Transitioning to an electrified fleet: from challenge to opportunity.

It’s a journey that all logistics providers will need to make, as internal combustion engines (ICEs) are slowly phased out. That and the fact that a growing number of customers are calling for more sustainable transport solutions.

However, even as vehicle manufacturers expand their range of electric trucks and vans, Fleet Managers are recognizing that the transition involves more than just a change in motive power.

Changes to business as usual

BEVs bring with them a host of benefits to excite logistics firms. These can range from whisper quiet operation for inner-city distribution, to fewer moving parts that promise to lower overall maintenance costs.

But they also introduce various changes to ‘business as usual’. For example, the charging aspect alone raises two important questions for Fleet Managers and owners:

• Where will charging positions need to be located?
• How will charging times impact scheduling?

Then there are the concerns relating to the charging infrastructure that’s available to support longer journeys. Addressing these will require careful planning, and possibly significant changes to route selection, time management, and even pricing models.

Most importantly however, careful planning will be vital for addressing the inevitable range and queue ‘anxiety’ of drivers worried about running out of power – at the worst possible moment.

The refrigeration dimension

An additional factor for logistics firms operating in the global cold chain, is understanding where their transport refrigeration units (TRUs) fit within the wider transition to electric. Getting it right is critical due to the necessity of temperature-controlled transport and the sheer scale involved.

Then there’s the need to address ‘load anxiety’. Fearing that the battery range is not sufficient for a particular journey, or that the charging infrastructure along the route is inadequate, drivers will increasingly demand real-time battery data.

Embracing the future

With the deadline for the end of ICE vehicle sales looming on the horizon, it’s inevitable that all cold chain fleets will begin accelerating the move to BEVs. It’s a transition that brings with it a variety of challenges, yet with careful planning these can quickly be turned into opportunities. And with Frigoblock and Thermo King you’ll be able to call on the latest all-electric innovation needed to embrace the future with confidence.

Whatever your fleet needs, Thermo King and Frigoblock are ready to help you succeed.