Fleet study: the key step to a successful electrification
Presentation of electrification engineering plans for a commercial fleet site. | Crédit photo : Polara
Financial incentives, environmental concerns, regulatory pressure… Whatever your motivation for transitioning to EVs, the transition to electric is a significant undertaking with numerous benefits. But it also demands thorough planning. This will help you avoid unnecessary expenses and decisions that don’t align with the realities of your operations. Otherwise, it’s like starting a renovation without first consulting an architect to properly assess your needs !
The fleet study is your game plan for a successful transition to electric vehicles.
What is a fleet study?
A fleet study is a detailed analysis of how your current vehicle fleet is used. It includes factors such as the size of the vehicle fleet, vehicle types, mileage, usage roles, travel patterns, and more. The objective is to identify which routes and vehicles can be electrified immediately, determine the energy and charging infrastructure requirements, and calculate the total cost of ownership of electric vehicles compared to those with combustion engines.
Conducted by experts, a fleet study delivers a critical report to guide your planning, including:
- Telematics data or vehicle logbook analysis
- Usage assessments (frequency, required range, possible charging downtime)
- Evaluation of operational sites for charging installation
- Simulation of transition scenarios
Why is it important?
As the first step in your electrification process, the fleet study offers several key advantages. First, it gives you a comprehensive, accurate, tailored, and realistic view of your operations and the implications of adding one or more electric vehicles to your fleet. It also enables informed decision-making when selecting the right vehicles and identifying both current and future charging needs. Moreover, the fleet study is an essential tool for evaluating operational and ownership costs.
Finally, the fleet study serves as the foundation for your engineering and phased electrification plans, taking into account market readiness, available subsidies in your region, and your unique operational constraints.
Start your electrification journey
In short, a well-executed fleet study should be the starting point of a sustainable, high-performing, and economically sound mobility strategy. For fleet managers, it's a must-have to avoid the pitfalls of a rushed or fragmented electrification process. The good news is : it's an eligible expense under many government grant programs. Be sure to check it out!
To get a high-quality fleet study conducted by electrification experts, contact Polara at info@polara.energy.
