Initiated under the LOM, the energy transition of professional vehicle fleets to “clean vehicles” (less than 60 g CO2/km) is gradually being imposed on businesses and communities according to a predefined schedule. In fact, Starting at 1 January 2022, businesses with a fleet of at least 100 vehicles will have to renew at least 10% of their fleet by choosing low-emission vehicles. Suffice it to say that 2021 is a pivotal period for vehicle renewal that was to be expected.
From 2024, the required percentage of low-emission vehicles will be 20%, then 35% in 2027, and 50% from 2030.
How to optimize this energy migration to meet these new legislative requirements?
Although there is no single answer, there is one criterion that cannot be ignored: the analysis of current vehicle uses. Indeed, the use of an electric or hybrid vehicle, if the objective is to maximize environmental impact and minimize costs, must meet specific criteria.
Analyzing uses to prioritize choices
We would agree that an electric or hybrid vehicle is not a relevant answer in all cases. For example, attributing an electric vehicle with a short range to a frequent driver would make no sense.
Rushing through things can have serious consequences. Many companies, for example, quickly succumbed to the charm of hybrid vehicles... without realizing that the vehicles would very rarely be recharged by users, due to the lack of compensation provisions (for home charging). The result? Clean and economical on paper, uncharged hybrid vehicles are more polluting and more energy-consuming than their gas-powered counterparts in circulation.
From now on, special attention must be paid to the current uses of vehicles. Of course, this exercise can be tricky if you don't have telematics tools that automatically collect valuable data such as the mileage of each vehicle. But there are solutions!
For example, Optimum Data Mining, the consulting division of Optimum Automotive, offers the PLUG & COLLECT solution: a temporary connected service that allows data essential to decision-making to be collected over a sufficiently significant period of time.
Data such as daily mileage, downtime, and recurring stopping locations (home, business, etc.) will prove fundamental to guide decisions.
Choosing the right vehicles, installing charging stations in the right places, etc.
The decision to switch from a combustion engine vehicle to an electric or hybrid vehicle is not an easy decision. However, the obstacle course is not over.
More questions and problems emerge as soon as this decision is made. Which vehicle should you choose: hybrid? Electric? What model? How and where will the recharge be done? How to finance the installation of approved charging stations?
These are all questions that need to be asked before taking action. And as we can see, the complexity of the issue can be a source of confusion for more than one fleet manager who is not experienced in these new environmental issues.
But don't worry! Solutions also exist in this area. As in the previous example, Optimum offers support at several levels.
The optimal solution
- The audit:
It makes it possible to analyze the current fleet and the uses of each vehicle. On this basis, recommendations will be issued for:- determine which vehicles should be subject to energy migration
- identify the most economical “clean” compatible vehicles
- recommend the installation of charging stations and their financing
The audit then makes it possible to define a clear and objective road map for the fleet manager. He can also, if he wishes, ask for more comprehensive support.
- Support:
Assistance can be provided at several levels, up to the total delegation of vehicle fleet management. The leaders of Optimal Data mining will then be responsible for the daily management of the fleet (technical, administrative and financial management) and, of course, the necessary energy transition of the fleet. Regular and detailed management reports will provide a concrete overview of the actions taken and the progress made (especially in terms of TCO).
In conclusion, the energy transition of a car fleet is a real “headache” for which no one was prepared. However, the climate and environmental emergency is inevitably on everyone's mind.
To successfully migrate a fleet of vehicles to green energy, it is first necessary to plan in advance, then to equip yourself with the necessary analysis tools and, depending on the case, to benefit from the expert advice of a company specialized in the management of vehicle fleets.
