A new service that provides firms with essential insights on the most suitable electric vehicles to replace their fleet with has launched from Reflex Vehicle Hire.

The EV:IE (Electric Vehicle Information Exchange) service gives vital insights on fleet transition without the need for extensive additional analysis or research

The EV:IE (Electric Vehicle Information Exchange) service uses data about a company’s fleet and journey patterns, including telematics data, to identify cars and vans that could transition to plug-in technology immediately. It also helps to create a longer-term transition plan.

It’s part of Reflex’s suite of services that supports fleets as they transition from internal combustion-engined (ICE) vehicles in response to the Government’s 2030 ban.

The vehicle evaluation tool provides a solid platform on which fleet managers can build their EV strategy, particularly in SMEs where it can be a struggle to find the time and resource to plan for the transition to plug-in vehicles.

EV:IE generates simple, actionable insights derived from a wealth of complex data. Analysis focuses on three areas:

• EV range – EV:IE uses daily driving patterns to cross-check against currently available plug-in cars and vans that deliver the required range, even taking in the impact of payload and equipment.
• Recharging – The tool identifies daily charging requirements, where they occur, and provides valuable insights on optimum recharging time for managers, such as a quick 10-minute stop at a public charger to add the range needed for the day’s tasks.
• Cost – EV:IE avoids ‘greenflation’ through a detailed cost comparison between ICE and EV, including everything from funding to SMR. The highly detailed analysis includes variables such as the proportion of public/private charging, speed of the charging service and tariff being used. EV:IE establishes a clear TCO comparison between current models and potential replacements.

A final vital element of the service is an environmental impact summary, with a full calculation of potential CO2 savings from making the switch.

Lisa Spong, Reflex Vehicle Hire sales director, said: “EV:IE saves managers hours of work trawling through data; instead, we provide an immediate vision of the future, with vital insights on fleet transition without the need for extensive additional analysis or research by under-resourced fleet departments. Our innovation provides a solid foundation on which to build the future of fleet, allowing managers to maintain their focus on day-to-day operation of safe and efficient vehicles.”

The new service is the result of more than a year of discussions with fleet operators and forms part of the Reflex Vehicle Hire EV ecosystem, which can support every aspect of transition, from securing the latest electric vehicles to installing charging point infrastructure, introducing payment solutions and linking to management software.

Aaron Cawrey, head of fleet, added: “Our early intervention to support electric vehicle adoption means more than one million miles have been driven in zero-emission capable vehicles from Reflex Vehicle Hire. EV:IE is the latest stage in our campaign to support the industry’s transition while ensuring fleets remain safe and efficient, whichever fuel they use.”