Understanding how electric vehicles (EVs) perform compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles is essential for effective fleet management. In our recent webinar "How EVs Work: What Fleet Managers Need to Know" - Robert Pepper delved into the core technical concepts that matter most when introducing EVs into a fleet - from energy efficiency, the real-world impacts of weight, modification, and towing.
Whether you're managing a fleet of light passenger vehicles or heavily modified utes, these are the insights you need to know.
Why weight impacts electric vehicle fleets
EVs are typically heavier than their petrol or diesel counterparts due to the size and density of their battery packs. Using the example of two Ford F-150s - one battery-electric and one petrol -Pepper highlights a weight difference of roughly 800 kg. While this may seem minor for a passenger vehicle, it has serious implications in commercial settings, including:
Reduced payload capacity
Impact on axle load limits
Increased wear on roads
Reduced towing efficiency
Fleet managers, this makes vehicle selection and configuration a critical part of planning and compliance.
EVs vs ICE: How electric vehicles use energy in fleet operations
One of the standout benefits of EVs is energy efficiency. While EV batteries hold less energy than a full tank of petrol or diesel, they use that energy far more effectively.
Pepper explains:
"EVs can convert up to 90% of their stored energy into motion, compared t just 25-30% for ICE vehicles."
But energy efficiency isn't static. It's highly dependent on speed and driving conditions:
For low speed/urban environments: EVs excel. Their regenerative braking systems recover energy during deceleration, and their direct drive systems waste less energy.
For high-speed/highway environments: Aerodynamics becomes the dominant factor, and regenerative braking becomes less effective. While EVs are still more efficient, the performance gap between EVs and ICE vehicles narrows significantly.
For fleets operating across diverse routes (i.e. urban and highway environments) this variation is critical when calculating real-world range and charging needs.
Energy density in commercial EV fleets
Pepper makes a key distinction between consumer EVs and fleet-use commercial EVs. For the average driver, energy density and charging time aren't critical - most road cars have sufficient range for daily use and can be charged overnight. But for larger fleet vehicles:
Battery size matters: Bigger batteries add weight, take longer to charge, and reduce payload.
Range varies more: Especially once vehicles are modified or towing.
Energy density becomes a limiting factor: Affecting operational flexibility and vehicle selection.
When scaling EVs across commercial fleets, understanding energy density helps ensure vehicles are matched to the right use cases.
How modifications affect EV range and efficiency
Modifying ICE vehicles is business as usual in many fleets - but those same changes have a bigger impact on how EVs perform. In the webinar, Pepper walked through a typical commercial ute fitted with:
Service bodies
Roof racks and under-rack storage
Two mirrors and snorkels
Bull bars and driving lights
Lift kits and raised ride heights
All these elements increase weight and create aerodynamic drag, reducing vehicle range and weakening the benefits of regenerative braking. In other words, the more you modify an EV, the more its real-world range diverges from the manufacturer’s specification.
Towing: A hidden strength of EV performance
Despite common misconceptions, EVs are excellent for towing. Their heavier base weight and instant torque give them strong trailer control and towing stability. However, as with heavily modified vehicles, towing does have a significant impact on range—something fleet managers must factor into operational planning.
Key takeaways for Fleet Managers
Q: Are electric vehicles more efficient than petrol or diesel for fleets? A: Yes. EVs convert up to 90% of stored energy into motion, compared to just 25–30% for ICE vehicles, making them more efficient for fleet use.
Q: What factors impact electric vehicle range in fleet operations? A: Weight, modifications, towing, and driving conditions all influence an EV’s real-world range in commercial fleets.
Q: Can electric vehicles tow trailers effectively? A: Absolutely. EVs offer strong towing control due to their instant torque and heavier base weight, but range planning is essential.
As your fleet evolves, understanding the fundamental differences between ICE and electric vehicles will help you make better procurement decisions, configure vehicles appropriately, and avoid unexpected operational challenges.
Want to explore this topic further?
This article provides just some of the insights shared by Robert Pepper in the Smartrak webinar “How EVs Perform: What Fleet Managers Need to Know.” This session is available on-demand and provides practical examples and deeper technical explanations for anyone involved in fleet operations or vehicle procurement. Watch the on-demand webinar here.
Click here to learn more about Smartrak's EV fleet management solutions and how we're helping organisations smooth their fleet transition.
