Fleet electrification
What is fleet electrification?
Fleet electrification refers to the transition of a group of vehicles, known as a fleet, from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles powered by fossil fuels to electric vehicles (EVs). It applies to various types of vehicles, including passenger cars, delivery trucks, buses and other commercial and industrial vehicles. These EVs can be battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). (Source: Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center.)
Background on vehicle electrification:
In the 1830s, Scottish inventor Robert Anderson created the first crude electric carriage, powered by non-rechargeable primary cells. Around the 1890s, electric vehicles became a popular choice for urban transportation, with major U.S. cities choosing electric cabs for their ease of use and low noise levels compared to steam and gasoline counterparts. But by the 1920s, gasoline-powered vehicles had become the top choice, following the discovery of vast petroleum reserves and advancements in internal combustion engines.
Fast-forward to the 2010s and advancements in battery technology, charging infrastructure and a growing awareness of the need to reduce fossil fuels use led to a turning point for electric vehicles. High-profile companies, including delivery services and tech companies, are now increasingly incorporating electric vehicles into their fleets. (Source: Department of Energy, The History of Electric Car.)
Why is fleet electrification important?
This shift is a key component of sustainable transportation strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and promoting energy efficiency. As technology continues to advance and awareness of environmental issues grows, fleet electrification is becoming an increasingly important strategy for organizations seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainable transportation solutions.
In December 2021, President Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan set goals to reduce emissions across federal procurement and operations. A key part of this is a target for executive agencies to transition 100% of their fleets to zero-emission vehicles by 2035. (Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office Federal Fleets: Zero-Emission Vehicle Implementation.)
The shift toward fleet electrification is a key component of sustainable transportation strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and promoting energy efficiency.
How CLEAResult supports fleet electrification:
Our team of Energy Transition consultants are dedicated to helping clients take the next step in sustainable transportation. Successful Fleet Electrification requires foresight, planning and a deeper understanding of common hurdles that can impede progress. We equip our clients with the tools, technology and insights to achieve their goals.
For our utility clients, we offer the ChooseEV Digital Toolkit, which makes it easy to educate consumers on the pros of going electric through comparison calculators and more.