ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: Electrify and optimise: Digital solutions at the forefront of decarbonisation

Date: Friday, May 10, 2024

By Beverley Wise, Webfleet Regional Director for Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.

As the UK continues its ambitious march towards a sustainable future, the decarbonisation of van fleets continues to emerge as a critical task for fleet operators.

Regulations phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles remain firmly on the horizon, with the ZEV mandate compelling manufacturers to act and adapt.

The advancements in electric van technology have been impressive, with newer models achieving significantly extended ranges, enhancing their practicality for business use.

A strategic business model

But the increasing urgency to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is not just driven by regulatory pressures – it is a strategic consideration for enhancing operational efficiency and corporate reputation.

Advanced fleet management solutions, such as Webfleet, play a pivotal role here in easing this transition, demonstrating their value through data-driven insights and continual innovation.

Webfleet’s newly launched EV Transition Tool epitomises Bridgestone Mobility Solutions’ commitment to facilitating fleet electrification.

This innovative platform helps businesses assess their readiness for EV adoption, estimating the total cost of ownership and operational savings.

It also connects users with leading industry partners for effective charging solutions, streamlining the electrification process and ensuring operational continuity.

Data insights optimising fleet performance

Such developments are making telematics platforms indispensable in the electrification era. They offer a suite of tools designed to optimise fleet performance, reduce costs and support environmental goals. The total cost of ownership for electric vehicles is, consequently, becoming increasingly favourable.

From the outset of a van fleet’s EV journey, telematics solutions can offer planning reports that reveal typical mileage and journey patterns. This data helps fleet managers identify which vehicles could be switched to electric alternatives and assess the need for public, home or business charging infrastructure, based on where vehicles spend most of their time.

Once operational, fleet management data becomes crucial for ensuring that EVs are fully
charged and ready when needed, with minimised downtime.

Real-time monitoring of battery levels and driving ranges, comparison of energy performance across vehicles and analysis of energy recovered through regenerative braking are all facilitated by these systems. They enable fleet operators to identify inefficiencies and direct drivers to the nearest charging stations efficiently.

The technological advancements in telematics do not stop at monitoring and analysis. Innovations continue to enhance the support for EV fleets. For instance, Webfleet’s Charger Connection Report provides visibility over vehicles’ charging statuses and remaining charging times, which helps ensure that drivers adopt the most cost-effective charging practices.

Additionally, EV routing can be optimised by taking account of vehicle battery levels, capacity, energy consumption and charge point locations.

With such advanced digital tools in place, the electrification of van fleets becomes not only more manageable but also more cost-effective and seamless.

As we move forward, the integration of these technologies is sure to become the standard, highlighting the critical role of digital transformation in achieving sustainable transport solutions.

This transformative journey will be further showcased at the forthcoming Fleet Decarbonisation Live event, hosted by Webfleet at the Bridgestone HQ on 3 June.

The event promises to equip fleet operators with the insights and tools necessary for their sustainability efforts, featuring expert discussions and live debates.

Call 0208 822 3605 or visit www.webfleet.com

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