The recent controversy surrounding the USPS decision to hold off on a fully electrified fleet highlights a topic that many fleet managers are facing as they consider what their fleets will look like in 2023, 2025, and beyond: range anxiety. But these days, “range anxiety” isn’t an issue of, “Will my EV get me there?” Instead, it’s an issue of, “Will my charging network be there when I need it?”
Despite charging networks growing their size and reach, and even coffee chains like Starbucks are installing electric car chargers at a record pace, it’s far from the case that every network is everywhere. What’s more, the EV charging landscape isn’t like “gas stations,” in that charging stations don’t all work the same way.
That’s right— many networks have different ways of engaging with end users. Sometimes it’s as straightforward as swiping a credit card, and other times you need an app. Plus, since EV charging networks can be for a specific OEM or customer base, having broad access to chargers isn’t always feasible. In that context, it’s probably a bit easier for EV proponents to understand why fleets might be hesitant to make the switch.
Bottom line: when EV charging becomes easier for fleet managers and drivers, more fleets will make the switch to electric.
There’s Got to Be a Better Way!
Fleet managers need to be able to give their operators a solution that will enable them to pull up and pay at “electricity pumps”, just like how they can currently pull up and pay at “gas pumps.”
Image courtesy Kittiphan (Adobe)
That’s where Comdata comes into play.
Part of the FLEETCOR family of fuel and payment management products, Comdata offers electric fleet management solutions that provide broad access to a number of public chargers, and help to automate a lot of the “extra work” that has previously been an obstacle to EV adoption. Comdata even solves problems many fleet managers haven’t even considered yet— like how to reimburse drivers for at-home vehicle charging.
Finally, Comdata helps managers stay on top of their fleets by presenting all that gathered information in a robust reporting package that works as well for “pure” EV fleets as it does for both traditional gasoline/diesel and hybrid fleets.
Finally, the Comdata payment system is accepted anywhere a regular MasterCard is accepted for fuel, simplifying payments for employees on the road and making accounting easier with built-in approvals, controls, and a number of data insights to help streamline buying.
As one early EV adopter said, “Range anxiety doesn’t exist for me — what exists is an experience and accessibility gap.
Comdata is closing those gaps.
This article is supported by Comdata.
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