Highlights from Playbook 5: EV Fleet Charging Facility Operations
We’ve just published the fifth in our Electrification at Scale Playbook Series, EV Fleet Charging Facility Operations .
As more and more companies look to electrify their fleets, the challenges of operating EV charging facilities at scale become increasingly apparent. At Voltera, we've been at the forefront of helping fleets navigate this complex landscape, and we've learned a thing or two along the way. In our latest playbook, EV Fleet Charging Facility Operations, we dive deep into the challenges of operating an EV fleet charging facility and share our solutions for overcoming them.
This playbook is written for organizations coming out of the EV deployment pilot phase, looking to scale massively and quickly. It’s applicable to native EV fleets as well as legacy ICE fleets transitioning to electric – though it will likely resonate more with the latter, as they’re faced with the herculean task of keeping operations running smoothly while reconfiguring essentially everything to support a fleet of EVs.
Challenges in Operating an EV Fleet Charging Facility
Many fleets now have a pressing need to power EVs at scale. Whether the fleet is transitioning from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles or is an EV native, scale presents a range of complex challenges. Underlying them all: Being able to charge when, where, and as fast as needed is the #1 goal. It’s not the only thing that matters but certainly the first pre-requisite to an EV fleet’s success. It’s one thing to accomplish that goal in a pilot EV deployment. It’s quite another to do it at scale across an entire fleet of electric vehicles.
“Fleet operators planning for and executing decarbonization must grapple with complex issues, but time is of the essence. Being among the early movers in planning infrastructure rollout and addressing operational challenges can give operators an advantage in securing assets and realizing TCO benefits. Companies that delay their transition risk lower asset availability amid rising demand and supply bottlenecks, along with significant reputational, legal, and financial risk if they cannot keep up with changing regulations and consumer expectations.”
One of the biggest challenges fleets face when transitioning to EVs is aligning the operations of the charging facility with the operations of the fleet itself. For legacy ICE fleets, this often means reconfiguring processes and systems that were designed for a different type of vehicle. Route planning, driver break times, shift lengths, and even payloads may need to be adjusted to accommodate the unique needs of EVs. As Alex Nicholas, VP of Operations at MHX, noted while speaking at ACT Expo 2023, "I had the epiphany that I can't look at operating a fleet of ZEVs as if I were running diesel."
Another major challenge is ensuring charging infrastructure availability. Vehicles need to be able to charge to the level they need when they need to, and that requires charger reliability, resiliency, and site reliability. Many first-generation charging facilities have exposed fleets to downtime and associated financial impacts, but at Voltera, we've developed a holistic approach that ensures high availability across the entire network of energy and charging assets.
For consumer-facing sites, delivering on the driver experience is also critical. It's not just about keeping the chargers running; it's about creating a seamless, end-to-end experience that keeps customers coming back. From clean and well-stocked restrooms to convenient amenities like food and beverage options, every detail matters. And even for behind-the-fence sites, a great driver experience can help attract and retain top talent in a tight labor market.
Of course, optimizing the total cost of fleet ownership is always a top priority. The cost of the chargers, the charging facility, and the energy for charging all need to be carefully managed to ensure the best possible return on investment. As McKinsey points out, "Those that manage these challenges effectively stand to deliver real benefits, both to the climate and to their long-term financial performance." At Voltera, we take a holistic approach to this challenge as well, leveraging our expertise in real estate acquisition, power procurement, site design and construction, and ongoing operations to deliver the most cost-effective solution for each unique fleet.
Explore these challenges in depth
Overcoming the Challenges to Keep the Fleet’s EVs on the Road
These challenges affect any organization trying to deploy EV charging infrastructure at scale – be it a fleet or a third party like Voltera. But while fleets do not typically consider EV charging to be their core business, Voltera does. We wake up thinking about how to solve these and the other challenges associated with EV charging infrastructure deployment and operations.
“There are many challenges to overcome in order to realize the #1 goal of being able to charge when, where, and as fast as needed. Solving those challenges requires experience and expertise at every stage of the value chain. From an operations perspective, it’s about the merger of hardware, software, and operations into a platform that efficiently and effectively keeps the fleet’s EVs on the road no matter the scale.”
Ben Villagra, Director of Product and Solutions at Voltera
So how do we do it? It starts with a holistic approach that considers the entire site and the end-to-end experience. We work closely with our customers to understand their specific needs and design solutions that fit seamlessly into their existing operations.
We also vet and establish strategic partnerships with top charger OEMs to ensure we're deploying chargers that experience fewer issues and require less maintenance over time. Our rigorous validation process ensures interoperability between the EVSE, vehicle, and software ecosystem. Our OEM-certified personnel provide comprehensive remote and on-site technical support to minimize downtime and cost.
Proactive monitoring and maintenance are also key. Our in-house Integrated Operations Center (IOC) monitors charging facilities 24/7 to identify and resolve issues before they impact end-users. We leverage a nationwide network of internal personnel and external partners to provide effective repair services, and all issues are thoroughly documented and analyzed to identify trends and drive continuous improvement.
Energy management is another critical component of our approach. We work with fleets to develop charging schedules that avoid peak electricity demand charges and take advantage of lower off-peak rates. Our technology and operations platform balances between keeping costs low and ensuring that every vehicle has the charge it needs when it needs it.
Underpinning all of this is our purpose-built software platform. Unlike many other providers who rely on off-the-shelf solutions, we've developed our own platform to give us direct control over incorporating customer feedback and rapidly adjusting as conditions change. Our API integrations and intuitive user experience make it easy for fleets to integrate our platform into their existing operations and get the data they need to make informed decisions.
Data is a crucial aspect of successful fleet electrification, from the pilot phase to full-scale deployment. Voltera not only shares all relevant data for fleets to analyze EV operations but also makes that data easily accessible in whatever way is most convenient, whether through on-demand integrations, APIs, or simple downloads. This empowers fleets to evaluate their EV experiments, learn what works best for their unique circumstances, and scale with confidence.
Moreover, we understand that fleet electrification is a process, and many fleets will continue to use legacy vehicles and operations for some time. Our platform is designed to facilitate a smooth transition, allowing fleets to test new technologies and processes alongside their regular operations without causing disruptions. This flexibility reduces the risk associated with the transition to EVs and enables fleets to adapt and evolve as they discover what works best for them.
Dive deeper into how we’re solving operational challenges
The challenges of operating an EV fleet charging facility at scale are significant, but they're not insurmountable. With the right partner and the right approach, you can navigate this complex landscape with confidence and unlock the full potential of fleet electrification. At Voltera, we're proud to be that partner, and we're excited to help more fleets make the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. If you're ready to embark on this transformative journey, we invite you to reach out and discover how Voltera can help you electrify your fleet at scale, unlocking new opportunities and driving your business forward.
Electrification at Scale Playbook Series
This EV Fleet Charging Facility Operations Playbook {link to landing page} is the fifth and final in a series of Playbooks covering the entire EV charging infrastructure value chain – showing the challenges and opportunities at each stage, and how Voltera helps customers overcome those challenges and capture opportunities.
Playbook 1: Real Estate Identification & Acquisition
Playbook 3: Finding the Right Solution
Playbook 4: Design & Construction
Playbook 5: Technology & Operations