Municipal fleets are not likely to transition to PEVs based on procurement costs. However, industry trends indicate overall cost is a reason some are incorporating EVs into their fleets. Electric vehicles are less costly to operate and maintain. Municipalities are also taking advantage of state, federal, and utility financial incentives to help offset vehicle and infrastructure costs. Some financial incentives even include medium and heavy-duty EV fleet vehicles.
Deciding on the best way to incorporate EVs into a fleet, depends on the municipality’s goals. It helps to clarify the associated costs, even when electric vehicles are at a higher price point than traditional fleet cars, vans, and trucks.
EV Fleet Management
Without fleet management, it’s difficult to build and maintain a cost-effective and efficient fleet. Fleet managers can take advantage of our operating system to track everything from charging costs, to electrical usage, mileage, and maintenance expenses. It’s also a good idea to track the age and condition of the vehicle for insurance purposes.
Fleet managers can also use a spreadsheet, but our available software tools simplify everything.
Fleet managers interested in learning more about our advanced cloud-based operating system can click here. For those who would like a OS demo, you can schedule a call that fits your needs.
PEV Fleet Procurement Analysis
Analyzing PEV costs is different from determining the expense associated with gas-powered vehicles. Along with vehicle procurement costs, fleet owners and managers also need to account for electricity usage and charging equipment expenses.
To help with the analysis, the Electrification Coalition, Atlas Policy has a free, downloadable, Microsoft Excel-based tool. The description for the tool reproduced from the Atlas Policy website is as follows:
Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification (DRVE)
“Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification, or DRVE, is a powerful tool that equips users with decision-relevant information on the financial viability and environmental impact of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle fleet procurements across an entire fleet. The Microsoft Excel-based tool can evaluate a variety of procurement ownership structures, vehicle types, electric vehicle charging configurations, and many more scenarios.
In a nutshell, the tool allows users to import all fleet vehicles and compare a fleet’s conventional vehicles with an electric vehicle alternative. The analysis compares vehicles on a total cost of ownership basis along with well-to-wheels emissions based on regional electrical grid characteristics.”
The U.S. Department of Energy also offers resources for selecting PEVs. You can compare PEVs from 1984 to the present to find the vehicles that meet your fleet needs. Information on electric and hybrid cars is included, but you will not find details on purchasing details.
Other resources related to the costs associated with purchasing, installing, and managing PEC equipment is available at,
- Placement of PEV Chargers
- How do I Charge a PEV?
- Resources to Purchase PEVs and Charging Equipment
Document PEV Performance
Municipalities want to document the performance and usage of their first PEV(s). Some of the data fleet owners and managers should track include mileage and electricity usage, along with employee drivers’ reviews of the vehicle’s performance. The information provides valuable data municipalities can use in their future PEV decisions.
When you are ready to start incorporating EVs into your municipal fleet, contact an Apogee Charging Solutions specialist with your questions. Call 484-816-2076, emailing [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your need by clicking the button below.
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