How to use GPS tracking for your EV fleet management

There are various challenges in the management of an electric vehicle fleet.

Electric vehicles run on different principles than the traditional fleet, so the general management, including energy consumption and potential routes, is most peculiar for every fleet manager.

As a fleet manager, you want your EVs to operate at their best while keeping costs low and efficiency high. This is where GPS tracking technology comes into play. Integrating GPS tracking into your fleet management strategy provides live insight, operational streamlining, and tackling the particular challenges of EVs.

In that regard, GPS tracking technologies have proven to be a game changer, offering many tools in their armoury to complement the management and performance of your electric vehicle fleet.

Here is how one can leverage GPS tracking to benefit the most from electric vehicles.

1. Optimizing routes using EV vehicle tracking

Imagine this: you’re in the office, sipping your morning coffee, and you suddenly realize that your drivers are in traffic, burning all precious battery power. Frustrating, right? This is where EV vehicle tracking helps.

Installing GPS technology in the fleet will ensure that the headaches associated with that go away and your routes are optimized.

A GPS lets you monitor your vehicle fleet in real-time, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the entire fleet. You can see real-time bottlenecks in traffic, construction areas, or other hurdles the road might throw your way. This information allows you to reroute your drivers quickly, saving you time, energy, and money.

It’s not just about dodging traffic, though. GPS tracking also allows you to schedule your most efficient routes based on miles, charging station locations, and terrain. Remember, EVs perform differently on hills compared to flat roads.

All these things considered, you may get the best possible range out of your vehicle and avoid frequent charging stops.

2. Observe the battery levels and plan for charging stops

Range anxiety is natural, especially when you are in charge of a whole fleet of EVs. But with GPS tracking, that worry is gone. A modern GPS can track the fuel level of all your vehicles in real-time so you can plan strategic charging stops.

Imagine scheduling a long-haul trip with some of your drivers. Instead of just hoping and crossing your fingers for them to reach the destination, you can use GPS data to chart precisely where the charging stations are along a given route. You can work overtime to charge and schedule breaks accordingly, keeping your driver fresh and your vehicle charged.

But it’s not all about long hauls; even everyday routes can use GPS tracking for charge scheduling. You will have data on typical energy consumption for various routes and times of the day, so you know when and where each vehicle needs to be charged.

Moreover, you will not waste time with unnecessary charging stops or, worse yet, leave your drivers stranded in the middle of the road because the battery is dead.

3. Driver behavior and energy efficiency

Now, this is going to ruffle a few feathers. We all know that driving style can significantly affect an EV’s range and efficiency. But how do you encourage better driving habits without being a backseat driver?

GPS tracking systems can track acceleration, braking, speed, and every other facet of the driving experience. Analyzing that data can help you find where your drivers are losing energy and provide focused training to improve efficiency.

But hey, don’t sweat it because this is no point-the-finger exercise or blame game. Think of it as your scorecard for continuous improvement. You could make it fun by offering a small incentive for drivers showing exemplary driving techniques that save energy. Your drivers may even start sharing cool ideas on how to stretch a few more miles out of a dollar of battery.

4. Improve customer service and satisfaction

Lastly, let us not forget the very heart of your business: the customers. If you run a business in the fast-paced, jet-setting world, customers will expect real-time updates and exact ETAs. GPS tracking will make that possible and so much more.

Imagine telling the customer exactly where their delivery is and when it will arrive to the minute or turning around to send the nearest vehicle for an urgent job that has just come in. With GPS tracking, this can all be done and can help you offer the best service possible.

Impressing the customers with your psychic abilities to predict arrival times is just part of it. GPS tracking can also help you react quickly to anything that goes wrong. If a vehicle breaks down or a driver runs into a problem, you’ll know about it instantly and take action.

5. Optimize maintenance scheduling and vehicle life cycle

An EV features fewer moving parts than its gas-guzzling counterpart, but that hardly suggests the vehicle doesn’t thirst for some tender loving care. Ongoing maintenance is vital to keeping your fleet in top-notch shape while maximizing your vehicle’s life. But how do you keep track of an entire fleet’s maintenance needs? Guess what; it’s GPS tracking.

The modern GPS in a vehicle can do more than merely let you know where it is. It also monitors numerous vehicle parameters and will alert you when it is time for a checkup. From tyre pressure to the battery’s health, the system can give you a heads-up before minor problems turn into big problems.

But it’s not just a reactive maintenance program. Over time, you can analyze GPS data to predict when components must be serviced. This proactive approach can allow you to schedule maintenance during off-peak hours, minimizing the time your fleet would spend at the shop.

Conclusion

Using GPS tracking as a fleet management strategy for electric vehicles should not be seen as just an improvement. It is a revolutionary technology with immense capabilities to transform regular business functions.

GPS tracking serves electric vehicles’ specific needs with benefits ranging from energy consumption optimization and route efficiency improvement to better vehicle maintenance and driver safety.

So what are you waiting for? Embrace this technology and drive high-impact cost savings in operations.

24/09/2024