EV route planning comes with a different set of order management challenges than for fleets with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Two primary challenges with EV fleets are:
- Electric vehicle range – It’s essential to take charging station availability into account. When it comes to planning, you’ll want to be highly strategic in determining when and where to charge your vehicles, be it at private and/or public charge points.
- Private infrastructure costs – Businesses interested in setting up private chargers might face high investments and grid connection limitations, adding complexity to planning processes.
Tackling these challenges requires innovative solutions tailored specifically for EV fleets. So in this post, we’ll look at the importance of route optimisation, along with factors to consider. We’ll also highlight how advanced technology can help you maximise efficiency in your EV route planning, leading to cost savings for your fleet.
The importance of EV route optimisation for fleets
Route optimisation plays a pivotal role in maximising energy efficiency and minimising operational costs for EV fleets. By optimising routes, businesses can significantly reduce driving distances, resulting in lower charging and energy requirements.
Then there’s customer satisfaction. In a recent survey, we asked fleet managers what was most important to their customers. Nearly half of our survey participants (46%) said that accurate estimated times of arrival (ETAs) matter most to their customers. A good EV route-planning tool can help fleets provide reliable ETAs and improve customer satisfaction.
Businesses that embrace EV route optimisation stand to reap a range of benefits. For instance:
- By reducing fuel and electricity costs, companies can achieve significant savings.
- Optimised routes improve vehicle utilisation, reducing idle vehicles and increasing efficiency.
- On-time deliveries become more consistent, contributing to enhanced customer service. Ultimately, EV route optimisation serves as a catalyst for improving overall operational efficiency, benefiting both the company and its clientele.
3 aspects of EV route planning for fleets
1. Know your vehicle and process specifications while checking for external factors
When planning routes for EV fleets, several key factors must be considered to ensure optimal results. These factors include: vehicle range; charging station availability and locations (both private and public); traffic patterns, temperature and road conditions (e.g., inclination); towing requirements, cargo weight and delivery time windows. In carefully considering these factors, you can finetune your EV route planning, minimising energy consumption and maximising your success with order planning.
2. Tap the power of technology for smart EV route optimisation
Advanced technologies like route-planning software and algorithms are crucial to optimising routes for EV fleets. These cutting-edge tools factor in multiple variables, from vehicle range and charging infrastructure availability to real-time traffic data and delivery constraints. By leveraging such technologies, your business can develop efficient and intelligent route plans that save time and resources.
3. Integrate with charging infrastructure
Integrating your fleet’s EV route planning with charging infrastructure is vital for seamless operations. How? When you consider charging time and availability as you’re optimising routes, you can avoid range anxiety and unnecessary delays. This integration encompasses both private charging solutions, such as smart charging routines, and public charging infrastructure conveniently located along the planned routes. An integrated approach ensures that your electric vehicles remain adequately powered throughout their journeys.
Capitalise on EV route optimisation
In a rapidly evolving B2B landscape, EV route planning and optimisation have become indispensable to fleets wanting to boost profits and rise above the competition.
Need help making the most of your EV route planning? Webfleet customers with EVs in their fleets can manage everything in one place and on one platform, from planning orders to optimising routes. Fleet managers can also integrate Webfleet tools with their own charging infrastructure.
How efficient are Webfleet’s EV fleet management solutions? They led to two GUINNESS WORLD RECORDTM titles for the longest journey by an electric van on a single charge in 2023 and another with a car in 2024 (though our latter record was surpassed by a driver in India, in September 2024—which goes to show how much EV route planning and optimisation matter).
Having the right optimisation tools in place will also make it easier to comply with environmental legislation. With the Webfleet CO2 Report, for instance, any type of fleet can quickly and accurately meet reporting requirements for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures.
Maybe you’re not sure where to start and could use some expert advice. In that case, just book a free consultation with us at a time that’s convenient for you.
