By David Hytch, technical director at PlusCharge.

David Hytch, technical director at PlusCharge

When it comes to the fleet industry, the recent buzz surrounding electric vehicles is hard to ignore. However, despite their clear potential for reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and cutting operational costs, fleet managers struggle to find the right balance between charging infrastructure, convenience, and cost. Fleet managers that are looking to make the switch from carbon fuels to electric or hydrogen vehicles need to consider the capabilities and requirements of their fleets, and despite their different focuses and needs, the whole industry agrees on one thing: charge points are in short supply.

The range of suitable EVs on the market is limited, and the lack of charge points is a significant barrier to those looking to make the switch, as not only are there not enough public charging points available, but many of them aren’t in functioning order. In addition, the public charging network can be unreliable and inconveniently located, making it difficult for fleets to depend on it for their daily operations.

But there is hope. By investing in full-service EV charging, fleets can move away from the unreliable and inconvenient public charging network, and towards a more reliable and cost-effective charging solution based on their own property but able to use the public network as needed.

What is full-service EV charging?

Full-service EV charging provides fleets with access to their own private charging networks, allowing them to charge their vehicles at their own convenience. This eliminates the need to rely on the public infrastructure and ensures that fleets have access to the charge points they need, when they need them. In addition, full-service EV charging provides fleets with the flexibility to choose how they want to charge their vehicles. This includes the ability to decide how much and when they want to draw from the grid—such that select vehicles charge faster than others—, as well as how much of the energy they use is renewable, ultimately supporting the reduction in their carbon footprint. It enables fleet managers to integrate their route planning with the charging network for in-cab use, see immediately how much energy is being used by each driver, at what time, vehicle, and route, so they can optimise their operations, energy use and maximise their profits and driver wellbeing.

Full-service EV charging from a provider with a high function, customer access-focused back office allows fleet managers to completely personalise their charge points, including factors like access to different classes of vehicles, fast charging, reservation slots, payment options, roaming across networks, and guaranteed energy for charging facilities – with automatic repair protocols to ensure constant availability of service. Successful operation and management of both drivers and EV infrastructure that allows for free access requires a system that is intelligent, flexible, and available 24/7. Full-service charging provides open interfaces to enable connection of different types of charge point and allows for the exchange of data with other company systems, which is critical to enable the ability to handle driver and customer service queries, full analysis of the usage and performance of the existing charge points, and to enhance the quality of planning for the future.

Overall, full-service EV charging is the ideal solution for fleets looking to make the switch to electric vehicles. Not only does it provide them with reliable access to charge points, but it also allows them to decide how they want to charge their vehicles, helping to reduce costs and emissions.

Fleet managers looking to make the switch to electric vehicles should put full-service EV charging at the top of their list of requirements and not just the outwardly cheapest solution. With reliable access to charge points and the ability to customise your charging solution, you can ensure that your fleet will have the charging infrastructure it needs to run smoothly.

• PlusCharge is a full-service provider of EV charging infrastructure, using renewable energy alongside a strong innovation approach. It provides charge points for fleets and their employees, and offers full operational support.