Fleet analysis: How to recognise the potential for e-mobility!

CHECKLIST: THESE 7 STEPS TO FLEET ANALYSIS

With the help of our checklist, you can get an initial overview of your existing vehicle fleet and assess the extent to which a partial or complete conversion to electric mobility may be worthwhile.

FUHRPARK

1. How many fleet locations are to be converted?
2. How many (old) vehicles could be replaced by electric vehicles?
3. What is the average daily range of the fleet?
4. How and what do your employees use the vehicles for?
5. How and when can you train your staff?
6. Where do you park your vehicles outside business hours?
7. Do you need support with fleet analysis?

In the following paragraphs we will explain the individual steps again in detail, where necessary. Project manager Maximilian Schwarze from Intrasol GmbH in Nordhausen answered our questions and explains the most important steps for fleet analysis thanks to practical experience. InTraSol - Intelligent Traffic Solutions GmbH designs, plans and projects concepts for the market development of electric mobility, car sharing and renewable energies throughout Germany.

TALK TO THE EMPLOYEES

A serious decision that is made for the whole team requires sensitivity. Not every employee will be enthusiastic about innovations right from the start. To avoid internal differences within the company, it is worth involving all colleagues from the very beginning. If you are interested in the topic of electromobility, set up a team meeting - at the beginning, even in a small group with selected managers. "Find out the attitudes of your employees," recommends Maximilian Schwarze from the engineering firm Intrasol, "address reservations constructively and try to accept aversions and change them step by step." Then describe your plan and let your employees express concrete concerns and wishes. Together you can evaluate the previous usage behaviour of company vehicles. Also address economic and environmental factors that entail a change. Communicate why this is an issue close to your heart. "We essentially distinguish between three intentions for the use of e-cars," explains project manager Schwarzer.

"With economic intention, you mainly replace the vehicles that can achieve the most cost benefits. Ecological intention focuses on which cars will achieve the most ecological improvement. And with employee-oriented intention, you replace the cars in such a way that your employees are satisfied and you get a plus in productivity," the project manager continues.

"If your employees still have doubts, the best way to counter fears and uncertainties is practically," Schwarzer continues. Organise an information workshop and make e-cars available for a few weeks. In addition to rental companies and car dealerships, municipalities and energy providers such as SachsenEnergie also offer e-cars for testing. The energy providers are also happy to support you with fleet analyses. For example, the experienced experts determine transparently and comprehensibly by how much CO2 emissions can be reduced (keyword: CO2 price!) and operating costs lowered.

HOLISTIC FLEET ANALYSIS: THIS IS HOW IT CAN PAY OFF

Determine different scenarios, for example a minimum and a maximum conversion and how this can be economically worthwhile in the medium or long term, not only for the environment but also for you.

Michael Schwarzer is aware of the economic factors of the conversion: "E-cars are usually more expensive as an investment, as they often have a higher gross list price than comparable combustion models. Thanks to tax breaks and subsidies, however, this can be put into perspective. The actual operating expenses for e-cars are then mostly cheaper due to lower maintenance costs, longer maintenance intervals as well as the significantly lower fuel costs."

Nevertheless, such a cost breakdown can never be complete, as it leaves out other benefits, such as the image gain or the advantage of becoming more attractive as an employer.