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New AI tool pinpoints where fleets can switch to EVs

By / 3 years ago / UK News / No Comments

A new web-based automated AI tool is now available from Teletrac Navman to give fleets detailed insights of where they can deploy electric vehicles.

The EV Readiness Tool analyses all telematics data to help operators with the transition to electric vehicles

The EV Readiness Tool sits in with Teletrac’s suite of software solutions and analyses all telematics data to help operators with the transition to electric vehicles, as reports continue to indicate that sales of new internal combustion-engined cars and vans could stop from 2030.

The tool’s smart algorithms not only tell users the feasibility of switching, but also calculate the total cost of ownership of an EV switch versus the existing fleet (purchase price, residual value, taxes, insurance, maintenance, electricity costs), as well as the total CO2 and fuel savings the business would make.

The EV Readiness Tool will even recommend the ideal EV vehicles to switch to and advise on how many and what type of chargers are required to run those vehicles. It can also calculate the cost of the chargers, as well as where they should be located to optimise EV journeys.

The insights provided are powered by AI along with historical telematics data based on everything, from the average number of trips overall and per vehicle, the distance, regularity, usage times, usage patterns, and time spent moving versus idle.

The tool has already shown Stockport Homes that a large proportion of its fleet can go electric. The arm’s length management organisation manages the housing stock for Stockport Council and has  targets to have at least 60% of its fleet fully electric by 2025, to reduce CO2 emissions and become carbon neutral by 2038, in line with Greater Manchester.

Nicholas Wilson, environmental project co-ordinator at Stockport Homes, commented: “The opportunity to put the EV Readiness Tool to the test was such a valuable exercise, and the results are strong. It shows we’re able to electrify a large proportion of our fleet, and in doing so prevent CO2 emissions, improve fuel consumption, and make significant cost of ownership savings over five years. It also advised us on how many chargers to install and where. What’s more, the ease of the evaluation was really impressive – it took no time at all.”

With best practice indicating that fleets should start preparing for the switch to EVs, Barney Goffer, UK product manager at Teletrac Navman, added: “The EV Readiness Tool’s AI functionality takes the headache away for operators; it uses the power of AI to help our customers go from data to decisions and very easily see where they can electrify, making it a quicker, easier, and more informed discussion with internal stakeholders and financial decision-makers within the business as to the best road to take towards their future electric fleet.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for nearly 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.