The biggest pain points in transitioning to EVs and how to mitigate them

The Most Common Pain Points

Steep Initial Costs

Due to the EV market only recently entering maturity, there is a high upfront investment for transitioning a fleet. At present EVs are generally more expensive than their ICE counterparts. This is due to them being a newer technology and thus fewer factories capable of manufacturing them, coupled with a smaller selection of models means that they are more expensive.

Meanwhile, costs are also incurred by the need for new infrastructure. Unlike a simple fleet upgrade, EVs must be charged rather than refuelled. This necessitates a whole new set of infrastructure to be installed as the existing ICE infrastructure cannot be utilised by them. 

Space and Power

As with any infrastructure project, the key issues are whether the proposed site has enough space and power to ensure the smooth operation of processes. Planning permissions will need to be obtained before any ground can be broken. Meanwhile, the chargers, must be placed carefully so that they do not block access for other vehicles.  Ensuring that you have enough space to install such infrastructure can be a challenge, while also ensuring compliance with local laws. 

Due to EVs requiring charging, this also puts further pressure on the site’s energy capacity. Many fleet operators are unsure of whether the proposed site has an adequate power supply to charge their fleet of vehicles. Furthermore, ensuring that the chargers are correctly connected to the Grid can also cause headaches.

Total Ownership Cost (TCO)

EV fleets have only really begun to become widespread recently, this can make it difficult to account for long-term savings in comparison to short-term expenditures. Without the experience, businesses can struggle to understand the full financial picture and can feel left in the dark. 

This inexperience can also lead uncertainty on what the hidden costs might be. How much is the maintenance of an EV over its lifespan? How much are infrastructure upgrades going to cost? There are many unforeseen circumstances that can make fleet operators apprehensive about transitioning. 

A Path Forwards

With over nine years of experience, Mer has set up a dedicated Design and Consultancy service to address these pain points for fleet operators. There is no one size fits all solution for transitioning to EVs, instead it must be taken on a case-by-case basis. Through our experience across mainland Europe and the UK, we have found several solutions to these pain points, each of which has been proven to pay off for our clients. 

Fleet Optimisation

Just like with an ICE fleet, selecting the right vehicles is of the imperative. By using data driven insights, Mer’s team helps fleet operators to select the optimal vehicle for the job. To achieve this, duty cycles and operational demands are carefully scrutinised to identify which vehicles are best suited for electrification. 

The result of this process is a fleet well optimised to save costs and maximise efficiency. This helps to ensure that fleet operators can make well informed decisions about the makeup of their fleet and to insulate their investment from losses, while delivering the best value for money. 

A Clear Picture of the Cost

Mer’s team will build a transition analysis, which will provide a clear picture of the financials involved in an EV fleet transition project. This stage helps our clients to budget accordingly through a detailed breakdown of the costs and savings. 

Meanwhile, part of the process includes a cost-benefit analysis. This also helps fleet operators to plan for longer-term contingencies such as unscheduled maintenance and other unexpected costs. For instance, by integrating renewable energy sources into the transition project, additional costs could be saved in the long-term as well as boosting the sustainability of the project. 

Smart Planning

Our design and consultancy service is a full end-to-end solution, covering everything from site surveys to civil engineering plans and regulatory assistance. None of these processes are universal and must be applied differently to each fleet, these differences are identified within the transition analysis by our experts. From there worries about space can be alleviated through surveys and detailed 3D modelling, helping to identify potential issues before any work is carried out, while illuminating potential solutions. 

Energy concerns are also considered, our consultants can help to create customised infrastructure to meet the power needs of the fleet for a cost-sensible solution. The planning can also help to predict the energy requirements of the vehicles and chargers, helping to plan budgets and additional infrastructure needs. 

Overall, through expert assistance and careful planning many of the main pain points that concern fleet operators can be mitigated or avoided. Mer has a wealth of experience in assisting fleet operators in their journey to fleet electrification, download our Essential Guide to Designing Your EV Fleet Charging Infrastructure to get started on your infrastructure journey.