Fleet range considerations
What the LEXperts say
EVs provide fleet managers with reliable transit options to meet their day-to-day operational needs. In fact, new EVs deliver an average of nearly 300 miles on a single charge.
Understanding EV range
Miles per kilowatt hour (m/kWh)
Think of miles per kilowatt hour (m/kWh) as the EV equivalent of miles per gallon (mpg) for petrol or diesel cars. It measures how efficiently an EV uses energy, indicating how far it can travel on one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity.
Calculating range
To know how far an EV can go on a single charge, multiply it’s battery size (in kWh) by its efficiency (m/kWh). For example, if an EV has a 70 kWh battery and an efficiency of 4 m/kWh, it can travel approximately 280 miles on a full charge.
Range estimates
Just like with petrol or diesel cars, real-world factors such as temperature, weather conditions, and driving habits can affect an EV's range. Independent sources like ev-database offer more realistic range figures that account for these variables as manufacturers are required to base their range on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) lab simulations.
Is range important?
For fleet vehicles regularly covering hundreds of miles in a single journey, range is likely to be a key consideration as well as the charging speed of the vehicle. Some vehicles support faster rapid charging, making range less of a concern when frequent short stops are possible. Several factors influence the range your EVs will achieve:
- Motor efficiency
- Battery capacity
- Vehicle weight and size
- Driving style
- Winter temperatures
Fleet managers can control the first three factors by selecting an EV that delivers the right balance of cost, range, and design for their operational needs. Correct tyre pressures and efficient driving techniques such as smooth acceleration and early anticipation of road conditions will help get the maximum range from the vehicle.
Rapid charging allows drivers to replenish up to 80% of the battery in under 30 minutes at many charging hubs. This swift turnaround keeps schedules on track and reduces downtime. While preconditioning can help maintain battery efficiency, focusing on rapid-charging solutions during working hours generally delivers the biggest benefits.
The average fleet car covers between 16,000 and 17,000 miles a year – roughly 343 miles per week over 48 working weeks, which translates to about 69 miles per day. With reliable home or workplace charging, this daily range is easily achieved. However, for drivers covering higher daily mileage, additional charging strategies are beneficial to ensure optimal performance for long-distance journeys. These include:
- Route planning. Use in-built software and external apps to optimise routes and seamlessly locate charging stations.
- Driver education. Teach drivers how small changes in behaviour can improve EV range. For example, carrying unnecessary loads, smooth acceleration, and reduced air conditioning use are valuable range-extending measures. (These strategies equally apply to fuel consumption in petrol and diesel vehicles.) Regenerative braking and driving in eco mode also help extend the distance you can travel on a single charge.
- Charging infrastructure. Consider the needs of home charging, depot charging and the reliance on public charging. Public charging can be more expensive. Encourage charging during natural breaks, not just when necessary.
- Vehicle selection. Opt for EVs with a balance of cost, range, charging speed, and design tailored to fleet needs.
By selecting the right vehicles, fleet managers can make sure their drivers have the range and charging performance they need while enjoying the long-term cost efficiency and environmental benefits of EVs. Plus, it is good practice for drivers to identify their dwell times in advance – this helps determine the best opportunities for charging.
Article published February 2025