Fleet Evolution: How Innovation Drives Electrification?
Summary
The article discusses the electrification of fleets and how innovation drives this evolution. It highlights the possibility of electric fleets and the rising market demand for electric vehicles.
Governments worldwide are incentivizing EV manufacturing companies to produce more such vehicles, and the adoption of EVs in fleets is gaining momentum.
The article also discusses the tech innovations behind electrical trucks or EVs, including wireless charging, multiple battery technologies, uniform charging, battery swapping, battery range, electrified roads, and prerequisites for electric fleets such as upgrading route optimization and infrastructure.
As the world is back on track after COVID-19, everyone has the same question on their tongue, whether fleets will ever become completely electrified? And it is a just question since electric vehicles are creating a fuss in the market.
They are the next-gen cars that eliminate the possibility of pollution, and thus, they are being made in huge quantities by various pioneers in the automobile sector.
But can fleets be completely electrified? The answer lies in innovation. So, read on to understand how innovation drives the electrification of fleets.
Is Electric Fleet A Possibility?
It definitely is, but it will take time. People haven’t fully grasped the concept of a self-driving car now. There are over 250 million electric cars and scooters in the market, but the number is very less compared to car owners worldwide.
After Tesla’s several EV models, many companies are on their way to creating EVs.
If you look at the market demand, it is rising, but slowly. There is a compounded growth of 7.8% in EV sales growth. It means that EVs are being adopted, though at a slower rate.
When it comes to fleets, the market is optimistic. In a developing country like India, people may be skeptical about sitting in an Uber without a driver or a public transport bus without a driver, but these doubts are being cleared slowly.
China is first in numbers in the number of vehicles, but the pioneers are countries like Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, etc. The percentage of EV vehicles is high.
Instead of the facts, the market indicates that electric fleets are possible shortly. The odds favor the EVs, and fleet management companies are also looking at a long-term vision.
What Is Inspiring EV Manufacturing Companies?
The primary focus of EV manufacturing companies was passenger vehicles, but they have now realized the potential of EVs and their adoption in fleets.
Governments worldwide are holding conferences to reduce pollution, and EVs are a way to do it.
Since they are zero-emission vehicles, governments are providing incentives to the manufacturing companies to produce more such vehicles. The consumers who buy these cars may also be eligible for subsidies.
It will require infrastructure, but the process is going on at a faster pace than you know.
The technologies that will back EVs are ready to make their debut, and you are in for a surprise. E-vehicles are the future and if you are a fleet manager, get ready for the change.
The Tech Innovations Behind Electrical Trucks or EVs
You may have heard the news that cars will be flying in the future, or they will charge merely by standing in their parking lot.
If you thought that they were mere plans, it’s time for a wake-up call. Researchers and technicians are working on technologies that will turn these possibilities into reality.
Some of which are shared below-
1.Wireless Charging
This is not just a myth but a soon-to-be-realized technology that will allow cars to be charged merely by standing in a parking lot or being in the vicinity of the charging station.
The infrastructure for such a charging technology is not working yet, but trials are being run across some countries.
Imagine parking your car in the lot, and when you come back, whoa! It is charged. Be ready for it.
2.Multiple Battery Technologies
It is not news that EVs will run on batteries. And if fleet managers are to adopt them for their long hours, they need batteries that will run for hours without charging.
Presently lithium-ion, zinc-ion, and manganese are certain battery types used in EVs, but they are costly.
Innovators are looking for materials that won’t affect the bottom line and offer sustainable options.
3.Uniform Charging
Presently, different car manufacturers have different charging technologies.
Some allow you to charge your EV at home with a Trickle charge or AC charge, while others have DC charge, but the plug-ins are different.
The aim is to create uniform charging options for every type of EV.
Technicians are working on such technologies, so you can charge anywhere at any station the same way you can get gas filled at any gas station.
4.Battery Swapping
OK, it is not as simple as changing the battery in your TV remote, but it is possible to keep more than charged batteries in your EV and swap them when one runs out of power.
5.Battery Range
Scientists are finding ways to ensure that EVs run longer than now. EVs can be successful only when there is proper infrastructure in place.
6.Electrified Roads
No, the electricity won’t run on the roads. It is a technology used in metros, where the vehicles are charged on the go.
Since the guide is all about fleet evolution, electrification of roads will inspire more fleet operators to switch to electric vehicles, as a great hurdle shall be removed from their way, charging every few hours and killing time.
7.Prerequisites For Electric Fleets
Electric vehicles are a class apart from the heavy-duty vehicles which form part of the fleets.
The whole operation can fail if the required prerequisites are not there. That’s why developing countries are hesitating in launching fully autonomous EVs.
Certain actions which are necessary for the implementation of electric fleets are-
8.Upgrading Route Optimization
Fleet operators need routes that support the new technology to make electric fleets a reality. They need effective route optimization software which allows fleet operators to solve the routing problems.
It is also an opportunity for fleet management software developers to upgrade their routing software and align it with electrification needs.
9.Infrastructure
Fleet managers will happily switch to EVs if only there is required infrastructure in place.
Ranging from roads to charging stations or charging cables, the government needs to put the basics in place to inspire fleet operators.
Also, fleet managers will need to work on smarter fleet maintenance with state-of-the-art tools and software to ensure proactive charging and maintenance of the fleet for the next day’s operations.
10.Fleet Management Software
Fleet management software is not required for monitoring the manpower, but to operate vehicles optimally.
In future, there will be an increased need for these to keep an eye on vehicles more closely as the man behind the wheels won’t be there any longer.
Should Fleet Managers Be Ready For Electrification?
Yes, electrification is closer than it seems and fleet management companies should start planning how they can switch from traditional to futuristic inventions in the fleet industry.
Final Thoughts
In the coming years, you will see a drastic shift in infrastructure, laws, regulations, customer preferences, and the way things have been the past few decades.
The future belongs to technology, and you will see a glimpse in the form of EVs and the entire fleets operating without the manpower.
The key to its success lies in the planning and implementation, which will be crucial. So, are you ready for the change?
Team VAMOSYS
Team VAMOSYS have been into GPS business since 2014 and have good experience on GPS Vehicle Tracking, Fuel Monitoring, Fleet Management and GPS Tracker Devices. Writes article on various topics to share the industry experiences and knowledge.