Happy Eco News Jolts on the Journey to EV Fleet Adoption: 5 Hidden Challenges and Solutions
Reading Time: 4 minutesJolts on the Journey to EV Fleet Adoption: 5 Hidden Challenges and Solutions
Adopting sustainable business models impresses consumers and helps the planet. Electric vehicles (EVs) are one of the primary ways companies can become greener overnight, but fleet teams are experiencing certain roadblocks on the way to sustainable success.
Learn about some common challenges of EV fleet adoption to uncover the solutions that make them achievable for companies of any size.
Is EV Fleet Adoption Happening Quickly?
Experts found that 10,265 new electric trucks hit the highways in 2023, which is the most electric vehicle deployment since 2017. The substantial increase is happening in part because the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) investment is resulting in public charging stations, but executives have also increased their interest in sustainability.
Commercial teams using electric vehicles also come at a time when 59% of C-level executives are implementing sustainability policies. Electric fleets will continue to rise in popularity, although the movement to make shipping and transportation green doesn’t come without its challenges.
Common EV Fleet Challenges
Any change comes with a few issues to work out. Discover the most common EV fleet challenges to clarify what experiences might lie ahead on the road to adoption.
1. EV Fleet Performance Still Needs Time
Although EV batteries are significantly better than even 10 years ago, they still don’t match the power of a combustion engine. EV manufacturers need more time to develop better battery technology so companies can transport heavy shipments across the same distances in the same time frame as a traditional truck. The reduced weight capacity and slower drive times can be a frustrating experience for unprepared teams.
2. Charging Stations Come at High Costs
Drivers will need to recharge their electric fleet vehicles on the road, but they won’t get anywhere if they can’t charge the fleet before leaving on a delivery. Companies with EV fleets must have their own charging stations. Investing in enough stations to match their fleet size can come at a higher cost than expected.
Fleet owners can expect to pay between $600 to $12,700 per station for level two electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Level three EVSEs can cost much more. It’s something to keep in mind for anyone investing in fleet vehicles that would require electric charging stations.
3. Electric Vehicles Are More Expensive
EV fleet adoption requires an upfront investment. Electric trucks are still more expensive than those with combustion engines, so it might take leadership teams more time to find the funding.
Depending on a company’s financial situation, they may also need sizable loans they can’t afford to pay off every month. EVs offer long-term savings compared to trucks that need oil changes and diesel, but that doesn’t mitigate the substantial upfront investments to obtain an EV fleet.
4. EVs Require Different Training
Any commercial driver must undergo training before they can start working. Training for traditional trucks is easy to arrange, but EVs are still relatively new to the commercial world. Team leaders will need to arrange an entirely new method of training for anyone who will drive their fleet of EVs, which may take more time and investment than a company can manage right away.
5. Charging Can Take a While
Filling up a gas or diesel tank takes a few minutes. EV charging is much different. Company leaders adopting EVs often find that reserving time for charging is one of the most pressing EV fleet challenges.
It can take 30 minutes or more to fill an EV’s battery. That complicates shipping times and rush orders. It also adds to each driver’s time on the road, which may or may not go unpaid, depending on how each company handles its wages.
Solutions to EV Fleet Complications
People are still undertaking the steps for EV fleet adoption because the challenges have solutions. Each solution opens potential doors for professional teams hoping to make their transportation department more eco-friendly.
1. Find Government or Organizational Funding for Charging Stations
Although people get residential cars with loans, those aren’t the only funding sources for teams purchasing charging stations for their EV fleets. Grants, charging rebates and tax credits are available to mitigate the cost of installing charging stations and buying trucks. Look for support from your state government offices or sustainable organizations trying to make the shipping sector greener.
2. Start Slow With EV Additions
It would be nice to make an entire fleet electric overnight, but that isn’t the only way to go green. Teams often invest in EV fleets slowly. Add one or two trucks up front and continue investing in additional models with time. Financially, gradually increasing a company’s electric fleet is much easier.
The other benefit of gradual adoption is the use of newer models. New battery models could come out every year. Getting one or two new trucks annually would support a company’s sustainability efforts while modernizing its fleet.
EVs also come in numerous sizes. Starting small with an electric van would still reduce carbon emissions by 50% over its lifespan. As the company’s revenue increases, so can the size of its fleet vehicles. It all depends on what the company typically ships daily.
3. Apply for Federal Tax Credits
Federal tax credits are available for those interested in EV fleet adoption. They’ll reimburse the purchase of an EV for commercial shipping. After the purchase is official, the new owners of any electric truck can claim their tax credits by filing forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) online or with the assistance of their corporation’s financial team.
4. Invest in Modern Training Resources
Private companies offer EV fleet training for drivers and technicians. If everyone knows how to drive and fix their new trucks, the fleet will operate longer and more efficiently. It might require off-site training, but the privatized certification courses are available.
Companies looking into electric trucks could also get EV fleet training software for VR headsets. Employees would wear the headsets to train in driving or repair simulations. It’s another way to train them in-house, depending on the budget for training resources.
5. Integrate Charging Time Into Routes
Charging does take longer than refilling a diesel tank, so add it to delivery estimates. The team on the receiving end of the shipment will understand the total time for delivery without crossing their fingers for fast charging experiences. It’s a simple way to get around EV fleet challenges like charging until newer batteries with faster charge times hit the market.
Embrace EV Fleet Adoption and Its Challenges
Looking into EV fleet adoption reveals potential challenges, but every complication has a solution. The extra time invested into navigating those challenges will make EV fleet adoption easier for the entire company. Investigating available resources, financial support and training methods is one way for leadership teams to venture into the world of electric trucks with less concern.
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