New advice to help fleet managers tackle the challenge of onboarding electric vehicles is now available from Venson.

Venson says making the switch to fully electric vehicles is not as simple as changing the options available to drivers, and there a number of issues that fleets should consider

While fleets are becoming increasingly electrified, making the switch to fully electric vehicles is not as simple as changing the options available to drivers, according to the fleet management firm, whose recent white paper on ‘Living with your electric vehicle’ gives further guidance.

Key challenges include convincing decision-makers and office managers to give the green light to installing charging points in the workplace.

It also warns that fleet managers need to be sure they understand and can demonstrate the business benefit and can identify vehicles that meet the various needs of company car drivers in terms of range capabilities.

To help fleets, Venson has published its five-point EV onboarding checklist:

• Get business buy-in – Having decision-makers on board from the outset will be invaluable later, so present your case and the business benefits clearly, and keep them updated as plans develop.
• Do your research – You need a full understanding of current requirements, future expectations, available options and the cost and benefits each will bring. Understanding drivers’ attitudes and openness towards switching to an EV will also be valuable.
• Make a plan – Include all stages of the transition to fully-electric, the costs involved (including for implementing charging infrastructure) and realistic timelines. Include space for test drives and opportunities for drivers to find out more about living with their electric vehicle.
• Consider a pilot scheme – A small-scale test run transition will help show up any details that have been missed, and pain points that could be difficult to resolve once the scheme is active for the whole fleet.
• Go live and monitor – When the transition launches it is important that it is closely monitored for teething problems, or areas where improvements could be made to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Also understanding if the EV programme is delivering what was intended.

Alison Bell, marketing director at Venson Automotive Solutions, said: “Electric vehicles are becoming more mainstream, more affordable and more practical, and there is a wealth of information available to fleets still struggling to make the shift.

“The Association of Fleet Professionals and the Electric Vehicle Association England are both good sources of information, and our latest white paper offers insights, advice and information on the pros, cons and practical considerations for electrifying a fleet. Those fleet operators that are quick to adapt their company car lists will be the first to dramatically cut business costs and meet their environmental targets.”

To download a copy of Venson’s ‘Living with your electric vehicle’ guide, click here.