EV Model Selection for Fleets: Identifying Ideal Applications and Matching Vehicle Selection
Until very recently, it was common to hear “Well, EVs won’t work for us because our vehicles are used off-road and we need higher clearance.” We still get a lot of questions around EVs capable of handling off-road or inclement weather conditions.
Many light duty vehicle manufacturers now offer larger models that can be equipped with all wheel drive systems and increased ground clearance. The increased capability available from 8+ inches of ground clearance and all wheel drive offered by models like the bZ4X from Toyota, the Subaru Solterra and many plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options from manufacturers like Hyundai, Volvo and others open possibilities for electrification that were not an option just a few years ago. Some of these EV and PHEV options are typically thought of as more consumer oriented or not “fleet focused” but in today’s manufacturing climate, with limited vehicle availability and longer order to delivery times, fleets are finding it necessary to explore all options.
We track information on EV model AWD, clearance, and other features so we can identify models that meet our clients’ needs. Here’s our current list of EVs that might fit the bill if you’re looking for options that can handle off-road or other situations where additional traction and clearance are a necessity.
Several years ago I was working with a fleet manager in the midwest who was receiving some pushback from drivers transitioning from traditional SUV’s into electric hatchbacks. The primary concern expressed by the drivers was over ground clearance, citing an inability to perform daily job functions related to their roles as building inspectors. In some instances, off road driving was required on construction sites and in other industrial areas in the city that lacked paved roads. This concern is certainly valid and should be considered when making procurement decisions - the number one priority is that the drivers have to be able to safely conduct their work. When confronted with this concern from staff, the fleet manager measured the ground clearance on the existing SUVs and found it was 7.6 inches, an inch and a half higher than the EV alternative available at the time. Ultimately, the fleet decided to move forward with the EVs. By all accounts, the EVs have performed well in the application but some changes in driver behavior were required. As listed in the table above, you can see that there are several EV models available today that would require no compromise in this application, the soon to be available Nissan Ariya for example with its 7.8 inches of ground clearance and all wheel drive system.
Ultimately, today's higher gas and diesel prices combined with an increased number of electric models and a positive track record of success is driving deeper fleet electrification. Recognizing this trend, now is the time to evaluate possible EV application options, plan and install charging stations. More vehicle applications are now well suited to electrification and, through the use of data analytics, Sawatch Labs can help your fleet identify EVs that meet your operational needs and to plan for the next phase of fleet vehicle electrification.
-Jared Walker, Director of Fleet Optimization
