EV Utilization Kicked Up a Notch with Telematics

We’ve covered that telematics can help enhance safety management, reduce maintenance costs, minimize fuel costs, and improve fleet utilization. In our last installment of the telematics series, Wheels Donlen wants to help you use telematics to inform your EV decisions.

Here are 4 telematics tips to get the most out of your EVs:

1. EV Charging: When a vehicle is plugged into a charger, you can keep track of the state of charge. The state of charge is a really important data point to know when observing all your EVs: those on the road and those sitting idle or being charged. With telematics, you can view the state of charge and have the best visibility of all your EVs, all at the same time. This is especially useful for fleet operators and branch managers to all be in sync and informed.
2. Home Reimbursement: Let’s say drivers decide to charge their vehicles at home. If a charger installed in a home is not connected to the internet, it can make it difficult to calculate an accurate reimbursement. So, how can companies reimburse employees for using their personal energy? Telematics data can be a key data element in home charging reimbursement.
3. Which Vehicles Are Most Suitable for EVs: Last week was all about telematics and fleet utilization. Well, telematics extends a helping hand to the electric parts of your fleet too. In many scenarios, sales vehicles are better suited for EVs than work trucks. Most fleet managers prioritize the longevity of their vehicles, and EVs are going to have the longest lifespan if charged to their maximum capacity less frequently. If you know a vehicle is needed for a 400-mile trip in the winter where you need the heater (which pulls energy from the EV battery), it might not be the best suited for an EV. However, the vehicles that are needed for multiple short trips can be a good fit for EVs. Telematics is extremely helpful here to make those determinations by analyzing trip data.
4. Battery Optimization: As a fleet professional, you want to know fuel consumption data for your ICE vehicles. With telematics, you can know more about charging data for your EVs. Where are they charging? If your fleet has different branch locations, it’s beneficial to keep tabs on where your vehicles are charging to optimize your driver’s route.What are the different costs for various charging stations? Just like with fuel prices today, you want to direct your drivers to charging stations that are the most economic. What’s the amount of charge your drivers put on the EV? Drivers should not charge to 100% every time because it can cause the battery health to decline at a fast rate as well as charging time being disproportionate. The last 20% of a full 100% charge takes much longer because the battery must cool itself during charging. You can use telematics to gauge the charging habits of your drivers.

With these telematics tips, you’ll be on the road to EV optimization. To learn more about how telematics can take your EVs to new heights, contact us today.

#Telematters.