets in the UK.

New charging methods like ultra-fast charging are cutting down wait times and improving efficiency. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems let fleets act as energy reserves, opening up new additional revenue opportunities. Artificial intelligence is helping with maintenance and better route planning, while government grants and incentives continue to push for more accessibility.

ElectrAssure – Supporting Fleet Managers With Their Transition To Electric

Switching your fleet to electric doesn’t need to be a complicated process.  Our team is your go-to partner for charging stations and A-Z fleet management strategies. Please feel free to reach out to our team directly or fill out our contact form and someone will be in touch for a no obligation chat.