Most of the transit fleet for a California city were sitting idle and uncharged in an EV fleet “graveyard.” Using multiple types of chargers and vehicles, the city ran into problems coordinating infrastructure to keep the right vehicles in the right place at the right time for charging.
Infrastructure issues are one of the main blockers to successful EV fleet transitions. Funding and vehicle selection round out the list of woes that often stop a fleet transition cold. Here are three workarounds to get your funding, vehicle, and infrastructure progress unblocked, plus a happy ending for this fleet management team.
Funding: From Frustration to Fulfillment
The Problem:
Fleet electrification often starts with sticker shock. EVs, charging infrastructure, and energy upgrades require upfront investment, and many fleets struggle to secure capital or navigate the complex landscape of incentives.
The Workaround:
Start by mapping out all available funding sources including federal, state, local, utility, and OEM. Many programs are time-sensitive or require specific documentation, so early planning is key. Consider working with consultants or partners who specialize in incentive stacking and grant applications. They can help you identify eligibility, prepare filings, and maximize your funding potential.
Pro Tip:
Don’t wait for full funding to begin. Pilot programs and phased rollouts allow you to start small, demonstrate ROI, and build internal momentum, making it easier to unlock future investment.
Vehicle Selection: Choosing with Confidence
The Problem:
With a growing array of EV models, fuel types (electric, hydrogen, hybrid), and duty cycles, selecting the right vehicles can feel overwhelming. Fleet managers understandably worry about range, reliability, and long-term value.
The Workaround:
Use Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) modeling to compare EVs against internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles across lifecycle costs, maintenance, fuel, and emissions. Factor in your fleet’s specific routes, payloads, and depot behavior. Scenario modeling can help you choose which vehicles to convert and when.
Pro Tip:
Run a pilot with 3–5 vehicles to validate assumptions. Include driver training, depot readiness, and performance monitoring. Real-world data will help refine your strategy and build confidence across departments.
Infrastructure: Building for Today and Tomorrow
The Problem:
Charging infrastructure is often the biggest unknown. Where will you charge? How much power do you need? Will the grid support it? Fragmented suppliers and unclear utility coordination can derail even the best-laid plans.
Figure 1: This California city faced significant infrastructure challenges partway through their EV fleet transition.
The Workaround:
Start with an infrastructure feasibility study. Assess grid capacity, load profiles, and interconnection readiness at key sites. Work with utilities early to align on tariffs, demand charges, and DERMS (Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems) compatibility. Consider mobile charging solutions for pilot fleets or remote depots to avoid delays.
Pro Tip:
Centralized charge management systems (CMS) offer real-time visibility and control across chargers and vendors. They simplify operations, improve uptime, and prepare your fleet for future integration with telematics and energy systems.
Back to California, where Panasonic helped turn an EV transit fleet with only 10% of vehicles working into a fully functioning transit system with 100% of operational vehicles functioning, and the remaining targeted for upgrades or repairs. Our CMS unified disparate chargers, simplified monitoring, and restored operations.