New roadmap outlines business case for fleet EVs

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The Electrification Coalition has released its Fleet Electrification Roadmap, a wealth of insight and analysis on the business case for EVs and PHEVs in U.S. business and government fleets. The roadmap, produced in conjunction with management consulting company PRTM, addresses both challenges and opportunities for integrating EVs and PHEVs into U.S. fleets. "The new study outlines how fleet operators can be early adopters of electric drive technology, and serve as a catalyst for the broader consumer market," said Oliver Hazimeh, PRTM partner and head of Global E-Mobility for the company. "The combination of high utilization rates, predictable routes, common use of central parking facilities and total cost of ownership approach to vehicle acquisitions will make EVs and PHEVs attractive to operators of several fleet market segments," he added. The study also recommends several policies that would help grease the wheels for fleet integration, such as EV and PHEV tax credits, clean renewable energy bonds for infrastructure, guarantee of residual value for the first generation of lithium-ion batteries and federal fleet electrification.

Quick Take: EVs have generated a lot of debate in terms of how many and how soon, under-estimated or over-hyped. Regardless, studies like the Fleet Electrification Roadmap are required reading for utilities, fleet operators, vehicle and related infrastructure manufacturers and others who need to be ready for them.