Every company has individual mobility needs and requirements for its vehicle fleet. Nevertheless, most companies can benefit from electric mobility. However, the e-fleet requires somewhat different planning than a combustion engine fleet. For optimal implementation, the vehicles, the necessary charging infrastructure and optimised fleet management, among other things, must be taken into account.
Electrification of your own fleet in just a few steps!
1. Carry out a mobility analysis or have it carried out
The first step towards an e-fleet is usually a determination of individual mobility needs, i.e. total daily mileage, individual routes, planned or unplanned trips, parking situations during the day and at night. From this, among other things, an optimal mix of charging infrastructure in the depot, public charging points or employee charging (against remuneration) at home can be derived.
2. Optimised fleet according to technical and economic aspects.
| ⬜ | Travel demand and range (average, frequency / distance of "spontaneous trips") |
| ⬜ | Personnel allocation of vehicles or open pool |
| ⬜ | Consideration of alternative mobility modules (bike sharing, public transport tickets, etc.) |
| ⬜ | TCO consideration (e.g. comparison of operating costs, residual values of e-vehicles vs. diesel) Compliance with the charging station ordinance |
3. The selection of an e-vehicle
(Aspects that should be taken into account when making a purchase decision)
| ⬜ | Range incl. buffer for winter/summer use (air conditioning, heating, battery capacity) |
| ⬜ | Energy-efficient air conditioning (steering wheel contact heating, seat heating) |
| ⬜ | Buy or rent battery |
| ⬜ | Vehicle weight and payload |
| ⬜ | Charging plugs and adapters (CCS or CHAdeMO, Schuko emergency charging, AC and DC charging power) |
| ⬜ | Options and costs for customer service / maintenance |
| ⬜ | Insurance with special E-conditions |
| ⬜ | Possible subsidies from the federal, state or regional governments. |
4. The use of e-vehicles
| ⬜ | Technical know-how (kWh vs. kW, energy consumption, charging plugs/power/times) |
| ⬜ | Charging in the depot and at public charging points (charging cards and other authorisation options) |
| ⬜ | Locating charging stations (charging station finder, lists with "charging stations in the vicinity" |
| ⬜ | Raising awareness of "actual" ranges |
| ⬜ | Technical and financial framework for home charging |
| ⬜ | Energy-efficient driving behaviour |
5. The right parking space design
| ⬜ | Goals, target groups and intended use |
| ⬜ | Number and charging power suitable for the parking situation |
| ⬜ | Location of the charging pole (accessibility, restriction, gatekeeper) |
| ⬜ | Possibility of reservation for e-vehicles only |
| ⬜ | Collision protection |
| ⬜ | No (traffic) obstruction in the charging process (e.g. free access routes, visibility) |
| ⬜ | Colour marking and signage of the parking area |
| ⬜ | Securing the path (e.g. clearing snow) |
| ⬜ | Lighting and safety (e.g. can be used at any time during the night) |
| ⬜ | Energy supply (e.g. grid connection, energy management, reporting to the grid operator) |
| ⬜ | Integration of protection and rescue forces, public order office etc. (especially in public spaces) |
| ⬜ | Service providers (technical inspection, hotline, maintenance) |
| ⬜ | Follow-up costs (maintenance costs, backend, securing paths, etc.) |
| ⬜ | Possible subsidies from the federal government, state or regional governments |
6. The correct use of an e-parking system
| ⬜ |
Accessibility (internal use only or public access) Internal use only: charging pole ordinance not relevant |
| ⬜ |
Costs for electricity supply (free of charge or against payment) Payment: charging station ordinance relevant, including ad hoc access |
| ⬜ | Instruction / training of persons on site (porters, caretakers, reception etc.) |
The mobility development shows that the electrification of the vehicle fleet is necessary. Therefore, fleet managers or entrepreneurs should keep this prospect in mind in order to make a sustainable decision regarding fleet equipment. These six steps will help with the decision and implementation. In addition, the inclusion of a partner can be helpful, who always supports them from the planning to the installation.
If you have any questions on the topic of electromobility and vehicle fleets, we are always at your side as a competent contact partner!