The big picture
Often, businesses get caught up in the operational hurdles and continuity concerns of fleet decarbonisation, or they view it primarily as a cost. The event was a timely reminder that there are exciting opportunities on the other side of the transition, from new revenue streams to greater resilience against disruption.
The real question is whether a business chooses to be a first mover or a follower, and what steps can be taken now to accelerate its transformation and innovation journey.
Keynote
James Pestell from the AFP (Association for Fleet Professionals) kicked off the event with an informative keynote speech. He provided everyone with an overview of the main challenges and developments, and highlighted that despite the fact that fleets are at the forefront of the EV transition, there are a multitude of obstacles. James also shed some light on what the AFP is aiming to do for fleets, including offering training and apprenticeship, creating a committee to drive improvements for shared charging, and much more.
Some of the key takeaways included that while policy plays a large role, practical solutions are required to meet emission goals. There is also a continuous insufficiency of charging infrastructure, regardless of progress. And beyond technology and innovation, we can see a shortage of skills and skilled workers. Investment and support of up- and re-skilling are required to build a strong and capable workforce for the present and future, which is something that is taken seriously by the AFP.
Start-ups
We also heard from three brilliant start-ups from the UK and Germany that provide highly innovative solutions for fleets.
Fleevo provides a data integration and analytics system based on AI for commercial fleets, incorporating different systems for intelligent & actionable insights and more seamless management. Importantly, the system is integrated with existing IT systems, meaning that no significant effort or resources are required to implement their solution. It is simply connected alongside the existing IT landscape at a low effort.
CO2OPT deals with efficient tire management, a factor that plays a major role in vehicle efficiency. Their customers see cost benefits and emissions reduction as a result of their data-driven system. Pairing the right tires with the right vehicles can reduce up to 10% of fuel costs – in addition to the CO2e savings. This is especially useful for heavy vehicles.
K2.Mobility is leading charging software for eHGV and buses. More specifically, the solutions provide route planning with slot management for depot charging, which are some of the most important factors for certain fleets in the logistics and public transport sector. The dynamic results are compiled by tracking vehicle performance and allow more flexible and efficient fleet management. The team emphasised that batteries don’t always need to be fully charged, but rather just enough based on the context to execute their route.
Panel
During the dynamic panel discussion, one thing was made abundantly clear: whoever is not embarking on the journey to decarbonisation and digital transformation will inevitably face significant problems and will be left behind.
Our expert speakers offered further insights into the challenges and some potential solutions. They highlighted that these transitions are essential for both small and large fleets alike, and that access to data is paramount for successful fleet operations and embracing innovation. It was also noted that new challenges will emerge over time, and that client needs will evolve, particularly with advancements in AI and its industry applications. A substantial hurdle that was identified is finding the right hardware and afterwards software, that gather the right data and put it through appropriate systems to make the data meaningful and actionable while keeping transformation costs low and leaving no significant gaps along the decarbonisation journey.
Sourcing funding towards enabling electrification remains a major obstacle, impacting everything from EV purchases, charging infrastructure and making considerations of batteries, to full depot conversions. For fleets operating on more static routes, the focus shifts from “range anxiety” to “charge anxiety” as the electric part of a fleet grows. The panel discussed the importance of smart charging rather than full battery charges, emphasizing the critical need for certainty that charging will occur precisely as planned. Ultimately, the panel concluded that fleet operators are not equipped with the necessary knowledge to participate in more meaningful in depth discussions around the subjects of how energy assets around (in particular batteries), can be utilised to not only reduce payback periods around heavy investments, but ultimately to create additional revenue streams.
What´s next?
We were joined by a room full of energetic, curious experts who shared valuable insights and real-world learnings on fleet decarbonisation. Feedback from attendees, highlighted that our curated networking format led to more focused and productive conversations and meaningful connections than typically seen at similar events.
Looking beyond the horizon, it’s clear there are many challenges and unknown opportunities around energy management that will play a central role in the evolution of fleet decarbonisation. Navigating the complexities of this shift will help fleet managers and operators to transition successfully to use Net Zero as a stronger driver for value. To continue the momentum, we’re planning a follow-up session after the summer, that takes a deeper view into the energy landscape, and how infrastructure and optimisation can drive new revenue models.
The journey to Net Zero is not a simple one – yes, it is about lowering costs, but more importantly it is about how new commercial opportunities can also be unlocked.
