We are all about sustainability here at BAM and we are excited to talk about the benefits of electric vehicles!  

 

Whether you are deciding what type of electric vehicle to add to your fleet, or already have an electric fleet in need of maintenance, our expert guide will show you the best maintenance strategy, plus some of the main benefits of using electric vehicles for your business.  

 

 Scroll down to learn more about maintaining your electric fleet: 

Benefits of an Electric Fleet 

 

While the cost of leasing or purchasing an electric fleet vehicle is generally greater than the cost of traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles, there are some amazing benefits to using an electric fleet for your business. 

 

Depending on the number of miles your fleet drives and how long you own the electric vehicles, you could see some significant savings down the line.  

 

Some of the benefits of an electric fleet include: 

 

• Reduced spending on fuel 
• Reduced maintenance 
• Greater driving range 
• Enhanced vehicle safety  
• More sustainable option 
• Better employee satisfaction and retention 
• Operational benefits such as less employee downtime, fewer trips to the gas station, reduced ambient noise.  

 

How Electric Cars Benefit the Bottom Line 

 

With an average driving range between 180-350 miles, businesses with light-duty vehicles can make a BIG impact on their bottom line with electric vehicles. Think about all the money and time spent at the gas pump…this could all be a thing of the past with an electric vehicle fleet. 

 

Many companies and local governments have chosen to go electric to provide their services and reduce their environmental impact overall. We are all for it here at BAM Fleet! 

 

Planning is essential for an electric vehicle fleet, which is where telematics comes in! Access to important data such as the level of charge, nearby chargers, and driver status is essential to ensure every electric fleet vehicle can make it to a charging station in time. Call Butler Automotive Management of Tampa, FL today for a telematics and GPS installation quote (813) 850-0022! 

 

 

 

Electric Fleet Maintenance 101  

 

So, what does it take to maintain an electric fleet? A lot less than a gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle, that’s for sure! Still, an electric vehicle (EV) is clearly not maintenance-free.  

 

There are periodic checks and services that must be performed to keep your vehicle’s warranty in effect. If you don’t follow their service schedule, your EV may not be covered by the manufacturer if it requires any repairs.  

 

Aside from general maintenance like tire rotation, replacing the cabin air filter, topping off windshield wiper fluid, and changing out the wiper blades, much of the maintenance comes down to mechanical inspections.  

 

Let’s not forget that there is also your EV’s battery pack to consider. By far the costliest component of your vehicle, the battery will degrade over time and lose some of its ability to maintain a full charge, though this happens very gradually. If you own your EV fleet vehicle for a long time and notice that its range between charges is declining, it’s probably time to swap out the battery pack or upgrade to a newer electric vehicle. 

 

Routine maintenance procedures to follow for your EV fleet: 

 

Brakes: Brake wear is comparatively lower than on a vehicle with friction brakes. EV’s have regenerative braking where they rely on the motor’s resistance to slow the vehicle down. Electric vehicles still have friction brakes, so look out for wear and tear.  

 

Powertrain: You may need to change the fluids in the direct drive or multi-speed transmission of your EV fleet vehicles. Each EV is different, be sure to consult your owner’s manual.  

 

Cooling: To keep their important electrical components from overheating, most electric vehicles use refrigerant or coolant to keep the charger, inverter, and battery pack cool. To maintain the cooling system’s efficiency, you may need infrequent coolant flushes or refrigerant charges.  

 

Tires: EVs should have their tires rotated every 5,000-10,000 miles.  

 

For businesses with small and large electric fleets, we can develop a program to fit your needs and goals. Call us today at 813.850.0022 and let one of our local fleet specialists show you how we can save you time and money by designing a Fleet Management Program that’s right for you and your electric fleet!  

 

 

Prolong the Life of Your Battery  

 

Just like in vehicles with an internal combustion engine, electric motors and battery packs WILL degrade over time. Here are our top tips to prolong the life of your battery pack: 

 

• Avoid extreme temperatures. Both extremely hot (ah Tampa Bay) and cold temperatures can have a negative effect on battery performance. Don’t worry, most EVs have auxiliary heating and cooling options to ensure that your battery pack temperature remains at a tolerable level. 

 

• Avoid regularly charging and depleting the battery pack. Charging the battery to full capacity then depleting it can degrade the battery over time. Many manufacturers prevent full capacity charging.  

 

• Avoid the regular use of fast chargers. Fast chargers can degrade the battery pack more quickly than with typical use. Use a Level 2 charger instead.  

 

 

Maintain Your Electric Fleet with BAM 

 

You focus on your team and growing your company, while we maintain and manage your electric vehicles. Our fleet management pros at Butler Automotive Management can install telematics and GPS into your company cars, and keep an eye on battery levels. Plus, we can help with common vehicle maintenance to keep your EV fleet out on the road.  

 

Say hello to more time! Call our fleet management specialists at (813) 850-0022 now to discuss mobile management for your EVs!