| News | Fleet

How Can Design Consultancy Streamline EV Fleet Transitions ?

How can companies accurately plan for a switch to an electric vehicle fleet? Cameron Galloway details how Mer's strategic approach can support any fleet transition.
Many white vans parked in rows

Transport underpins the success of many UK businesses, and keeping a fleet on the move is essential. With emissions targets to reach, and operations to maintain, how can British companies accurately plan for a switch to electric vehicles?

Today, Cameron Galloway, Design Manager for Fleet and Workplace Charging at Mer UK, describes how a circular approach creates the right strategy for EV fleet transition projects.

Although many organisations have already embraced change, some don’t know where to start. Increasingly, we see that limited in-house expertise is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.

This lack of industry specific knowledge is not a showstopper, though.

Charge Point Operators (CPOs) provide consultancy and design expertise to simplify the process. We understand the complexities of electric vehicles, from chargers to logistics planning, and after analysing the current situation, we help fleet owners move to EV in a realistic timeframe.

Managing an EV Fleet Transition

Migrating from a diesel or petrol fleet to electric requires a 360-degree approach; just like any effective project plan, there is an underlying need to review progress at regular intervals.

Here is an example of a robust fleet transition plan:

  1. understand specific business goals
  2. assess the timeframe
  3. perform a feasibility study to ensure goals are achievable and realistic
  4. create a plan with measurables for review with stakeholders
  5. review, revise, and refine to streamline implementation
  6. check measurables regularly and be prepared to flex with business needs

Whilst the commitment to changing a fleet might seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. By building a relationship with experts and including key personnel, the process can be pain-free.

Risks Associated with Planning an Electrified Fleet

It is a privilege to partner with UK businesses who are updating their fleet. The diversity of what they do makes every project unique, but it’s also the reason a full risk assessment of the current situation is essential. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to any complex problem.

Realistically, a minimum of a five-year plan for mid-sized fleets is sensible, and consideration should go to the risks that go far beyond financial outlay:

  • lack of chargepoints
  • not meeting outbound deliveries
  • supply chain breakdowns
  • lack of logistical control
  • EV range limitation

leading to:

  • reduced income
  • increased costs
  • damage to reputation
  • decreased profits

The certainty that operations will run smoothly, and cash flow will remain healthy is invaluable, and that’s where a CPO provides peace of mind.

Key Stakeholders in an EV Fleet Migration Project

Let’s start with stakeholders and what they need reassurance around.

Fleet Manager

Typically interested in the vehicles and ensuring they are roadworthy.

Operations Manager

Gets people, products, and vehicles where they need to be, on schedule.

Procurement Manager

Approves purchases that fulfil products and services efficiently.

Sustainability Manager

Considers the Carbon Footprint of the business and oversees audit requirement.

Facilities Manager

Responsible for buildings and property; including the location of chargers.

HR Manager

Staff wellbeing and retention are key, including company car policy.

…while board members are mostly concerned with profits.

Each department has its own needs, so a consensus must be reached. When we visit our clients, we bring internal experts together to find shared solutions. It’s what we’re good at, but 100% of support from every Head of Department is critical to success.

The potential outcome of not adopting this approach is a decrease in output, where inadequate chargepoints, inappropriate vehicles, and poor logistical control puts revenue at risk.

But when done well, the comradery gained from a combined effort can seep into the culture of your business. Happy staff are productive and unafraid to suggest improvements.

The main goal may be to update the fleet but by taking a whole company view you allow for organisation-wide improvements.

Adapting to Change in the EV Market and Beyond

The EV market is developing at speed, both in the UK and globally. Recent years have taught us that unrest on foreign shores affects our fuel prices, and technological advances in Asia come thick and fast.

For every part of your business you control, there will be unexpected challenges that you can’t.

Make plans aligned with your business goals, but always revert to a baseline. and check that your original measurables are still realistic. Operational difficulties, successful tender bids, and staffing requirements can shift your focus at a moment’s notice, so make sure you have a project review schedule from the outset.

Electric Vehicle sales in the UK continue to grow, and whilst the commercial element is lagging, there is a flow of different market players to choose from. Of course, you need your vehicles to be fit for purpose, but as your EV implementation plan comes to fruition, check the latest models. You can ask us to help you with this too or read our latest Market Outlook.

Design-Driven EV Fleet Consulting

Establishing a baseline is essential for a successful fleet migration, and an all-party session that serves to define requirements is the starting point. Similarly, a collaborative approach to finesse the business outlook at completion must occur.

Inclusion of a CPO in such discussions helps to form trust, and it allows people like us to share our expertise during brainstorming. For example, we might ask:

  • How will drivers use this?
  • How is charging going to fit into their workday?
  • How would we integrate charging infrastructure into this site?
  • Have you considered Health and Safety? Will you need more sprinklers?

Ultimately, a conversation with Mer UK about what you need from an EV transition goes far beyond the charger; it presents a chance to create a pathway towards improved operational effectiveness. The resultant policies that highlight driver safety and are future-proofed for imminent environmental and sustainability legislation, are of significant benefit too.

Mer UK

Cameron Galloway

About the author

Cameron is passionate about designing the right infrastructure for the customer and making sure it works for all stakeholders. As Design Manager at Mer, Cameron is responsible for the business' pre-construction work including design consultancy, surveys, estimations, fleet optimisation and 3D modelling. 

More EV Charging News