What Is EV Fleet Management Software?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are more popular than ever. We see an increase in the number of EVs being integrated into business fleets. Because of this, fleet managers are seeing new complexities emerge – ensuring battery health, monitoring energy usage, and planning charging stops are just a few to name.
Some providers indeed offer separate EV software, but with Cartrack, fleet management is built to handle these complexities, meaning that you can manage your EV or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with complete ease.
Through guidance from the Cartrack team, you’ll learn about EV fleet management software, why it matters, and which key Cartrack features show exactly why you may not need a separate system at all to run a strong electric, traditional, or mixed fleet.
What is EV fleet management software?
EV fleet management software is, much like standard fleet management software, a system or platform that allows you to successfully track and monitor your EV (or integrated) fleet in real time, tracking important data like energy usage and charging time slots.
This kind of software provides crucial information that could ultimately transform your EV fleet into a safer, more cost-efficient, and smarter operation. Beyond tracking and monitoring, other major features include operational optimisation, maintenance alerts, and energy consumption reports – all to ensure you stay on top of the things that matter.
A good fleet management provider can scale with your business and accommodate whatever changes; although there are companies that offer standalone EV fleet solutions, modern consolidated systems like Cartrack’s Fleetweb are ahead of the curve, built to work for ICE, EV, or integrated fleets with one unified and streamlined platform.
Key functions of EV fleet management software
There are certain aspects to EVs that need to be considered, and your fleet management software should tackle these considerations head-on. Think about these key functions when looking at EV fleet management software:
- Battery status tracking: To keep track of battery health and charging levels in the hopes of avoiding downtime. Combined with better route planning, EVs can remain on the road for longer without any disturbances or potential breakdowns.
- Charging history and scheduling: To keep an eye on charging history and set up a proactive charging schedule to avoid possible delays.
- Energy consumption analytics: To keep track of electricity consumption by each vehicle, but also identify consumption patterns as a means to optimise productivity.
- Real-time GPS tracking with range estimation: To bring together route optimisation and live vehicle tracking to achieve range-aware routes, especially regarding battery and charging matters.
- Driver behaviour monitoring: To keep track of drivers and their driving habits, i.e., accelerations, braking, and idle times. This can encourage better and safer driving while optimising driving habits for longer battery life.
- Service and maintenance planning: To be preemptive about maintenance through monitoring usage patterns. This would be achieved by setting up predictive alerts and notifications.
- Reporting and ESG compliance insights: To be able to track ecological footprint and other performance analytics to support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and specifications.
Do you need dedicated EV software or a platform that supports EVs?
No, you don’t need dedicated EV software; the truth is, it’s not a necessity, although it’s totally understood why most would think so. Using a completely integrated platform that supports both EV and ICE vehicles is the key to achieving greater flexibility – more so if you’re running a mixed fleet. With an integrated platform like Cartrack’s, you draw advantages from:
- One dashboard for EVs and ICEs: You can manage your fleet through one streamlined platform – even if your fleet is a combination of electric and traditional.
- No need for juggling multiple systems: There’s no need to manage your different vehicle types under different systems. Your workflow remains simplified.
- Easier data consolidation and reporting: Because there’s no cross-platform confusion taking place, all of your data and insights are collected and shared in one place. Get unified and comprehensive reports for your whole fleet.
- Greater ROI and simplicity: It’s just about using the tools that are already available to you, especially from traditional fleet management solutions. You’re still saving time and money while holding onto a scalable solution for your fleet.
Why managing EV fleets requires the right technology
EVs, while the perfect solution for tackling fuel and emission matters, invite a new collection of complexities to fleet management – the kinds that don’t often apply to traditional vehicles. Without the right technologies in place, you won’t get the full fleet visibility that you and your business deserve.
EVs need a platform that actively solves these unique complexities. Some of them include:
- Battery range monitoring: EVs use batteries, which is certainly a major difference from the traditional vehicle that depends on fuel. These batteries function differently depending on factors like terrain or driving style, highlighting the importance of range and route monitoring. You’d naturally want to avoid a breakdown and always ensure your vehicle battery health is consistently monitored.
- Charging station access and downtime: Because EVs are running on batteries, they need to be charged promptly. Fleet managers have to account for charging schedules, charging points and infrastructure, and waiting periods.
- Route optimisation based on charge: Every route and trip taken needs to take into account charging points and where they’re placed, along with battery levels.
- EV-specific maintenance: EVs typically don’t need to be serviced as often as traditional vehicles, and they also have fewer moving parts, but they do need to be checked every few months to ensure optimal performance. Maintenance based on usage, battery, and brakes is absolutely essential.
- Accurate energy usage tracking: Knowing how much energy is used per trip is the key to understanding trends and inconsistencies, which can help in reducing costs and improving performance.
How do you know you’re ready for EV fleet management software?
Choosing to go the EV route can be quite a significant decision to make; this is especially true if you’re not prepared with the right fleet management tools. But if you’re considering any of the below points, EV fleet management might be right for you. These are the signs:
- You want to lower fuel and maintenance costs: So you’re thinking about making the switch to EVs; this would only be the first phase of your money-saving initiatives. The real savings would come from implementing the correct fleet management tools and technologies to help you achieve optimal fleet performance and see real ROI.
- You need help planning smart routes and charging challenges: It’s clear that route optimisation is a major factor here; route planning is all about successfully considering average usage patterns, charging station locations, and range limits.
- You’re struggling with immediate insights: Managing EVs without fleet management solutions is a sure way of playing a guessing game. If you want real and comprehensive data, a streamlined platform is the best way to go.
- You’re scaling and need visibility: The greater the size and mix of your fleet, the greater the complexities. The best solution is to have a single platform that’s able to give you full visibility and control – no cross-platform confusion and just one dashboard with an overview of all the information you need.
How to choose the right fleet management partner for your EVs
While you carefully consider your provider options, it’s important to keep in mind that choosing the right software provider for your fleet will ensure you get the best support and long-term ROI. These are the key questions to explore and how Cartrack answers them:
- Does the system support both ICE and EVs? – Trying to manage a mixed fleet with separate systems would only prove futile (and very inconvenient). Cartrack’s platform brings together all the features and vehicle types under one dashboard.
- Will the platform scale as I grow my EV fleet? – If your fleet grows and changes, your fleet solutions provider should be on the same page. Cartrack’s secure and cloud-based systems expand with your business, being able to easily add or change features, permissions, and assets.
- Is there driver behaviour tracking for EVs? – To get the most out of your fleet’s driving range, the best course of action is to make route-optimising decisions based on efficient driving habits. Cartrack offers live driver insights that allow you to make the necessary decisions and encourage driver accountability.
- Is there reliable data accuracy, insights, and uptime? – To make informed and educated decisions that could better your fleet strategy, the data presented needs to be comprehensive and as accurate as possible. Cartrack’s platform is always on, delivering reliable and actionable insights.
- Is the platform future-proof for expanding EV infrastructure? – Technology, especially EV-related engineering, is constantly evolving at an unimaginable pace – which is why your provider needs to be prepared for any and all changes. Cartrack boasts continued innovation and preparation for change.
- What support is offered during onboarding and scaling? – If you’re taking the leap and introducing EVs to your fleet, this decision shouldn’t feel like a shot in the dark. Cartrack has a dedicated support team that’s ready to help you understand your options, explore the Fleetweb platform, and provide onboarding and training so that you and your drivers work smarter.
Benefits of using Cartrack for EV fleet management
There’s no need to feel as though you’re managing separate fleets, and Cartrack can ensure that you’re sorted on that front. Fleetweb is built to give you simplicity and precision when managing your fleet – no matter the vehicle type. See how we’re ready to help you handle your EVs with confidence:
- Reduce operational costs: Get clear breakdowns of energy usage and smarter route planning solutions so you can avoid needless charging stops and optimise your trips.
- Increase EV uptime: With the help of predictive alerts, you can avoid unexpected downtime through notifications based on usage patterns, vehicle health, and maintenance. Preemptive alerts are the key to beating unexpected expenses.
- Boost driver performance and EV longevity: EV-specific driving behaviours and patterns can be tracked to promote better driving practices. This kind of approach is the key to extending vehicle battery life and overall longevity.
- Easily plan charging stops: Factors such as location tracking and trip lengths can be used to figure out the best times for you to charge your EV and where the closest charging stations are in certain areas.
- Track and report on ESG goals: If you have compliance or regulatory targets that you’re looking to stay on top of, Cartrack can give you true and reportable feedback and insights to support these goals.
- Fully manage mixed fleets (EV + ICE): Cartrack is technologically prepared to give you full visibility and control – whether you have a traditional, electric, or mixed vehicle fleet. Don’t worry about having to work across multiple platforms.
The future of EV fleet management
The presence of EVs in the automotive landscape is already proving to be large and in charge; BloombergNEF anticipates that EVs will account for approximately 56% of new car sales by 2035, potentially climbing to around 70% by 2040 alone. With this transition being in full effect, software that matches this ever-evolving landscape and infrastructure is more valuable than ever. Look at some of these emerging trends and the future of EVs:
- V2G (vehicle-to-grid energy sharing): This innovation could be a game-changer for EVs and their battery usage. The hope is that, soon, EVs won’t just use energy when they’re out on the road, but they’ll be able to store any unused energy during low-demand times and use it when it’s necessary. This unused energy will be sent back to the grid, meaning that businesses could see a drastic decrease in energy costs.
- Smarter electric charging infrastructure: Charging stations are on their way to being more AI-driven and smarter; this means that fleet managers will be able to see, in real-time, feedback on charging costs, speeds, availability, and queues. All of this information being readily available will mean even higher levels of productivity.
The Bottom Line
If you’re making the move to electric vehicles, there’s absolutely no need to fret over an entirely new fleet management system – all you need is one that’s already secure and built for the next phase of your fleet growth.
Whether you have a full EV fleet, traditional fleet, or a mix of the two, Cartrack has all the necessary tools and support to give you confidence and control.
Get EV-ready with Cartrack. Book your fleet demo today, or map out the best solution for your fleet with the help of our fleet experts.
FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between regular and EV fleet management software?
A: EV fleet management software typically features tools that aren’t necessarily found in standard vehicle fleet software, such as battery monitoring and charging insights. On the other hand, Cartrack is equipped with all the EV-ready technologies while still being able to support ICE fleets.
Q: Can I manage EVs and ICE vehicles in one system?
A: Yes, you can; fleet management systems like Cartrack’s Fleetweb can ensure you manage any vehicle type through one dashboard.
Q: How does EV fleet management software help reduce energy costs?
A: As is the case for traditional fleet management software, EV fleet software can give detailed breakdowns, feedback, and reports on your fleets, sending out alerts when necessary and helping you with actionable insights.
Q: Is Cartrack’s fleet software compatible with different vehicle brands?
A: Yes, Cartrack’s software and hardware are compatible with all makes and models, making it the perfect partner for any fleet.
Q: What happens if my EVs operate in rural or low-signal areas?
A: You won’t have to worry about a lack of visibility – Cartrack operates on an offline system when there’s little to no signal, meaning that all information continues to be interpreted and stored until reconnection happens again and that data is synced.
