Electric Vehicle Fleet Management: How to Adapt Your Tools

Summary

• Electric vehicle fleet management and winter range
• Planning EV charging
• The 3 essential GPS data points for an electric fleet
• Operating cost comparison: EV vs gasoline
• Costly mistakes during the transition
• Conclusion
• FAQ

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is one of the most significant changes for fleet managers in Quebec. Driven by government incentives and volatile fuel prices, fleet electrification is rapidly accelerating.

However, managing an electric vehicle fleet introduces new challenges that did not exist with combustion engines, particularly when it comes to range, charging, and performance.

In this new landscape, a GPS-based fleet management system becomes an energy command centre. It must provide accurate data on state of charge, remaining range, and energy efficiency to enable seamless logistics planning and ensure that the transition to electric is both operationally and financially successful.

Electric vehicle fleet management and winter range

The biggest challenge for an EV fleet in Quebec is undoubtedly the impact of cold weather. An EV battery can lose up to 40% of its range in freezing temperatures. For a manager, this means a trip that is feasible in summer may become impossible in winter.

A GPS system tailored for EVs is crucial because it factors this in. It doesn’t just display the state of charge—it recalculates estimated range in real time based on outside temperature, preventing unpleasant surprises.

Planning EV charging

Unlike refuelling with gasoline, charging takes time, making planning essential. Two types of charging must be considered:

• Depot charging: Ideally, vehicles are fully charged overnight. A fleet management system helps manage charger rotation if you have more vehicles than charging stations.
• On-the-road charging: For longer trips, stops at public charging stations must be planned. A good GPS system can display compatible stations on the map and even indicate real-time availability.

The 3 essential GPS data points for an electric fleet

1. State of charge (SOC): The percentage of battery remaining. This is the most fundamental data point for daily planning.
2. State of health (SOH): The battery’s maximum charge capacity compared to when it was new. A battery with 85% SOH can only charge up to 85% of its original capacity. It is a key indicator of remaining lifespan.
3. Consumption (kWh/100 km): Indicates the energy efficiency of your vehicles and drivers. It helps identify energy-intensive driving behaviours.

For many managers, transitioning to electric becomes much easier when they have clear visibility on vehicle range, charging cycles, and energy consumption. A telematics platform centralizes this information and helps anticipate operational needs.

Contact us to see how these data points can improve your electric fleet management on a daily basis.

Operating cost comparison: EV vs gasoline

Costly mistakes during the transition

• Underestimating cold weather impact: Failing to account for a 30–40% range loss in winter when planning routes.
• Neglecting driver training: Not training drivers on EV-specific eco-driving techniques (e.g., regenerative braking).
• Choosing an incompatible GPS system: Ending up with a system that cannot access essential data like state of charge.

Conclusion

Electric vehicle fleet management represents a major evolution for organizations aiming to reduce operating costs and their carbon footprint. However, a successful transition requires precise visibility into range, charging, and vehicle performance.

With telematics data, managers can better plan routes, anticipate charging needs, and monitor battery health. These insights are essential for operating an EV fleet reliably and cost-effectively, especially in a climate like Quebec’s.

To ensure the success of your electrification project, contact us and discover how our EV solutions work.

FAQ

How does electric vehicle fleet management work?

Electric vehicle fleet management involves using GPS systems and telematics platforms to monitor battery range, charging cycles, and energy consumption. This data helps managers plan routes, optimize charging station usage, and track fleet energy performance.

Can the system tell me if a vehicle is charging?

Yes, an advanced telematics solution can detect when a vehicle is plugged in and charging. The vehicle status will switch to “Charging” on the platform, showing in real time which vehicles are refuelling with energy and which are ready to go. This helps optimize vehicle rotation at depot charging stations, especially when chargers are limited.

How does the system measure battery health (SOH)?

Battery health (State of Health) measures its ability to retain energy compared to its original capacity. While the telematics system does not measure it directly, it estimates it by analyzing historical charge and discharge data over time. By comparing the battery’s current maximum capacity to its original capacity, the system calculates an SOH percentage—an essential indicator of remaining lifespan and resale value.