For many fleets, Plug-in Electric Vehicles, or PHEVs, are an appropriate entry-level strategy for reducing fleet emissions and fuel use. But only if they are used as intended.
Unfortunately, PHEV operational management that doesn’t include charging policies to encourage battery use over fuel use can lead to a laisse-faire approach from drivers. In this situation, drivers increasingly rely on the convenience of petrol or diesel as the main mode of propulsion rather than using them as a back-up for a predominantly electric mode of transport.
That situation needs to change if fleets are to gain the returns on PHEV investment that can be realised if PHEVs are used properly.
“Which all sounds great,” many readers will be thinking, “but high intentions don’t always match operational reality.”
It has to be acknowledged that ensuring PHEVs are being driven as much as possible on their batteries isn’t easy. There are policies around charging that need to be adopted to make predominantly battery driving possible and to change the habits of drivers.
The problem with PHEVs
It has to be stated that PHEV technology doesn’t make it easy for busy fleets to prioritise battery driving. Whereas almost all EVs can rapid-charge, most plug-in hybrid electric cars cannot. This means charge times are too long for most fleet PHEVs to charge during the working day – anything from 3.5 to 7 hours. This problem is further compounded by PHEVs having smaller batteries than an EV, so you’re taking longer to charge and getting less range for your efforts.
One way of effectively maintaining sufficient charge in a PHEV would entail a 1:1 charger/PHEV ratio at home base, so managers could mandate that all parked PHEVs are also plugged in. But this seems an extravagant and inefficient solution, especially when there are technologies that will communicate the real-time battery levels of fleet EVs and PHEVs to managers.
By deploying appropriate tech alongside buying in PHEVs, managers and drivers will be able to see at a glance the battery levels of vehicles and plug them in, if necessary. This simple and expedient strategy would ensure PHEVs are being topped-up during the day without impacting on operational agility. Of course, there will be occasions where a vehicle doesn’t return to base during the day and inevitably shifts over to the fossil fuel powertrain, but this would be the exception, rather that the default mode of operation.
Another option would be to support home-charging for vehicles that employees keep overnight. This could be included in your Vehicle Use Policy (VUP), alongside keeping the vehicle clean and checking lights. Some power companies even offer reduced or free charging during off-peak time periods.
If charging company vehicles at home is something you are considering, you need to be aware of an employer’s obligations. An industry leader in charging solutions that we spoke to, We.EV, uses a comprehensive checklist for home charging that ensures the integrity and safety of the system, although what’s required may put some fleets off the idea of home charging.
Is a change in attitude required?
One of Smartrak’s clients has an employee who is so taken by PHEVs that he regularly drives for a month without ever using fossil fuel. Instead, he plans each day to include battery top-ups at the sites he visits, or to coincide with rest stops. This employee is obviously taking exceptional care to reduce fuel use, but he is an example of planning ahead rather than relying on just-in-time fossil fuel fill-ups. To make the most of PHEVs, habits need to change. Ensuring a PHEV has sufficient charge should be second nature, just like topping up your phone.
You also should consider why you decided to include PHEVs in the fleet in the first place. If lowering fleet emissions is one of your goals you’re going to fail with PHEVs predominantly driven in fossil fuel mode. Research indicates that PHEVs typically produce 3.5 times more emissions than previously thought, mainly because they are spending too much time driving out of battery mode.
If you want to find out more about the solutions that help you to better manage fleet PHEVs, speak to a Smartrak specialist in lowering emissions today.
Smartrak is at the forefront of supporting organisations in the electrification of their fleets, helping them reduce emissions and improve efficiency through data-driven, fit-for-purpose solutions. As the transition to electric mobility accelerates across Australasia, Smartrak’s partnerships with forward-thinking organisations like Aurecon Group, Griffith University, and Meridian Energy are setting new standards in EV fleet management.
By collaborating closely with these organisations, Smartrak gains deep insights into the unique challenges and operational demands of managing an EV fleet - and uses that knowledge to create customised solutions that unlock the full potential of electric vehicles.
A strategic collaboration: Smartrak x Aurecon Group
In this article, Smartrak speaks with Rich Mitchell, Associate of Integrated Transport and Mobility at Aurecon Group, to explore how Smartrak’s EV Enablement solution is helping Aurecon overcome logistical hurdles and maximise their EV fleet utilisation across multiple sites.
Why Aurecon chose to partner with Smartrak
Rich Mitchell, Associate - Integrated Transport and Mobility, Aurecon Group
Q. What motivated Aurecon Group to collaborate with Smartrak on developing their EV telematics capabilities?
A. As existing customers of Smartrak, continuing our working relationship was an easy decision for us. While the current system serves us well, the opportunity to collaborate with Smartrak on a more tailored solution that aligns with our unique operational needs was compelling.
Unlocking flexibility in EV fleet operations
Q. What specific advantages does Smartrak's EV Enablement solution bring to your fleet management operations?
A. Smartrak’s EV Enablement solution offers us flexibility in managing our diverse fleet. We don’t want our workforce to be limited by geofences, time of day/night boundaries etc. as our projects can take us anywhere at any time. For instance, we work on projects such as new roads that don’t exist in current maps. Therefore, working with Smartrak allows us to cater for these requirements that may not apply to other businesses. This ensures our operations remain efficient regardless of time or location.
Smarter decisions with real-time EV fleet data
Q. How do you envision leveraging the insights and data provided by Smartrak's EV Enablement solution to optimise fleet performance and productivity?
A. The integration of Smartrak’s new system takes out much of the manual entry of data, providing us a more accurate picture of how vehicles are used and whether we are able to reduce our fleet or change vehicle types if the data shows a more suitable vehicle would apply. For example, if planning a trip to a remote location, the booking system could suggest a PHEV or hybrid as the most fit-for-purpose vehicle as opposed to an electric vehicle. By leveraging this data, we aim to enhance operational fleet efficiency, drive cost savings and achieve productivity gains.
Taking Aurecon Group's Tesla to a construction site.Aurecon Group's first MG acquired in Auckland, NZ.
Driving the future of EV fleets together
Alongside Aurecon Group, Smartrak remains dedicated to innovation, and collaboration in shaping the future of sustainable transportation. Smartrak’s EV Enablement solution effectively bridges the gap between conventional and electric fleets, ensuring fleet EVs work just as hard as conventional vehicles.
Whether you have already started electrifying your fleet, or are simply exploring the possibilities, Smartrak are the experts to provide support and guidance.
Get in touch to learn more about how they can assist you on your journey towards sustainable fleet management.
At the end 2023, Smartrak embarked on an initiative to further develop its EV enablement fleet management solutions by launching a customer-led initiative. This led to the formation of a Special Interest Group (SIG), comprising of some of Australasia’s leaders in EV transition, including Griffith University, Aurecon Group and Meridian Energy. Together with Smartrak, their objective is to collaborate on the development of industry-leading software that simplifies the integration and ongoing management of electric vehicles within modern fleets.
In this exclusive conversation, Smartrak sits down with SIG Member and Acting Manager of Parking, Traffic and Logistics at Griffith University, Mitchel Howard to explore how their collaboration is transforming fleet operations and enabling a smarter, more sustainable approach to managing EVs.
Why telematics is essential to EV fleet management
Q: As a customer who has already utilised Smartrak's Pool Booking solution, what motivated your decision to seek access to full-service EV telematics capabilities?
Mitchel Howard: In 2024, Griffith University purchased 20 new electric vehicles for our pool vehicle fleet. As we continue on our EV journey, it became essential to have the right tools that align with our evolving priorities. Smartrak’s EV enablement solution equips us with vital data - battery usage, charging optimisation, fleet emissions reporting, and visibility of our FBT exemptions. These insights are critical to driving performance, supporting compliance, and justifying further investment in EVs.
A booking system that puts EVs first
Q: What sets Smartrak's EV enablement tools apart from other fleet management solutions?
Mitchel Howard: The standout feature for us has been the redesigned booking system. It's more than just scheduling - it's a behavioural shift tool. The new trip planner being developed helps prioritise EVs for joureys, ensuring that the most fit-for-purpose vehicle is chosen for the task while nudging users toward more sustainable options. That's a huge help in accelerating our internal culture change. It also supports better utilisation, reducing the likelihood that EVs are underused while ICE vehicles stay overbooked.
Gaining insights that drive change
Q: How do you plan to use the insights from Smartrak's platform to further improve your fleet's performance and productivity?
Mitchel Howard: We're especially excited about the ability to collect user feedback through the PoolCar Trip Planning feature. Understanding why someone might avoid booking an EV - whether it's range anxiety or unfamiliarity - will help us tailor support. That might mean extra education, fleet reallocation, or charging infrastructure upgrades. These insights will be invaluable in fine-tuning our EV fleet management strategy.
The road ahead for fleet electrification
As we embrace the future of fleet management, it is clear that innovation is key to driving progress and sustainability. Smartrak’s EV enablement solutions represent a significant advance in managing EV fleets. By combining Smartrak’s EV-compatible telematics devices, with their integrated booking system, PoolCar, Fleet Managers can confidently navigate the transition to EVs, whilst ensuring a smooth and reliable EV experience for end users.
Take the next step towards future-proofing your fleet. Smartrak are eager to learn more about the electrification of your fleet and advise you where they can.
Smartrak is excited to announce the newest member of its EV Enablement Initiative, Meridian Energy. Meridian joins a Special Interest Group (SIG) alongside esteemed members Griffith University and Aurecon. The establishment of this SIG will see the development of industry-leading software by Smartrak, focused on facilitating the seamless integration, operation, and management of electric vehicles within fleets.
“A longstanding Smartrak customer, Meridian has achieved significant carbon emission reductions leveraging our solutions. We are thrilled to welcome Meridian to our EV Enablement Initiative where they will share their invaluable insights.”
Dr Sharlene Smith, Smartrak Business Manager - Sustainability Initiatives
In a series of collaborative meetings over the last few months, Smartrak’s SIG members have come together to contribute their expertise, insights, and pain points, to help shape the development of industry-leading EV enabling software. By addressing evolving priorities and challenges within the fleet management space, Smartrak’s EV Enablement Initiative is delivering an innovative suite of features that will make managing EV fleets as straightforward as any ICE fleet.
Smartrak delivers simplified EV management by providing our customers with remote battery data direct from the vehicle and enabling priority charging notifications based on upcoming bookings. Capturing data directly from the vehicle negates the need for a vehicle to be plugged into a costly smart charger to check its charging status. This capability results in significant time savings, simplified multi-site management and support for back-to-back vehicle bookings. Smartrak also offers enhanced EV and sustainability reporting, and an improved EV booking experience for end users, ensuring customers can deliver on their sustainability goals. Smartrak’s integrated booking system, PoolCar, now offers real-time visibility into EV range and emissions impact at time of booking and includes vehicle recommendations based on vehicle specific CO2 emissions and intended trip length. This collaborative approach to product development underscores Smartrak’s commitment to working closely with its customers to design industry-led solutions that empower them to successfully navigate and overcome the challenges presented by the adoption and integration of EVs within fleets.
About Smartrak
Smartrak proudly leads the charge as the foremost provider of advanced EV fleet management and Sustainable Transportation solutions and is dedicated to facilitating EV enablement, addressing administration, and streamlining fleet management throughout Australia and New Zealand. Our expertise positions us as the preferred choice for government agencies, councils, healthcare, and utilities organisations, assisting them in their transition to Net Zero by enhancing fleet visibility, optimising utilisation, right-sizing their fleets, and effectively managing their electrified vehicles.
If you're ready to adopt EVs into your fleet, or you're struggling to get good utilisation out of the EVs you have, get in touch with our team to find out how Smartrak can help.
