Unlocking the EV transition for fleets - Fleet News promotion

Fleet News spoke to Spencer Davi, the UK sales & marketing director of fleet solutions brand, Northgate Vehicle Hire, about how the brand is engaging with its fleet customers on the subject of electrification.

Commenting on behalf of Northgate's sponsorship of the Fleet News Electric Report, Davi went into detail about how fleets are engaging with the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the inherent complexities that are involved.

Electrification and how fleets engage

When it comes to fleets and their engagement with electrification, Davi believes that the reality is quite simple.

“There are two distinct groups which companies fall into: those that are proactive – wanting to start their electrification process quickly and backed by the board – and those that are avoiding the transition, mainly because they don’t know where to start. At Northgate we work with both groups. Because of our software platforms and infrastructure knowledge and capabilities, we’re really well positioned to guide companies from the very start of the process in the best possible ways.”

Northgate’s views, as Davi explained, are aligned with those of organisations like SMMT (The Society of Motor Manufacturers) and the RHA (Road Haulage Association) insofar as the brand recommends that fleets engage with electrification sooner rather than later, even with ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles not being phased out for some years. Early adoption offers a fleet more time to establish a strategy and try different things to ensure a seamless transition to a full EV (electric vehicle) fleet that does not compromise operations when the time comes.

Providing knowledge on EV complexities

Electrification is a complex undertaking, with many interconnected factors that require careful consideration and planning. Davi noted that, for fleets to effectively transition to EV, they require informed and specialised knowledge to make informed decisions.

“The first hurdle,” said Davi, “is in understanding ‘how’ the transition can happen, whether that’s educating our customers on the practicalities, the ranges, what’s required from an infrastructure standpoint, and then the cost analysis (short and long-term).”

Fleet customers can rely on Northgate’s assistance to ensure that they are fully informed about the fundamentals of EV transition. Davi explained how the brand uses its expertise to prepare its customers for the practicalities of operating with new charging infrastructure, or how to make best use of data.

“We always start the conversation with our customers – alongside our sister company ChargedEV – by advising them on how best to prepare for charger installations at their drivers’ homes or at work. This is often the most efficient and practical foundation for a successful transition to electric vehicles, helping to make the rest of the process smoother and more manageable.”

Northgate is also able to use a fleet’s data – the data collected about drivers or the overall fleet – to establish a set of operating trends for vehicles and drivers that can be used to create a personalised timeline and set of electrification process.

Davi explained that Northgate will often provide vehicles to its customers for evaluation and so they can begin to get drivers on board with the transition and make a start with the re-education process.

“Placing a trial EV into a company has worked very well, particularly when we take into account our range of electric micro mobility, which most companies have never considered before. Electro mobility trials have opened many operators’ eyes about how they can adopt these vehicles in very specific working environments where even the smallest LCV may not be viable.”

By providing vehicles on a practical basis, Northgate is able to help its fleet customers dispel the myths and inaccuracies of working with EVs, as well as to help the fleets and their drivers who want to actively familiarise themselves with the vehicles they would be using.

Additionally, Northgate offers its fleet customers a wide range of vehicles – including specialist vehicles and electric cars – on a rental basis. Davi pointed to the rental model specifically as a very successful way to assist fleets on their electrification journeys.

“Rental has a huge part to play in enabling operators to trial vehicles before they buy or before they enter into longer term agreements. They can rent a vehicle and send it back after a month if it doesn’t quite work for their particular operation. This works far more efficiently than entering into longer term agreements.”

With rental vehicles, Northgate enables operators to achieve certainty that their individual operational and customer needs are met by the EVs involved before committing – making the electrification process a much more assured one for the fleets involved.

Advice for fleets

Northgate has assisted more than 100 companies in starting their transition to electric vehicles, so Davi offered some advice to today’s fleet decision-makers at the start of their electric transitions.

“Discuss your queries with companies like Northgate to gain as much help, support and clarity as possible before beginning. Northgate is agnostic when it comes to vehicles and charging and so can offer a truly independent view about what the best options are, how they can be rolled out and when.”

Additionally, Davi reiterated the need for fleets to start the electrification process as soon as possible to ensure that they have enough time to implement the correct strategy and to put measures in place that encourage drivers to embrace the new technologies involved in the journey to electrification.

This article is a paid for promotion with Allstar.

Learn more with the exclusive EV Report

Northgate is demonstrating its expertise on electrification as a sponsor of the EV Report from Fleet News, available now on the Fleet News website.

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