11 May 2022
Fleet optimisation and EV transition roadmap
We’re proud to say that Custom Fleet are the only Fleet Management Organisation on the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) panel for Consulting services.
We joined the panel in September 2021 and have been working closely with various agencies to help them build their sustainable fleet strategies ever since.
It’s been an exciting and busy time for our consulting team. Happily, everyone we’ve been dealing with wants to learn more about sustainable fleet options.
Fleet sustainability needs vary for each customer
While the end-goal is all the same, we’ve found some organisations have little knowledge or understanding of electric vehicles or how their fleet is utilised.
Others have already developed a high-level overview and needed our support validating their data, then formalising and implementing on the plan.
What’s involved in upgrading your fleet to include electric vehicles (EV)?
Our Strategic Advisory Services team completes in-depth analysis for each customer using their telematics data where available.
For customers that don’t have telematics, we use other fleet data to help them determine which vehicles may be able to transition to EV. While not as detailed, it’s a step in the right direction to help them understand where to focus first.
We work closely with our customers to understand fleet operations and consider future changes that may be planned.
This helps us identify which vehicles are suitable to transition to EV based on their role, vehicle type, location, and travel patterns.
Outcomes
For each fleet analysis our team completes, we have identified opportunities to further optimise customer fleets.
We communicate frequently with the customer during the consultation process to ensure we’re providing recommendations that are both meaningful and relevant, including:
- Identifying sustainable vehicles that are fit for purpose and will meet customer objectives (financial, H&S and sustainability goals)
- A detailed transition plan enabling them to focus on infrastructure requirements and plan replacements accordingly
Trip analysis
This is where we dig a little deeper and can show customers which vehicles are suitable to transition to EV’s.
Once we’ve identified the most appropriate types of vehicles, we model various scenarios showing the impact on CO2 emissions based on a replacement programme.
This enables customers to decide whether they choose more fuel-efficient internal combustion engine (ICE) options (often in the light commercial utility segment), make a step change to hybrids/PHEV’s initially, or move straight into EV’s.
It’s not all about data analysis though. We also share best practice information on lessons learned.
Policy review
Many organisations haven’t updated their driver policies for some time and when we review them, we find they’re out of date.
With our recommendations and guidance, they can update their policy to consider Health and Safety considerations and clearly outline roles and responsibilities relevant when operating electric vehicles.
The Strategic Advisory Services team’s part in the EV+ program is then complete.
Our product team and key infrastructure partners then get involved to help with site audits, inspections and more to support a smooth transition to a more sustainable fleet future.
Book a consultation with our team
If you’d like to learn more about upgrading your fleet with PHEV’s or EV’s, please contact our sales team.
Australia: 1800 812 681
New Zealand: 0800 4532 7464