Because the modern EV market is less than 15 years old, there is limited data on the lifespan of today’s EVs compared to an ICE vehicle. Research and development continues, and fleet managers may soon be able to recycle their used EV batteries for a battery energy storage system to further save money. As long as you maintain general maintenance schedule as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, your EV fleet should last as long as you need.
Selecting the Right Chargers for Your EV Fleet
Once you transition your fleet completely to EVs, you’ll need to keep them charged with the right electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). While all fleets are different, generally speaking, a mixture of Level 2 chargers and Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFCs) will suffice for charging most light- or medium-duty fleets. Your specific number of chargers will depend on factors like the number of vehicles, distance traveled per route, and downtime between trips.
Level 2 chargers like the Blink Series 7 Commercial Level 2 Charging Station, which was specially designed for fleets and other large-scale charger deployments, can charge an EV in four to eight hours depending on amperage and vehicle type. This slim, dual-port charger can charge two EVs at the same time and even offers payment options if you would like to open charging to employees or public users.
A DCFC like the Blink Series 9 30kW DC Fast Charging Station or the 60-360kW DC Fast Charging Station are two faster options that can charge an EV in under an hour. While DC fast charging stations are faster, they require a significantly higher investment. Therefore, we generally recommend installing Level 2 chargers to take care of the bulk of your daily or overnight charging while vehicles are parked, and having a few DCFCs for when you need a faster charge during the day.
Blink Fleet Management
When you install Blink chargers, they will be added to the Blink Network. For fleet managers, the Blink Network provides you access to Blink Fleet Management, where you can manage and track all your vehicles, manage energy usage and charging schedules, schedule charging to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, and view environmental reports that provide summaries of CO2 reductions, barrels of oil saved, gallons of fuel saved, and millions of fuel dollars saved annually.
Mobile Charging
If your fleet has its own roadside assistance program, you can add the Blink Mobile Charger to it and avoid your fleet vehicles being stranded. Depending on the vehicle, this Level 2 charger can provide approximately one mile of driving distance per minute so you can get the stranded vehicle to the nearest available charger.
Conclusion
Electric fleet vehicles are not only cheaper to fuel, but they also require less maintenance than their internal combustion engine counterparts. This means lower maintenance costs and vehicles that do not wear out as quickly, which allows fleet managers to extend their lifespan. Ready to start planning your fleet charging? Blink walks you through the process of deciding the right number of chargers to suit your fleet. Click here to get started today.