The resistance to the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in fleets can be summed up with the phrase ‘Range Anxiety.’ That’s the worry that an EV will run out of charge before reaching its destination or a charging station. For many fleet reliant organisations, it’s also a major reason to resist investing in electrification. This concern affects not just drivers but fleet managers responsible for scheduling and route planning.
However, the shift to EV seems to be both inevitable and necessary. So how valid is range anxiety and how can managers understand and overcome the challenges it poses?
EV Range Anxiety and Fleet Management
Range anxiety is worse in a fleet context, where vehicle uptime and the ability to cover assigned routes efficiently is a non-negotiable. And it’s not an arbitrary concern or a stubborn resistance to change. Early electric vehicles had a much more limited range capacity, which made them totally unsuitable for long-distant, commercial use. When you couple this with the reality that charging infrastructure is still not where it should be, it’s easy to see where range anxiety comes from. The idea that an eLCV (electric Light Commercial Vehicle) or eHDV (electric Heavy-Duty Vehicle) could be left stranded without a charge in the middle of nowhere, with no quick, cheap solution and the clock ticking, is enough to put any transport employee off.
However, there have been huge steps forward in EV range, which might make these fears less valid than they seem.
The Evolution of Electric Vehicle Range
Today, the landscape of EV capabilities has transformed dramatically. Modern eLCVs are now capable of covering about 300 km on a single charge, more than sufficient for urban delivery services which typically require 50–150 km per day. This development is significant considering that 70% of non-electric LCVs in European urban transport travel less than 100 km per day.
For eHDVs, which often need to travel longer distances, advancements in battery technology and vehicle design have similarly extended their range. Many new models can travel more than 500 km, suited perfectly for routes between depots or distribution centres that are planned efficiently.
In light of the constant improvements to EVs, range anxiety becomes a less grounded problem. Crucially, it becomes a challenge that can be overcome given the right approach.
Overcoming Range Anxiety
Even though range anxiety is not the sensible reaction that it once was, EV champions still have some work to do to overcome it. Based on what we’ve seen, here’s some key area for them to focus on.
Fleet Analysis:Using Telematics, it’s possible to have a very exact understanding of the distances that an EV will need to travel and of the charge points it will or can pass. Using telematics data, you might find that the dreaded prospect of a stranded vehicle is practically extremely unlikely. Or, you might find that it’s a real possibility with certain EVs, and that you’ll need to invest in more advanced models. Or start by using EVs for shorter distances. However, without the data, it’s more guesswork than any Fleet Manager should be comfortable with!
Charging Strategy:
The government, helped along by advocates within the transport industry, need to continue to expand charging infrastructure in the UK and Ireland. However, there is something practical that fleets can do to greatly improve the practical application of EVs - Depot based charging. Unlike traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, large-scale on-site refuelling is a real possibility for EV fleet vehicles, a prospect that could make a huge difference.
Real-time Optimisation:
EV rollouts can be rapid or gradual, but as infrastructure grows, fleet management software is the best way of optimising EV efficiency in real-time. Notifications can
Driver Training:
A lot of the driving behaviours that save fuel in a diesel will save fuel in an EV. So an efficient driver will carry on being efficient in his or her shiny new eHDV. But for long EV journeys, inefficient drivers could be a bigger problem than ever. Not only will the journey cost more, they could end up stranded without a charge point. Telematics is a great way of optimising driver behaviour, both in real-time and in performance reviews.
Data Driven EV Adoption
With the rapid improvements in EV technology and the growing deployment of tailored charging infrastructure, the scenario of electric vehicles being stranded due to depleted batteries is becoming outdated. Fleet managers equipped with the right tools, strategies, and technologies can confidently transition to electric fleets, reaping the benefits of lower costs and reduced environmental impact while leaving behind the concerns of the past.
Having said that, we are still not in a position where fleets can make drastic changes that aren’t strategically planned out. Every EV vehicle added to a fleet should be the result of careful data analysis. In taking this approach, it is possible to reap the benefits of EV without putting the business or organisation at risk.
