Local authorities could significantly reduce the cost and risk of fleet electrification by adopting a more data-led approach to early-stage planning, according to VEV.
The fleet electrification solutions firm adds that inefficiency and poor planning threatens to “undo the massive cost savings that electrification can offer”, it said.
Analysis of project data suggests early-stage analytics can significantly improve the total cost of ownership by driving down costly grid upgrades by as much as 70% and identifying energy savings of up to 20% through optimised charging strategies.
Using operational and telematics data from more than 100,000 vehicles, it said councils can avoid over-specifying infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, and unlock greater value from funding schemes, at a time when budgets and timelines are under increasing pressure.
Many electrification programmes stall not because of vehicle technology, but “because of poor upfront planning for infrastructure, energy demand and grid capacity”, it argued.
In a project with Derby City Council’s municipal waste fleet, VEV worked in partnership with Whitespace to develop an electrification roadmap and cost model using live operational and telematics data.
The work identified immediate optimisation opportunities and supported a funding application to the UK’s Depot Charging Scheme, with the financial impact estimated at up to ten times the initial consultancy investment.
Grid connection delays are also emerging as a significant constraint on fleet electrification. As an Independent Connection Provider (ICP), VEV designs and delivers grid connections directly, helping to reduce project timelines and reliance on third-party network operators.
Fleet operators are being urged to prioritise early-stage planning and data analysis to improve project viability, reduce risk and secure available funding, as delays drive up costs and restrict access to grid capacity, it added.
The news comes as Transport + Energy gears up for its Fleet Electrification Forum at Warwick Conferences on 8 July. Find out more about the event here.
George Hobbs, Data Lead at VEV, said:
“Most fleets don’t fail at electrification because of technology — they fail because they don’t start in the right way.
“Using real-world operational data allows us to remove uncertainty, demonstrate viability, and build a clear, investable roadmap that allows operators to scale with confidence.”
Image of George Hobbs courtesy of VEV
