Shell Report Examines Acceleration of Fleet Electrification
This is the third instalment in Shell's series Fleet Electrification: Finding the Road to Operational Success, which focuses on practical steps to support fleet operators in their transition to EVs. While each fleet's electrification journey is unique, three universal areas can accelerate progress: maintaining operational efficiency, managing costs, and partnering with the right experts.
Maintaining operational efficiency: Transitioning smoothly to EVs
One of the top priorities for fleet operators is ensuring that their EV fleet functions as efficiently as their existing internal combustion engine (ICE) fleet. Minimising disruptions to operations is crucial, particularly for fleets concerned about decarbonisation.
The transition to EVs requires careful planning to ensure that vehicles are ready when needed while minimising downtime.
A key strategy to maintaining efficiency is optimising driver hours and maximising vehicle utilisation. As fleets introduce EVs into their operations, operators must ensure that charging cycles fit within their daily routines. It means leveraging periods of unavoidable downtime, such as driver rest times or loading/unloading periods, to charge EVs.
To plan effectively, operators should begin by assessing the daily routines of each vehicle—whether ICE, hybrid, or EV. This includes reviewing routes, available charging infrastructure (both public and private), and the necessary recharging schedules.
A clear understanding of when and where vehicles must recharge ensures that EVs are ready for use and that the fleet is scalable according to business demands.
Public charging networks provide flexibility for fleets with less predictable schedules while on the road. However, private charging infrastructure offers greater control for delivery and operational fleets, which often use larger vehicles critical to goods and services.
With the right balance of private charging infrastructure and a reliable public charging network, fleets can more easily manage the charging process and ensure vehicles are ready for use.
Managing costs: Scaling EV infrastructure and power supply
As operators plan for fleet electrification, managing costs while ensuring operational efficiency is another critical consideration. Building the right charging infrastructure, including strategic charging locations and sufficient energy supply, is essential to a successful transition.
Fleet managers need to assess each vehicle's specific charging requirements, including connector types and energy demands. The two primary charging options—alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC)—have distinct roles in electrification.
DC charge points offer faster charging times and are seen as the future of EV infrastructure. Understanding these options and tailoring them to fleet needs is an important part of cost management.
Further, private charging infrastructure plays a significant role in helping fleets reduce operational costs. Private, fit-for-purpose charging stations ensure fleet managers have greater control over charging times and can optimise energy usage. The combination of private and public charging options enables fleets to maintain a balance of power and flexibility, essential for scaling up operations.
Partnering with the right experts: Building a robust eMobility plan
Working with the right partners is essential as fleets move towards full electrification. Fleet operators need support designing and implementing the right solutions for their needs. Collaborating with experts ensures that infrastructure is tailored to current operations and adaptable for future growth.
According to Shell's report, access to public charging infrastructure is a crucial barrier to fleet electrification. Over half (53%) of businesses with heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) report that they lack access to the necessary public charging points and 51% of fleet operators believe that increasing the availability of public charging infrastructure would significantly aid their efforts to reduce emissions.
To address this, fleets are working closely with partners to improve access to charging points and develop tailored solutions for various fleet sizes and capacities.
Building the future of fleet electrification
The success of fleet electrification depends on finding solutions that meet current and future needs. A comprehensive eMobility plan—crafted with the right partners—ensures that fleets can scale their operations, reduce costs and enhance efficiency in decarbonisation.
Stay tuned for part four of Shell's Fleet Electrification series, where we'll explore further strategies and solutions for operational success in the transition to electric fleets.
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