As the EV industry continues to grow, all eyes are on increasing and maintaining an EV manufacturing workforce, as well the as the corporate personnel responsible for developing EV strategies to analyze, acquire, operate, and maintain EVs and their required infrastructure.

With the continued push towards full fleet electrification, there are several workforce development considerations companies should think about prior to making the decision to electrify, particularly as it relates to staffing requirements and expertise.

Sustainability and Fleet Managers

Sustainability and fleet managers hold the key to their company’s success in electrifying their fleet, as they are responsible for developing a compelling business case that highlights the financial, environmental, and operational requirements and rewards.

Sustainability managers are tasked with determining and overseeing the implementation of company strategies from an environmentally friendly perspective. They understand the company’s overall sustainability goals and operations and will know how vehicle electrification fits into the bigger picture to reduce the company’s Scope 2 emissions.

Fleet managers have an extensive understanding of current vehicle analytics, operations, use cases, potential improvements, and needs stemming from driver feedback, along with right-sizing charger technology expertise – critical to determining whether chargers are fast enough to meet operational requirements. Once fleet managers become familiar with the particulars of EV logistics, they can continue to plan, manage, and supervise operations, future EV acquisitions, and charging infrastructure needs.

Sustainability and fleet managers should work together when considering:

• Risks and opportunities of transitioning to electric
• Site preparation for charging infrastructure
• Affordability of vehicle and required infrastructure
• Selection of stakeholders that require buy-in
• Timeline to integrate charging infrastructure and procure vehicles
• Operational changes than need to occur and selection of software to optimize operations

Fleet Maintenance Team

Companies with a significant number of fleet vehicles likely have their own maintenance team that specializes in internal combustion engines (ICE). As your company begins to electrify, it will be imperative that your team hire or train up individuals capable of maintaining EVs. Though EVs require less maintenance when compared to ICE vehicles, they still demand checks on their batteries, brakes, electric systems, and tires.

When considering all areas of EV maintenance, the battery’s voltage is the most critical to understand, as it is the nucleus of an EV. It is also important that your maintenance team and vehicle operators are trained to appropriately handle emergency responses as it relates to electric cars.

Electric Vehicle Operators

Individuals operating vehicles make the wheels turn, as they are responsible for the safe delivery of people and products. When deciding to incorporate electric vehicles into your delivery process, it is important to consider route rationalization, managed charging, and optimization software. Examination and execution of these considerations can help your organization meet scheduling constraints while remaining within budget.

In addition, a major concern alongside meeting delivery schedules is the potential for EV operators to run out of electricity while not in close proximity to a charging station, also known as range anxiety. Though a valid consideration for EV operators, range anxiety continues to be addressed as infrastructure initiatives are launched to increase charging infrastructure along corridors and highways. This will reduce operator anxiety and contribute to a worry-free ride.

The electrification of a fleet doesn’t stop with the procurement of vehicles. That is, in fact, just the beginning of a successful fleet transition. Ensuring that there are no operational disruptions, that costs remain within budget, and that employees and clients are satisfied requires a true team effort.

Edison Energy serves as an extension of this team, meeting clients wherever they are on their journey to a zero-emissions transportation future.

Check out the resources below:

• Department of Energy resources for EV training can be found here.
• The National Fire Protection Association EV training and resources can be found here.

Let us meet you where you are in your Transportation Electrification journey. Click here to learn more about our Transportation expertise.