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W ith an increasing number of all-electric field service fleets, the demand for EV charging points remains high. With a focus on the consumer market, retailers and housebuilders are driving the roll-out effort. Last year the UK's EV charging points numbered around 42,000. However, outside of major hubs, fleets find long waits, high prices, and even 'charging deserts'.

Dynamic fleet scheduling that embeds route and tour planning with rules is your digital solution to range anxiety - and is here to support the move to greener fleets.

Choosing the right vehicles for your fleet means balancing cost, reliability, and suitability for the tasks required – all with an eye to minimise idle/downtime. Fuel management and route planning then crosses between fleet managers and field dispatchers. Whilst strategies to monitor and reduce fuel use (such enforcing speed limits and promoting efficient driving techniques) are firmly rooted in traditionally fuelled fleets, moving to all-electric, decarbonisation plan is no different.

WHAT IS EV RANGE ANXIETY?

Range anxiety is the fear that an electric vehicle (EV) may run out of power before reaching a destination or a charging station. EVs have a limited range and can only travel a certain distance on a single charge (on average 200-300 miles).

'Charging deserts' don't respect your dispatch requirements, and fleets now face fresh operational pressure. Field service operators may avoid taking long trips or refuse to service geographic areas where there are no charging stations. Field operatives may avoid an EV's features, such as air conditioning or heating, or limit the use of vehicle-powered equipment, such as air compressors or welding tools.