Planning an EV fleet in seven easy steps

Following on from a conversation with Catherine Levin in December about how to decarbonise emergency service fleets and the need for a national joined-up approach, here are seven steps to start off that conversation at a local level.

Set realistic goals and expectations

Emergency service fleets should set long-term goals, interim targets, and clear expectations for transitioning to zero emission vehicles and infrastructure. It is important to set realistic expectations within the Executive Team and Heads of Department about what is achievable, how long it will take, and how much the transition to zero emission vehicles and infrastructure might cost.

Gather data on current fleet, operations and estates

Start with gathering accurate and up to date information about fleet operations and sites. To do this, emergency services need to combine data from a wide range of sources and make sure that this data is actually being used to produce useful information. Three of the most useful sources of data for fleet transition planning are vehicle telematics, accurate fuel records, and site power supply information from the DNO and energy supplier. 

Keep informed about the latest developments

Decision makers need to keep informed about the latest developments in both government policies and technology advancements. Fleet managers need to keep up to date with the ZEV Mandate, vehicle supplier commitments and product roadmaps. Operations managers need to keep up to date with the specifications and capabilities of different zero and ultra-low emission vehicles technologies. Estates managers need to keep up to date with the fleet transition plans and the latest charging and refuelling technologies.

Identify quick wins for fleet transition

Every fleet already has some vehicles that can be cost effective to transition to battery electric vehicles without negatively impacting operations. Emergency service fleets need to identify and implement these opportunities, while also developing specific solutions for their more challenging applications like fire appliances, double crewed ambulances, and marked response police vehicles.

Develop an EV charging strategy and infrastructure plan

All emergency service fleets should have a long-term infrastructure strategy that determines how and where vehicles will be charged (or refuelled) and provides a detailed plan for how this infrastructure will be provided either at base or elsewhere such as on a public or private infrastructure network.

Gather evidence and experience

There is no substitute for real-world evidence and experience, emergency service fleets should develop a coordinated programme of testing, trials and pilot schemes to demonstrate what role zero emission response vehicles can already fulfil and what solutions are available to better accommodate their capabilities in the future.

Take a step-by-step approach and work with others

Emergency service fleets should take an iterative approach to fleet transition and should update their fleet and infrastructure strategies each year as new vehicles and technologies become available. It is important that emergency services fleets should work together to trial and deploy vehicles, share real-world knowledge and operational experience, and to seek opportunities to share charging or refuelling infrastructure.

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Read the full interview with Carl here – Net zero fleet ambitions need a national, joined up approach.