Electric Vehicle adoption: developing the right frameworks and policies

Vehicle selection

The EVs you choose for your fleet and your drivers must be fit for purpose.

Data indicates that most new EV models provide between 300–400kms in range. Since 2011, EV range has quadrupled, and they are now considered to be suitable for most driving scenarios.

It’s important to look at each driver’s asset class and match them to an EV model that suits their needs in terms of range (kms), re-charging times, cargo capacity, and lifecycle cost.

This information will help you shortlist units or narrow down the selection to the best options for your drivers.

Vehicle assignment

When developing your EV framework, you should outline the criteria for vehicle assignment to address a variety of situations.

You should consider implementing policies that define:

• What makes a driver eligible or ineligible to take an EV?
• How can a driver prequalify for an EV deployment?
• What to do if a vehicle needs to be reassigned
• What variables would you add if a driver is relocated?

Charging infrastructure

Home charging and workplace charging are the best solutions to re-charge EVs, as having a charger in both locations will help address range anxiety.

So, it’s important to understand the potential for your drivers to install an EV charger in their home, and for you to consider the cost versus benefit involved in home charger installations.

Incentives for Australian fleet customers

There are incentives available for our Australian customers to access government funding.

Talk to your relationship manager about Custom Fleet’s EV charger offer (available while stock lasts).

Developing your EV company policy

As part of your EV company policy, you should answer the following questions:

• Who owns the charger – the company or the driver?
• If a driver happens to leave the company, what do you do with the charger? Do you uninstall it? Do you let them keep it? What are the uninstallation costs?
• If a driver moves, will you support a charger installation at their new residence?
• Who will maintain and support the charger?

Make sure these scenarios are written into your EV policy and that all stakeholders and drivers are aware of the terms.

Whenever charging is done on site (office or depot), it’s important to communicate best practices and timetables to ensure all the vehicles in your fleet have a recharging process.

Define the best time to recharge to take advantage of cheaper electricity costs.

Custom Fleet have partnered with the largest public charging networks in Australia and New Zealand which allows our customers to leverage an extensive public charging network and use dedicated EV RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) key-fobs to seamlessly pay for charging sessions.

Charging reimbursement

A reimbursement policy with electricity billing reporting should be in place for drivers that re-charge at home or a public charging station.

Encourage drivers to charge at home as much as possible, and to charge vehicles at times of the day where energy rates are lower.

Your telematics data can collect GPS charging events, and this will be a powerful tool to make sure your drivers are compensated for energy use.

What should companies look for when selecting drivers to pilot EVs?

You’ll need several EV ambassadors amongst your fleet drivers.

Whenever you change the status quo, the first drivers you select should be those who are enthusiastic about switching to an EV.

These early adopters will enjoy the benefits of leading-edge technology that EVs bring and will speak from first-hand experience to their peers. They will also provide you with the best feedback on the process.

Gathering feedback

Driver survey

You can run surveys to identify drivers that might be interested in piloting an EV. A survey provides insights into the driver’s primary residence, and this can help to pre-qualify them for home charging. Taking the time to run a driver survey will highlight your best candidates to start an EV deployment program.

Daily distance driven

As part of your survey, you should gather information on average daily distances and driving patterns that your fleet drivers need to complete on their routes.

Your ideal EV drivers will be those who drive enough kilometres to lower variable costs, but not so many kilometres that they need to charge during the while on the road.

While analysing routes, you’ll have the opportunity to assess supporting public charging networks available to top-up their EV battery when needed.

Driving experience

Drivers that have experienced new ways of driving, such as driving a hybrid vehicle, could be a good fit for an EV deployment program.

They may appreciate driving a vehicle that is quieter and smoother. EVs provide this benefit among the many other advances!

Telematics

You can leverage our strategic consultants and telematics data to help you select your first EV drivers.

An analysis of the data can determine a set of drivers whose routes fit the EV’s range, proximity to public chargers, and environmental and special weather conditions better suited for your EV operations.

Communication is key to engaging your drivers

Once you’ve identified fleet drivers for the pilot program, setting clear expectations and introducing new processes in stages will set the tone for a smooth EV transition.

Change management, upfront planning, and laying out the framework will help increase driver support.

Conveying the role drivers play in achieving corporate sustainability goals, and the benefits of EV adoption, will add purpose to your mission and encourage participation in the program.

Key step

You’ll need an initial driver meeting to walk your EV ambassadors through the differences between operating an EV and their current internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

Giving your drivers confidence in their EV will help to set them up for a successful transition.

This can include extensive training on the new technology, and best practices to optimise range, leverage vehicle preconditioning, prolong battery life, and boost overall vehicle performance.

Overall, make that your EV adoption policies and initiatives are inclusive and consider the needs of all drivers, including any barriers they might face.

Partner with us

Arc by Custom Fleet provides clients with holistic support in EV fleet deployment.

Clients can achieve desired sustainability outcomes, while controlling costs and driving operational efficiencies.

Partnering with Custom Fleet will give you the right frameworks and policies for your EV fleet.

Want more information?

We have the experience and expertise to simplify the EV adoption process. Contact us to find out more:

• In Australia
• In New Zealand