Understanding how to manage electric vehicles can help fleet managers reduce payback periods

The idea of getting an electric vehicle (EV) is an exciting one.  Not only are plug-in vehicles environmentally friendly but they are also an interesting new technology.  Despite their attraction, fleet managers may be hesitant to try one out.  Adding an EV to your fleet is supposed to have financial benefits, like reduced operating costs for fuel and maintenance; however, without being sure of these savings the initial price tag is often too high to make the jump.

Perhaps you added a plug-in vehicle to your fleet like a Nissan Leaf, or a Chevrolet Volt, just to try out how electric vehicles work for you.  This car is a way to test the water before making a more significant investment.

Fleets with that first electric vehicle sometimes face frustration and disappointment when trying to use it.  Sometimes it’s just not the right vehicle for the job, but often it is due to a disconnect between what fleet managers feel they should know about one of their assets and what they actually know and act upon.

As much as everyone wants to see an electric car exactly the same as a conventional one, they can’t. The differences we find aren’t inadequacies, but without recognizing these differences fleet managers are not able to get the benefits of plugging in.  In order to fully realize all of the great aspects that come along with having an EV in your fleet, you need to be smart about how you use it.

Lessons from early adopters on how to make plug-in vehicles work for your fleet

We have had several webinars in the past with helpful tips for fleet managers for some common issues like how to handle hot and cold weather in an electric vehicle, or the best practices for plugging in.  Throughout these webinars we have found that there are several tips that can help fleet managers reduce the payback period for electric vehicles no matter what the particular aspect.

In the last year we have worked with over 40 organizations that are in the process of integrating electric vehicles into their fleet.  These vehicles are in a variety of applications and locations across North America.  On Tuesday April 16, 2013 at 2 pm we are having a webinar where we are going to detail the lessons we have learned from these early adopters and key takeaways for fleets that are considering purchasing an electric vehicle or already have some within in their fleet. If you are interested in learning more about how to make electric vehicles work for your fleet, join us for this free live webinar by registering at the link below.

Register Here!

Tuesday, April 16th, 2pm-3pm EDT

This webinar is provided at no cost to you, however spaces are limited so we recommend registering right away to reserve your spot.

CEV for BC

On December 1^st 2011 the Clean Energy Vehicles (CEV) for BC incentive program was created. The program was designed to encourage the people of British Columbia to purchase an alternative fuel vehicle.  The program was set to expire on March 31^st of this year, However we are happy to announce that the incentive has been extended an extra year!

Incentives are important to the mainstream adoption of clean energy vehicles such as the fully electric Nissan Leaf. The incentive gets the product into the hands of the early adopters who can then champion the technology for the rest of the population. The extension of the program clearly shows that the BC government is committed to the mainstream adoption of alternative fuel vehicles.

“Extension of the purchase incentive, along with the on-going rollout of public charging stations in BC are making plug-in vehicles and even more appealing option to BC residents. This is a strong example of how the BC government is keeping more dollars and jobs in the province by helping people fill up their vehicles with home- grown BC energy.” –Matt Stevens (Electric Mobility Canada Chairman)

Everyone here at FleetCarma is excited that the program has been extended in one of the Canadian hotbeds for alternative fuel vehicles, and wish it continued success in the following year.

You can learn more about the program on its official site here http://www.cevforbc.ca/

Have you ever stopped to think how much you’re spending on gas? When I ask most people what they spend each year on gas they usually respond with a weekly amount. This is because many of us pull into the gas station without giving much thought to the expense.  We turn off the engine, insert the card, fill up and drive away. $50 a week seems like a small amount but over the course of the year you will spend $2,600 dollars. Most people I speak to are in disbelief when you take their weekly amount and simply multiply it by 52 weeks.

I am the biggest offender of gas pump amnesia. Every month when the credit card bill is due I am reminded of just how much I am spending on gas. My problem is not that I drive long distances or that I have a lead foot the problem is my 2001 Oldsmobile Alero (with the added bonus of having a V6).  I recently used our new MyCarma app, a mobile application that shows how much you are spending on gas based on how you drive, to determine that my Alero is getting 12.9 L/100km (22 mpg).  The worst part about discovering my personal fuel economy was that I actually have a very high ecodriver and ecoroute score. The money I’m spending at the pump is no fault of mine but rather the result of an old inefficient car.

Using the MyCarma app I am able to see my current fuel consumption, but also the fuel economy I could expect to see in a new vehicle based on how I drive. The app generates a fuel economy sticker for each vehicle I’m considering to buy instead of relying on a generic fuel economy sticker that is displayed in the vehicle show room. I was surprised to find out that I could cut my yearly fuel spending in half by moving into a new vehicle (not even a hybrid). If I drive a Mazda 3 the same way I drive my Alero I could cut my fuel expenditure from $1,600 to $700 or 56%.

The MyCarma app aims to inform all drivers of how much they really spend on fuel and show them how much they could save in their next vehicle. The app is now in the final round of a US White House sponsored competition. If you like the idea of getting a personal fuel economy rating and knowing what you could save in your next vehicle, let the government know by voting for us!

Vote for MyCarma Here!

Also generate your own fuel economy sticker with our app.

Get the App!