Electric Vehicle News for Fleets

Stay up to date with current electric vehicle news 

Surprisingly, electric cars—commonly referred to as electric vehicles—date back to as early as the mid-1800’s. Despite having been available for over 100 years, electric vehicles are beginning to gain traction and popularity among fleet owners. Whether you’re planning to electrify your fleet or you’re learning about electric vehicles for the first time, staying up to date on the current events in the EV world will help you make electrification decisions down the line. 

To help keep you informed and help you decide if EVs are right for you, we’ve gathered the latest news on the electric vehicle market for fleets. 

March 2020 

NEW TOOLS TO MANAGE YOUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLEET 

March 3, 2020 via Samsara Blog

The news: Samsara announced new tools to help our global customers adapt and streamline their operations when electrifying their fleets. The new features help customers combat range anxiety, optimize EV route planning, and measure electric vehicle performance, to name a few. 

Why it matters: These new electric vehicle tools are a part of Samsara’s complete platform for fleet management and will help existing customers expand their electrification efforts. Existing Samsara fleet customers can now also take advantage of our EV suitability consulting service.

WAVE OF VAN ELECTRIFICATION AT WORK TRUCK SHOW 

March 6, 2020 via CCJ Digital 

The news: At the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, many automakers including Ford and Chevy unveiled new battery-electric vans that will be available in North America in 2022. As a part of their new investment in electric vehicles, many automakers are also investing in charging station infrastructure to create a better experience for electric vehicle owners. 

Why it matters: These new electric vehicles are good news for fleets in the fast-growing e-commerce delivery business and signal a trend that more heavy-duty electric vehicle options will become available in the coming years. The automakers’ investment in charging station infrastructure will also benefit fleets who already own electric vehicles by increasing the availability of chargers across the nation. 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE CHANGING THE FUTURE OF AUTO MAINTENANCE

March 6, 2020 via TechCrunch

The news: Automotive maintenance providers can expect to see a 35% decline in revenue over the next five years thanks to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide. Two of the top three maintenance services—oil changes and brake service—are reduced or eliminated entirely by the switch to electric vehicles. Because electric vehicles only require one-fifth the number of parts than traditional vehicles and don’t require nearly as much oil, automotive maintenance providers can expect to see a 35% decline in revenue over the next five years. 

Why it matters: While the rise of EV sales might not be good for maintenance providers and auto shops, you can expect to see significant savings on maintenance costs as an electric vehicle owner. 

February 2020 

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR FLEET FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES 

February 6, 2020 via Fleet Owner

The news: In 2016, the transportation sector in the United States became the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions with a quarter of emissions coming from trucks used in freight transportation. To offset these emissions, more and more fleets are prioritizing environmental sustainability, particularly through the adoption of electric vehicles. 

Why it matters: For fleets unsure about whether the investment in electric vehicles is worth it, make sure to focus on the total cost of ownership. With fewer moving parts to maintain and cheaper energy costs, electric vehicles provide a lot of cost-savings benefits. Look to carmakers such as Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, Kia, and Tesla to compare the benefits. 

MEASURING (AND MINIMIZING) ELECTRIC VEHICLE TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP 

February X, 2020 via Government Fleet

The news: While more and more fleet owners and organizations are realizing the cost-savings benefits of electric car ownership, calculating the total cost of ownership remains difficult. When evaluating your options, fleets should focus on purchase price and incentives, maintenance costs, fuel costs, and resale value. 

Why it matters: This news brings additional insights to fleet managers who are looking to make the switch to electric but are not sure how to start calculating the potential cost savings and ROI. To do this, pay close attention to tax credits in your state or region and be sure to evaluate the resale value of your current vehicles before you invest. 

January 2020 

EPA EYEING TIGHTER TRUCK EMISSIONS STANDARDS; 50 STATE UNIFORMITY

January 7, 2020 via CCJ Digital

The news: Just four years after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a sweeping set of regulations aimed at cutting emissions by 25% from heavy-duty trucks by 2027, EPA is eyeing new federal regulations to further tighten heavy-duty truck emissions. The agency is looking to create a “50-state program” that harmonizes emissions standards nationally.

Why it matters: Now is the time for fleets to consider switching to electric cars and electric trucks before the government mandates electrification. As more and more medium- and light-duty electric car options become available, fleets looking to stay ahead of the curve should begin planning their electrification strategy. In the United States, some options to consider are Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Cybertruck, Nissan Leaf, or Volkswagen e-Golf, among others. 

Q&A: AFTER TESTING ELECTRIC TRUCKS IN ITS FLEET, PENSKE VP TALKS PERFORMANCE AND COSTS

January 9, 2020 via CCJ Digital 

The news: Last year, truck rental company, Penske, rolled out a fleet of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks as well as DC fast charging stations throughout 2019 and found positive results.  

Why it matters: Penske’s electric vehicle pilot signals to other fleets that medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks are viable options. Learn from their valuable observations before considering making your investment in electric vehicles. 

December 2019 

2020 SET TO BE THE YEAR OF THE ELECTRIC CAR, INDUSTRY ANALYSTS SAY

Dec 25, 2019 via The Guardian 

The news: The European electric vehicle market will expand to offer more than 330 models of EVs by the year 2025. New EU rules that penalize carmakers who exceed carbon dioxide emissions of over 95mgs per vehicle will help fuel the growth of EV sales in European countries. 

Why it matters: European carmakers are now more motivated than ever to get into the electric car market, so expect to see options broaden and costs associated with electric car ownership to fall. Cars to watch out for are: Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Audi, Porsche Taycan, Fiat 500 Electric, and Citroen Ami. 

November 2019 

IT’S TIME TO DITCH YOUR GAS CAR! GREATER LA REGION TARGETS 80% EV MARKET SHARE BY 2028  

November 27, 2019 via Clean Technica

The news: The Greater Los Angeles Region is aiming to have 80% electric vehicle market share within the next eight years to reduce pollution and curb carbon emissions. Additionally, the City of Los Angeles is aiming to have 30% of all vehicles on the road be electric. 

Why it matters: State and Local Governments and other fleets with light-duty vehicles who are considering electrification may want to speed up their timelines before traditional ICE vehicles lose resale value. With the area’s transition to electric vehicles, the City estimates that it will be incredibly difficult to sell off traditional vehicles by 2027 or 2028. 

WHAT HAPPENED TO U.S. ELECTRIC VEHICLE SALES? 

November 18, 2019 via Forbes 

The news: Despite a drop in U.S. EV sales in the second half of last year, this trend is not expected to last into 2020 and the coming years. Long-term forecasts of EV sales are still smooth and government mandates and tax credit incentives will play a big role in the near-term rate of EV growth. 

Why it matters: 2020 is a good year to invest in electric vehicles and take advantage of the benefits before governments start phasing out incentives or reducing tax credits. 

Manage your EV fleet with Samsara 

Regardless of whether your vehicles run on electric, hybrid, or fuel, the expectations of your business remain the same. But without insight into vehicle state of charge, charging infrastructure, and EV efficiency, many fleet managers are left without the visibility they need to manage their EVs efficiently and effectively. 

Samsara electric vehicle features to give you remote and real-time visibility into your electric and hybrid vehicles

With our electric fleet management features, you can: 

• Combat range anxiety with real-time charging status and alerts for complete visibility into vehicle state of charge and charging status. 

• Get notified of low EV battery levels with State of Charge alerts to prevent “bricked” vehicles. 

• Optimize EV route planning with visibility into fuel, energy levels, and nearby charging stations in order to dispatch the right vehicle with sufficient battery charge needed to complete the job.

• Measure vehicle performance to ensure that all the vehicles in your fleet—whether fuel, electric, or hybrids—are performing optimally. 

• Monitor charging behaviors with visibility into EV charging history and ensure that drivers are charging at optimal hours and locations.