In the past, there has been a lot of superstition towards the safety of electric vehicles. A few viral videos of an electric vehicle catching fire circulated the internet, and their overall safety was questioned. With any new and developing technology, it is wise to remain wary however with safety always at the forefront of the design and manufacturing of vehicles, electric vehicle safety is little cause for concern.
For any potential buyers who see safety as a barrier to purchasing an electric vehicle, let’s look at some of the reasons why safety is not something you should be worried about.
Are electric car fires common?
While it’s definitely a possibility for electric vehicles to catch fire, it’s even more possible for a vehicle using a combustion engine to catch fire.
In a 2014 study, the Research Institutes of Sweden concluded that whilst electric cars made by Tesla had a fire rate of 1 in 20,000, the fire rate in ICE vehicles was 1 in 1,000.
Simply put, a Tesla electric car is 20 times less likely to catch fire than a fossil fuel burning vehicle.
What is being done to prevent electric vehicle fires?
Safety is a huge priority for manufacturers when building an electric vehicle.
Batteries are very well protected in crash resistant frames. They are also mounted as low as possible, and away from areas likely to be crumpled in a heavy impact. This is all to stop any material piercing the battery, which is where issues might start.
If a cell within the battery does get damaged, it could short circuit and cause flammable electrolytes to ignite. This can cause a chain reaction, causing large, sometimes inextinguishable fires. You can see why the safety of each electric vehicle is of high importance to manufacturers.
Electric vehicles are also fitted with sensors that detect collision. When this happens, any high voltage connections are severed. This greatly reduces the risk of the vehicle catching fire after an accident.
Electric vehicles fitted with noise emitters
Another concern regarding the safety of electric vehicles is that they don’t naturally emit much noise. Whilst this sounds a lot less frightening than the chance of the battery catching fire, it could be just as dangerous.
We are used to hearing cars – we know they are there and which direction they are coming from. We wouldn’t cross the road without looking if we could hear a car behind us.
The obvious issue with electric vehicles is that if pedestrians can’t hear them coming, they could unknowingly put themselves in harm’s way.
Luckily, guidelines in the UK dictate that electric vehicles must contain an acoustic vehicle alert system (AVAS). The legislation means that cars must emit a sound with a minimum volume of 56 decibels. This is about the same volume as a quiet conversation. On a quiet street, the AVAS is enough to make pedestrians aware of the vehicle’s presence.
As of 2021, all new electric cars must have AVAS fitted. Hopefully, concerns about low noise levels will be a thing of the past by the time we get to the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel production.
What happens to electric car batteries in a crash?
Batteries can be volatile, so it’s understandable that there might be some concern over how electric cars will react in the unfortunate event of a crash. While an electric car battery could explode or ignite in the case of a crash, electric vehicles undergo the same rigorous safety testing as combustion engine vehicles, and are just as safe in a collision.
Modern electric cars feature a host of safety measures to prevent the ignition of batteries during a crash such as sensors, circuit breaks, and other system features designed to detect potential damage before it happens.
Additionally, since hot batteries are more likely to explode, these vehicles utilise a range of different cooling systems to keep the battery temperature as low as possible. This further reduces the risk of any further disaster should a collision occur.
How to ensure safety on the road
Whilst we can compare the safety of electric vehicles and ICE vehicles, the overall safety of any vehicle is determined by the driver.
Continuing to drive with 100% focus on the road is the simplest, most effective way to avoid any accidents that could cause fires. Keep distractions out of reach, and always be aware of other motorists.
For fleet managers, using telematics allows you to monitor whether your drivers are being safe. You’ll be able to see which of your drivers are prone to speeding, aggressive turns and breaking, tailgating and other erratic habits. Any action taken with this information is down to the fleet manager, but teaching drivers to avoid these habits will make the roads safer for everyone.
From 2022, all new cars will be fitted with speed limiters in Europe and the UK. The technology can be disabled for overtaking and joining motorways, but data will also be stored so that, in the case of an accident, police can determine whether the driver was at fault.
If you’d like to know more about how telematics can improve your fleet’s safety, get in touch with our team.
Whether expanding your electric fleet, encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles amongst your workforce, or simply keeping an eye on the electric HGV market; many fleet managers are now steadily acknowledging and embracing the key role that electric vehicles will play in services moving forwards.
Whichever stage of the electrification journey your fleet is currently at, it pays to know about the ins and out of these evolving vehicles, including how they are charged.
You might be aware of the fundamental differences between AC and DC charging, but do you know how they apply to the charging of electric vehicles? In this blog we will take a look at just that, going over what each of these are and how they apply to electric vehicle.
What is AC and DC
AC stands for “alternating current” and is an electric current which sees the flow of electrons change in direction periodically. DC stands for “direct current” and as the name would suggest it flows in a constant direction. AC is acquired from the grid and needs to be converted into DC to power electric vehicles.
Charging EVs with AC vs DC
When charging an electric vehicle, the type of charger will have an impact on how it charges and how quickly the battery reaches full charge.
Charging at an AC charging point will require the vehicles being charged to convert the power they receive from AC to DC. These types of charging points take the AC current from the grid and carry it to the vehicles, but the task of converting the current to DC must be completed by the vehicle itself.
When charging with a DC charge point, the current is converted to DC within the charger which means the electricity that enters the electric car is ready to use. Removing the task of converting the AC current to DC after the power enters the vehicle means the charge time with DC chargers is faster.
What this means in simple terms is that AC chargers can be found in the form of slow and fast EV chargers, while rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are DC chargers.
Are home chargers AC or DC?
If you have a home charge point installed it will almost definitely be an AC charger. While you could have a DC charger installed at home, it is much more costly for both the equipment and the skills required, as well as the power needed to operate them.
Whilst it sounds tempting to have a fast charger at home, given that most electric cars will fully charge in between 4-8 hours, an AC charger is more than suitable for most EV drivers needs.
Allstar Homecharge from Fuel Card Services
Whether AC or DC, managing charging costs can feel like a troublesome chore for both fleet operators and drivers. Calculating what is owed can become a gargantuan task, especially with a large fleet of electric vehicles.
However, if your fleet drivers charge their vehicles at home there is a solution to help alleviate the stress of calculating mileage for AER. Allstar Homecharge integrates with home charging solutions to calculate the spend on charging at home, so you and your driver know exactly what has been paid.
Allstar Homecharge and other charging solutions, including charge cards, can all be found from Fuel Card Services. Get in touch with our team today to discuss what your fleet could benefit from.
Second-hand vehicles are a great option for businesses looking to expand their fleet without spending too much to do so. When it comes to buying electric vehicles, new models often carry a hefty price tag that can make adding electric vehicles to the fleet financially unviable. Buying second-hand can help fleets of all sizes and budgets to increase their environmental sustainability and get ahead of the NetZero 2050 initiative.
Like buying any vehicle second-hand, however, the second-hand EV market can feel like a minefield. We have put together a quick buying guide for fleet managers exploring the possibility of second-hand electric fleet vehicles, outlining some of the most important things to remember before investing in used EVs.
Service history
A full service history is essential for purchasing any used vehicle, including electric, and a service history with big gaps should be a red flag. While vehicle servicing looks a little different for electric vehicles compared to their combustion engine counterparts, acquiring vehicles you can trust have been looked after properly is vital.
Can you service your fleet EVs?
You’ll want your used fleet EVs to have been properly serviced before they arrive with you, but are you able to continue to service them moving forward? Depending on the size of your fleet and the location of your business, you might find it tricky to find a conveniently located garage that offers EV servicing. Make sure to check the services near your before you put your money into used electric vehicles and subsequently realise they are going to be a nightmare to get serviced.
Battery health
Battery health decreases over time and this applies just the same to electric vehicles as it might to a laptop or smartphone. Many things can contribute to battery degradation in EVs, including the use of faster charging points, overcharging, and running until ‘empty’. While you won’t be able to know if these actions have impacted the used EVs you are looking at, it’s important you get a good idea of the battery’s overall health and charging capacity.
Additionally, you’ll want to know about the battery’s warranty, including how long it lasts and if it can be transferred to new owners.
Cables and leads
We’re all guilty of misplacing cables and leads, and the panic sets in when battery power runs low. It can be easy to survive without a phone charge for a little while, but you will be in a sticky situation should you need to replace the charging cables and leads for your newly acquired used EV. You can replace these vital pieces of kit, but you are going to be looking at a hefty additional price to pay on top of what you have already spent on your vehicle.
As such, make sure the used electric vehicles you add to your fleet come with the charging cables you need to keep them running.
Range
Understanding EV range is important whether you are looking to buy new or used, and will be a big influence in your decision making. Range anxiety is not quite the concern it used to be, with more charge points cropping up regularly and range capacity increasing with each new model of EV. However, when purchasing used EVs and especially older ones, it’s important you understand what minimum range your fleet vehicles require.
For example, in 2018 the majority of midrange electric vehicles had a range of between 100-125 miles on a fully charged battery. Taking into account battery degradation, this potential mileage is lowered by approximately 2.3% per year, making the mileage capacity approximately 86-110 miles in 2023.
Depending on the types of journeys your fleet vehicles are making day to day, this might be plenty of mileage for many fleets and shouldn’t be a concern. However, if your drivers are regularly taking trips of upwards of 100 miles on tight schedules, then this mileage capacity could be limiting and not a good fit for your fleet.
Charging
The final major consideration you need to make when acquiring electric fleet vehicles, both new and used, is if your business premises and your driver’s homes (if necessary) have the infrastructure to support efficient charging.
Relying solely on public charge points is most likely going to be unsustainable for any fleet that isn’t very small. Instead, have you considered the infrastructure you would need to invest in? Installing charge points for your electric fleet vehicles means convenient charging on the business premises and can even be subsidised by the government through the Workplace Charging Scheme.
Additionally, if your drivers keep their fleet vehicles at home then there are grants available to help cover the cost. Of course, it can be complicated to manage mileage allowance with home charging, so implementing tools like Allstar Homecharge can help to ensure that no one is out of pocket for charging carried out at home.
Allstar Homecharge from Fuel Card Services
Allstar Homecharge is an EV charging solution designed to take the hassle out of charging company vehicles at home. Whereas previously reclaiming charging allowance has been inaccurate and often left drivers out of pocket for the money they spend charging at home, Allstar Homecharge integrates with most home charge systems to calculate the costs of charging business vehicles. These costs are then charged directly to the business.
Less administration, less uncertainty, and a more convenient and cost-effective way to charge.
You’ll no doubt have heard a lot about technologies such as fleet vehicle tracking and telematics in recent years. These tools are an increasingly important part of any business’ fleet operations. Without them, firms won’t have crucial insight into what their drivers are doing or how to improve efficiency.
But if you’re unfamiliar with these technologies, you may be asking ‘What’s the difference?’ Business Vehicle tracking solutions and telematics are sometimes used interchangeably. But in fact, there are a wide range of differences that separate the two. Therefore, if you’re looking to reduce fuel costs, boost safety or increase productivity, you’ll need to know exactly what they do.
What is vehicle tracking?
Vehicle tracking, as the name suggests, lets you keep an eye on your fleet at all times. Using satellite-based GPS technology that feeds information back to the base via mobile networks, you can see where all your vehicles are in real time. This includes who’s on the move, who’s at an appointment and who might be available.
This can assist you in making better decisions about how to run your fleet. As well as helping drivers find their destination, the data gleaned from this can be used to help fill in mileage reports and other records.
What is a vehicle tracking device?
A vehicle tracking device is a GPS vehicle tracking system that enables real-time monitoring of a vehicle’s location, movement, and behaviour.
Installed discreetly within the vehicle, these devices send data to a central server or application, allowing users to track the fleet vehicle’s route, speed, and stops from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Vehicle tracking software
This software enables users to view detailed maps, track routes, and analyse driving data from a central platform or vehicle tracking app on a computer or mobile device.
It is commonly used in fleet management to enhance operational efficiency, improve route planning, and ensure driver safety.
Vehicle tracking employee rights GOV UK
According to GOV UK guidelines on vehicle tracking and employee rights, workers must be informed about how their personal data is collected and used. Employees must give explicit consent before any commercial vehicle tracking starts and have the right to access the data collected about them by the company.
Best vehicle tracking device
FleetCheck is a comprehensive fleet management solution offered by Fuel Card Services, designed to streamline and enhance the management of your vehicle fleet. This service provides a range of tools to monitor and optimise fleet operations, including real-time tracking, detailed reporting, and maintenance management.
FleetCheck helps businesses improve efficiency by providing insights into vehicle usage, fuel consumption, and compliance with regulations. By leveraging this technology, companies can reduce operational costs, ensure better vehicle performance, and make data-driven decisions to manage their fleets more effectively.
Vehicle tracking costs
In the UK, the cost of vehicle tracking systems varies depending on the device, features, and service provider.
Typically, the initial purchase price for a tracking device ranges from £20 to £150. Basic models with standard GPS tracking are on the lower end, while advanced devices with features such as real-time diagnostics or driver behaviour monitoring can be more expensive.
Installation costs can range from £40 to £100 per vehicle if professional installation is needed, although some devices are designed for DIY installation.
Most vehicle tracking services in the UK charge a monthly or annual subscription fee, usually between £8 and £40 per month, which covers data transmission and access to tracking platforms. Additional costs may apply for extra features or data usage beyond the plan limits.
Despite these expenses, investing in vehicle tracking can significantly enhance fleet management, improve security, and help reduce overall operational costs.
Benefits of vehicle tracking
Vehicle tracking solutions help you build a picture of where your vehicles are and how to best optimise their routing. Real-time tracking can ensure drivers avoid any congestion points and provide accurate estimates for when they can expect to arrive at their destination. In turn, this helps with overall planning and can even boost customer satisfaction by giving them more info on when to expect your employees.
A GPS vehicle tracking system can also help you spot any vehicles that are being used where or when they shouldn’t. For example, you’ll be able to see if a car or van is being used out of hours. Geofencing solutions can also enable you to set up a designated area for your operations. If a vehicle strays outside of these restrictions, you’ll quickly be able to see this. This will also be hugely valuable if you fall victim to theft, as it can help the police home in on the vehicle.
What is telematics?
Vehicle tracking services alone, however, only offer a partial picture. This is where telematics comes in. A key factor that separates telematics from simpler vehicle tracking solutions is the amount of telematics data and reporting tools you have available.
A good telematics box will offer all the same benefits as a GPS tracking system, but will also build on this with much more detailed information about the vehicle and its driver. For instance, telematics tools offer more insight into how the vehicle is being driven. It can record not only speed, but also information about how frequently or harshly the accelerator and brakes are being used. It can also show you how long engines spend idling.
Elsewhere, integration with the vehicle’s diagnostic computer can give you an early warning of any potential issues, letting you better plan for any repairs or maintenance.
What is a telematics device or software?
Telematics software can also integrate directly with reporting tools on a telematics app. This helps you easily calculate fuel usage, driving hours and expense claims, to name but a few. With information displayed in easy-to-use dashboards, you have a complete picture of everything your fleet is doing at your fingertips.
What is telematics insurance?
Telematics insurance, also known as usage-based insurance, is a type of car insurance where premiums are determined based on the driver’s actual behaviour and usage patterns rather than traditional risk factors.
The data is transmitted to the insurance provider, who then uses it to assess risk and calculate premiums.
Fleet businesses that demonstrate safe driving behaviours and low mileage may benefit from lower insurance costs.
This approach offers a more personalised insurance experience and can reward conscientious fleet drivers, while potentially offering valuable feedback to help improve driving habits.
The best telematics device
Our Tele-Gence telematics device is one of the best options available for comprehensive vehicle tracking and management.
This advanced device provides real-time data on driving behaviour, vehicle location, and performance metrics.
By integrating with a sophisticated telematics platform, Tele-Gence enables users to monitor key parameters such as speed, acceleration, and fuel consumption, offering valuable insights that can help improve fleet efficiency and safety.
Its user-friendly interface allows for easy access to detailed reports and alerts, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to optimise their fleet operations and enhance overall management.
Benefits of telematics
One of the key benefits of a good telematics solution is the impact it can have on driver behaviour. With the system recording a wide variety of metrics, you can easily see who’s driving sensibly and who could be putting themselves and other road users at risk. This lets you step in with training programmes, a warning or even disciplinary action for those who are frequently speeding, tailgating or otherwise driving erratically.
As well as making your fleet safer, this also has a direct impact on your fuel consumption. Smoother driver inputs and less time spent idling means you use less petrol or diesel. As this is one of the biggest expenses for any fleet, this is a simple way of reducing your expenditure and saving the company money.
This is before you take into account the fuel savings that can be achieved through better monitoring and route planning. As well as ensuring your drivers are following routes that provide the best efficiency, fuel tracking systems offer a quick and easy way of reducing your consumption and protecting your business.
Cracking down on fuel fraud
You can also see at a glance where and when fuel cards are being used by your drivers, and ensure the time and location match the vehicle. This is a vital tool in cracking down on fuel fraud issues such as people sharing cards and using them to fill up personal vehicles.
Fuel fraud is a significant problem for many firms, with research from Shell revealing that almost two-thirds of fleet managers in the UK (65 per cent) view this as a major issue. If left unchecked, it could easily end up costing you huge amounts of money, so you must be able to spot this and take action.
Improving your day-to-day workload
A good telematics system also means much less time spent on paperwork. With detailed reporting on everything from fuel efficiency and mileage to emissions, it automates and streamlines what would otherwise be tedious manual tasks. This also ensures accuracy and leaves you free to spend your time on more worthwhile, value-adding activities.
A complete fleet management solution
A telematics solution therefore offers a full fleet management and vehicle tracking solution. Compare this to a more limited GPS-only monitored service and it’s easy to see where the extra value lies.
Research by Verizon suggests effective telematics software offers a wide range of benefits. Among the results businesses have seen include:
Fuel economy improved by 18 per cent
Economical driving increased by 15 per cent
Harsh braking incidents are down by 77 per cent
Engine idle time was reduced by 64 per cent
Driving hours decreased by 24 per cent
How Fuel Card Services can help with Vehicle tracking and telematic needs
If you’d like to know more about what telematics or vehicle tracking can do for your business, get in touch with our experts today.
Telematics is a big deal for the fleet sector. Deploying this technology lets you transform your fleet management, giving you better insight into every part of your operation. This can be used for everything from better route planning to ensuring safer driving.
If you aren’t using telematics, you’re in an increasingly small minority. According to IBIS WorldIndustry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.7% over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.2bn in 2024 showing just how quickly telematics is growing.
So what is telematics, and what do you need to know to make it a success?
What is a telematics box?
A telematics box is a small device that’s fitted to your vehicles. It’s sometimes called a ‘black box’ and it works in much the same way as one on an aeroplane. It collects a wide range of data about the vehicle, letting you know exactly what it’s been up to.
Key information collected by telematics systems include:
Location
Speed
Driver inputs
Fuel consumption
Vehicle faults
Idling time
These are just a few of the systems telematics technologies can monitor. With an advanced solution, you can keep an eye on every aspect of your fleet’s performance and your drivers’ behaviour.
How do telematics work?
GPS tracker
There are a few key parts to any telematics system. The first is a GPS tracker. This monitors the vehicle’s movements and provides you with a clear map of exactly where it’s been and how long it took to get there.
Data collection
Secondly, there are a range of sensors hooked up to various parts of the vehicle to gain further information. These can measure throttle, braking and steering inputs, for example, but it doesn’t stop there. With the right sensors, you can measure everything from when the doors are opened to the temperature of a trailer.
Data transmission
Finally, there’s a mobile data connection to transmit the data back to your system. After all, the info is useless unless it can be collected and analysed. This typically uses a 4G mobile connection or a radio network, though some can even connect via satellite.
Data storage and analysis
All this data is then fed in real time back to your business, where it’s evaluated by fleet management software. This then provides insights into your fleet’s activities and highlights recommendations for improvements in a range of areas.
How Are Telematics Systems Installed?
Installing telematics is straightforward, and you don’t need any special tools. You’ll get a small device connected to the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port, usually located under the dashboard near the driver’s seat. Once connected, it starts collecting and sending data.
Ensure a good fit so the device stays connected and transmits data without interruption. If you’re not confident about the fit, consider getting professional help installing the device.
Open telematics platform
As technology has evolved, telematics systems have moved from a standalone approach to an open platform. Companies can integrate other hardware accessories, software, and mobile apps through open-platform telematics for greater efficiency and insight into business operations.
Popular telematics integrations include dash cameras, dispatching and route optimisation, mobile forms, remote diagnostics, and weather alerts.
Why use telematics?
Having a telematics device installed therefore offers many benefits to your business. For instance, insurance companies often offer discounts to customers who have this technology installed. This means you can start saving money even before the key is turned in the ignition.
However, the advantages of telematics are very wide-ranging. Here are some of the key ways it can give your fleet a boost.
1. Reduced fuel costs
Cutting your fuel consumption is a key benefit of telematics. The technology does this in a number of ways.
For instance, data from GPS systems can be used to improve your planning. Fleet management software can identify more efficient routes that cut out unnecessary mileage or minimise time spent in traffic with the engine idling.
Telematics also helps your drivers understand how they can change their behaviour to use less fuel. If an employee is accelerating or braking too harshly, for example, this can be picked up by the black box’s sensors. This information can then be used to give them advice on how to adopt a smoother driving style.
It’s not just improving fuel consumption where driver behaviour can be improved. The use of telematics also plays a vital role in making sure your drivers are as safe as possible on the road.
One of the simplest ways it does this is by making drivers aware their actions are being monitored. This is often enough to change their behaviour, encouraging them to take fewer risks such as speeding and steering erratically.
If the system does detect concerning driver inputs, this allows fleet managers to step in and offer training. They can even deliver a warning if an individual is found to be frequently breaking the rules of the road.
3. Improved fleet maintenance
Telematics boxes are often connected directly to a car’s main computer. This allows them to access and report on any error codes or other diagnostics flagged by the vehicle’s sensors.
Being able to view data on wear and tear in real time means you can schedule maintenance proactively. You can set up systems to program a service based on mileage, time or engine use, for example. This is much more accurate than relying on manual tracking and greatly reduces the chances of anything going wrong.
It also allows you to spot faults as soon as they occur, removing the need to rely on driver reports for any issues such as engine warning lights. Therefore, you can fix these problems before they have a chance to lead to a breakdown or unplanned time off the road.
4. Better fleet planning and management
We noted above how telematics can help optimise route planning for fuel efficiency, but this is far from the only way it can improve your fleet management.
For example, it can provide firms with a clear, accurate picture of exactly how long employees spend behind the wheel. This can be vital in ensuring you’re meeting rules for driving hours and keeping the correct records.
Elsewhere, if someone is using a vehicle on their own time without permission, you can spot this easily. You can even set limits on where a vehicle is allowed to be, so you can be alerted by the GPS systems if a driver travels outside this perimeter.
The future of fleet telematics
The era of vehicle connectivity is upon us. Whether driving your vehicle or managing a fleet, constant communication with nearby vehicles is already achievable through telematics.
Telematics systems will continue to become better integrated with other operational systems and improve while M2M technology expands. The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), smart homes, and smart city technologies are great examples of the rapid evolution of this space.
Telematics for business: Fuel Card Services
The benefits of telematics solutions are clear. If you’d like to learn more about these options and what options are available, get in touch with our experts to see how you can save time and money.
