With the EV revolution upon is, trucking companies are awash in data. Whether it be through connected trucks, advanced telematics, powerful AI systems, or other pieces of software and hardware, fleet managers are harder pressed than ever before to discover actionable data and improve fleet operations based on that data. The question now is, how do they do it? Let’s dig a little deeper into this important topic.
A Look at Managing Telematics Data for EVs
Telematics data can be a powerful tool for fleet managers looking to electrify their vehicles. It not only provides real-time GPS tracking, but also historical data. Fleet managers can access information on vehicle usage, fuel consumption, and emissions. With predictive analytics, fleet managers can plan for the pace and scope of deploying electric vehicles, compare the performance of ICE and electric vehicles, and determine the cost savings, emissions benefits, and fuel reduction benefits of electrifying their fleet over time.
One key consideration for fleet managers is choosing the best electrification options for their fleet. Telematics data can help by assessing vehicle usage and determining the sweet spot where electric vehicles offer economic payback from low operating costs. This process involves analyzing the data to determine which vehicles are a good match for specific duty cycles. It also helps in predicting how much charging would happen at each site, and what types of charging stations are needed.
Another crucial factor for fleet managers is measuring the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles. This involves analyzing acquisition costs, depreciation costs, energy costs, and maintenance costs. By comparing different models and powertrains, fleet managers can project a cost per mile from a maintenance standpoint and determine whether electrifying their fleet would provide a reasonable payback in the time that they operate the vehicles.
Using Actionable Data to Drive Decisions
Once fleet managers have applied data to vehicle purchases, total costs of ownership, and charging and power needs, the next step is to apply data to the daily operation and routing of fleet EVs. The goal is to run the most efficient fleet possible. But how does one do this? Well, it requires analyzing driving data and charging data to determine the most efficient charging and power consumption strategies.
Fleet managers can also learn from the experiences of early EV adopters. One lesson is to avoid putting EVs into low-usage scenarios to deter challenging situations. Doing this will not maximize the value and skew the performance and cost metrics for fleet EVs. Another lesson is to avoid putting EVs into shared motor pools, as this won’t accurately develop usage data on specific and consistent duty cycles. To maximize the value and return on an EV fleet, fleet managers need to figure out peak usage in specific duty cycles via telematics applications that matrix out the most efficient charging and power consumption.
The fact is this: telematics data is a powerful tool for fleet managers looking to electrify their vehicles. With predictive analytics, fleet managers can plan for the pace and scope of deploying electric vehicles, choose the best electrification options for their fleet, measure the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles, and apply data to optimize the daily operation and routing of fleet EVs. By learning from the experiences of early EV adopters and customizing an approach that runs EVs at the highest level, fleet managers can identify even more competitive advantages and reap the cost savings and environmental benefits of fleet electrification.
Why EV Infrastructure Considerations Are so Important
Another important consideration for fleet managers is managing EV charging infrastructure. Fleet operations must find the best approach in planning and choosing either a charging network or established chargers. Telematics data can help fleets understand what makes and models match certain duty cycles. Telematics can also help fleets predict how much charging will happen at each site, and what types of charging stations are needed.
In a depot scenario, fleet managers need to manage charging so that they don’t spike their costs of electrifying their fleet for demand charges or service system upgrades. They also need to manage charge points and times for those EVs that employees take home. Data collected on each vehicle can create a reimbursement program for electric costs based on geo-fenced access and areas of travel.
Fleet operations managing electric vehicles will have many different needs compared to those of internal combustion engine vehicles. The key categories of data types for electric vehicles include driving data and charging data, as they apply to use cases. EV ranges by location and fleet types are two factors informing a deployment strategy.
Adjusting Your Strategy by Fleet Type
For last-mile delivery fleets, a special added feature in the telematics software can provide a real-time dashboard to know the charging status of all EVs in the depot and which ones will be ready for the next deployments and for what distances. Fleet managers can make real-time decisions to change the charging behaviors, or the dispatching plans of those vehicles given the charging requirements. All these different use cases need a flexible solution with robust data to be able to address those needs.
Fleet managers should take time to match EVs with specific use cases. This involves understanding the vehicle usage, duty cycle, and location. For example, a taxi operator will need to know in real time the battery state of charge and vehicle location to determine if a vehicle can be dispatched to pick up a customer given where they need to go. Last-mile delivery fleets in particular need duty cycle data to match the right EVs for the best routes.
The real transition in fleet electrification results from the cost savings and environmental benefits. Collecting and applying data feeds both goals by enabling each fleet to customize an approach that runs the EVs at the highest level and identify even more competitive advantages. By leveraging telematics data, fleet managers can make better-informed decisions. This way they can optimize the efficiency of their fleet and ensure that EVs either break even or contribute to the P&L.
Telematics and EVs Work Together
Telematics data is an invaluable tool for fleet managers looking to electrify their vehicles. With predictive analytics, fleet managers can make informed decisions about the pace and scope of deploying electric vehicles, choose the best electrification options for their fleet, measure the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles, manage EV charging infrastructure, and apply data to optimize the daily operation and routing of fleet EVs. By taking the time to match EVs with specific use cases and customizing an approach that runs EVs at the highest level, fleet managers can identify even more competitive advantages and reap the cost savings and environmental benefits of fleet electrification.
Moreover, telematics data can help fleet managers to achieve sustainability goals. By analyzing vehicle data, fleet managers can reduce fuel consumption, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce emissions. With predictive analytics, fleet managers can determine the emissions benefits of electrifying their fleet over time and make informed decisions about choosing the best electrification options for their fleet.
In addition, telematics data can also help fleet managers to improve safety. By monitoring driving behavior, fleet managers can identify areas where drivers need additional training. They can also use this data to support accident reduction and improve overall safety. Telematics data can also provide insights into vehicle maintenance needs, allowing fleet managers to address issues before they become major problems.
Improved Customer Service Through Data
Finally, telematics data can help fleet managers to improve customer service. By providing real-time location and status updates on vehicles, fleet managers can provide customers with accurate delivery times and improve overall service quality. This can help to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as improve the overall reputation of the fleet operation.
In the end, telematics data is a powerful tool that can help fleet managers to achieve sustainability, safety, and customer service goals. By analyzing vehicle data, fleet managers can make informed decisions about electrifying their fleet, managing EV charging infrastructure, and optimizing the daily operation and routing of fleet EVs.
With predictive analytics, fleet managers can determine the cost savings, emissions benefits, and fuel reduction benefits of electrifying their fleet over time. By customizing an approach that runs EVs at the highest level and identifying even more competitive advantages, fleet managers can reap the cost savings and environmental benefits of fleet electrification while improving safety and customer service.