Transitioning to EVs? Follow this five-step guide

1. Examine the status quo

Start by examining your current operations. Gather telematics data on routes, vehicle load capacity, cargo types, and driver availability. Assess the grid quality near your business and review your vehicle replacement schedule. This comprehensive analysis will provide a detailed overview of your operations and assist in planning the transition.

“It can take some effort to pull all of this information together, but once it has been compiled and analysed, you will have a detailed overview of your operation, which will significantly assist you in the remaining steps of the process,” says Justin Coetzee, CEO of fleet management company GoMetro. While this can be done in-house, expert assistance can yield more accurate results and a thorough action plan.

2. Solar rocks

A stable electricity source is crucial for business success, and solar power offers a viable solution.

“The tax incentives for installing solar power are fantastic, so take full advantage. But act quickly – the incentives are only available until 28 February 2025. Instead of investing in just enough roof panels to see you through load shedding, cover your factory’s entire roof. Yes, it will produce more power than you can use right now, but that won’t be the case for long. In a few years, you’ll replace your fossil fuel costs with green, renewable ‘fuel’ to operate your fleet,” advises Coetzee.

The Section 12BA tax benefit allows companies to claim 125% of renewable energy asset costs upfront. This rebate applies to inverters and power storage batteries if they are part of the renewable energy system. Investing in solar power now will pay off in the long run, especially as highway charging stations are introduced and operators can invest in larger electric trucks.

3. Go shopping!

It’s time to go shopping! Use telematics data to determine which electric trucks best suit your business needs.

The initial analysis will help determine the optimal mix of ICE and EVs for your fleet’s first phase of transition. Thereafter, you can identify which EVs are the best replacements for trucks that are due for retirement.

Consider battery size, range, and charging times, and match your solar power production with the energy requirements of various EVs. Remember that more and more EVs will be introduced in South Africa in time to come.

4. Determine your routes

With a clear understanding of your new vehicles’ capabilities, determine the most suitable routes for them. Initial EV routes will probably be around 120km from the depot, allowing for two passes a day with a fast charge during reloading and a full charge overnight.

Interprovincial routes will take longer to become viable due to the need for charging infrastructure along major routes. However, shorter routes can immediately reduce your fuel expenses.

“When the first tranche of your routes has gone electric and you’ve got new data to analyse — what routes work best, what’s the best charging schedule for your business, your largest expenses and biggest savings, and so on — you can revisit your initial plan and make improvements for the next wave of EVs to your fleet,” states Coetzee.

5. Data management is vital

Effective data management and analytics are even more crucial for EV fleets than for ICE fleets. This is because EV fleets require meticulous resource management (when a vehicle runs out of power, you can’t simply refuel at a nearby fuel station). EVs generate vast amounts of data, which – when coupled with a reliable fleet management system – will help to ensure a successful transition to zero-emission vehicles.

“An EV fleet is a neat solution to complying with the developing standards of emissions control. Not only does it show commitment to a greener planet, but you can take advantage of economic benefits, such as reduced fuel and maintenance costs, improved efficiency, and vehicle longevity — all of which are good for your business,” Coetzee concludes.