How to Keep Your Electric Fleet Vehicle Running Smoothly

The best way to keep your electric fleet vehicle running smoothly is through optimum energy use, quick recharging (if required), and access to quality charging stations on all your company’s routes. Maxus is the first choice for electric fleet vehicles, as our market-leading battery technology reduces charging time and energy consumption. We also have a range of adaptable vehicles and readily available service and parts. 

Charging infrastructure is key to the success of electric vehicles (EVs) and even more so for businesses with EV fleets. We already have a number of parking spaces with EV charging points at our Maxus sites and support any business wanting to make the green transition.

The Evolving Landscape of Charging Infrastructure in the UK

It was interesting to note Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s delay of the ban on sales of new petrol cars. However, the business community is committed to decarbonising road transport, and Maxus electric fleet vehicles contribute to these efforts.  

The launch of ChargeUK in April 2023 is a clear indication that the landscape of charging infrastructure in the UK is changing rapidly. ChargeUK brings together the largest companies installing public charge points, intending to work collaboratively with the government and other stakeholders for a smooth transition to electric vehicles. Although charging hubs are now offering 8, 16, 24 and even more charging points on one site instead of one or two units, the geographic distribution of charging points is still problematic.   

According to ChargeUK there are approximately 40,000 public charge points at the moment, with hundreds of thousands of smart home and work charge points. The focus is now to ensure the right type of charge point (slow, fast, or rapid) is available to individual and commercial users throughout the UK. 

Navigating the Charging Landscape: Tips for Businesses

Businesses wanting to transition their fleet vehicles to electric were concerned about the high costs of installing EV charging infrastructure. They were expected to pay for a substation upgrade if their site did not have sufficient electricity capacity. Fortunately, this has changed. Access and Forward-Looking Charges Significant Code Review (Access SCR) are rules from the regulator Ofgem that took effect in April 2023. It states that substation upgrades will largely be paid for by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). 

Practical tips for businesses wanting to install charging infrastructure include speaking to your DNO to understand your site capacity and to plan for future electric fleet charging requirements. It is more cost-effective to practise phased capacity management until your whole fleet is converted. 

Selecting and Installing Charging Stations: A Practical Guide

The type and number of charging stations you install will depend on your company’s needs. If you are a small-to-medium sized business, you might be eligible for the government’s electric vehicle infrastructure grant for staff and fleets or the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). Consider the following when planning your charging stations:

• If your site is leased, get your landlord’s permission to install charging stations.
• Attend connection surgeries, workshops, or webinars offered by your DNO before making an application. 
• Charging bays should be wide enough to accommodate a charging point in the middle with two vehicles charging on either side.
• Charge points should be as close as possible to the site’s power supply to cut down on groundwork costs. 
• Decide which charger speed is most appropriate for your fleet.

Overcoming Challenges and Future-proofing Your Electric Fleet

EV charging in the UK is rapidly becoming less of a problem as the availability of charging infrastructure increases. When you own Maxus EV vehicles, you future-proof your fleet with our Maxus Intelligence Onboard System. It provides live data on the state of your battery charge, charging events, and whether it is on or off the charge.

With this information, you can increase your fleet’s range, energy consumption in miles per kWh, and how much energy is added, including where and at what price. The data is combined into simple reports that help you better understand how your electric fleet vehicles are driven and where you need to make changes. 

Maxus has a good track record of delivering complex fleets for diverse businesses. We have over sixty dealers across the UK where you can select the perfect electric fleet vehicle for your business. Contact us today!