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IPWEA FLEET Manager’s Column

By FLEET e-news posted 08-10-2019 14:59

  

The interest in electric vehicles (EVs) certainly continues to grow in our industry.

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By Rob Wilson – Director IPWEA FLEET

It was just a few short years ago that some fleet managers thought EVs were not much more than concept vehicles and never likely to form part of a functional fleet. However, it is clear now that this is no longer the case and that EV technology continues to rapidly evolve.

EV battery efficiency is rapidly improving as sales volumes increase. According to Bloomberg, “for every doubling of cumulative volume, we observe an 18% reduction in price”. On this basis battery pricing has moved from around $373/kWh in 2015 to $176/kWh in 2018 and is projected to be around $94/kWh in 2024.

Capital costs are reducing. The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) quote “...the total ownership costs of EVs will be the same as conventional vehicles by 2021 and that upfront costs will be cheaper by 2025.”

Re-charging infrastructure continues to expand. In 2017 NRMA announced the establishment of one of Australia’s largest vehicle fast-charging networks and is continuing to build on this (for example new facilities opened in Batemans Bay in June). Queensland Electric Super Highway runs from Coolangatta to Cairns. Various local governments (such as Morland) are providing re-charging facilities and home-based charging is a viable option for many vehicle owners.

Nearly every manufacturer now has an electric or hybrid passenger vehicle offering and options in the heavy segment continue to grow. Hino have for some time offered the Hino 300 Series Hybrid option, the Fuso ecanter is on trial with Aussie Post and SEA electric are working across manufacturers to provide EV options. Cox Automotive (the owner of Manheim Auctions) recently invested $350m in Rivian, a manufacturer of electric commercial vehicles and SUVs.

 It’s clear electric vehicles are here now and will be an increasingly important part of our fleets in the future. However, the challenge for fleet managers has been to adequately asses EV and traditional options and develop a business case for change accordingly.

IPWEA FLEET has been actively engaged with the Charge Together Fleets program to assist in the development of resources to support fleets transition to electric vehicles. The Charge Together Fleets program has one goal – to accelerate the transition of fleets to electric vehicles. It will do this by empowering fleet and sustainability managers with all levels of EV literacy from organisations of all sizes, with the tools and knowledge to electrify their fleets

As an official member of the Charge Together Fleets working group, IPWEA FLEET are excited to announce that the program will launch on 8 October. IPWEA FLEET is proud to have been a part of the development of Charge Together Fleets.

The program includes a new national software-as-a-service platform (SaaS), developed by Evenergi. As well as the new software, the program will include a knowledge base, a peer-to-peering learning forum, collaborative procurement opportunities and an EV experts’ webinar series.

The program is co-developed and managed the Electric Vehicle Council and Evenergi, with funding from ARENA, and additional sponsorship from the NRMA, Ausgrid, The South Australian and New South Wales Governments.

 Sign up for free here: - www.chargetogether.org

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