Power Boosters: Removing the Roadblocks to EV Fleet Charging
Led by industry giants like Hertz and their $4.2 million deal to purchase 100,000 Teslas, fleet operators are racing towards a future of fully electric fleets. While the environmental benefits of such a change are clear, the move does not come without challenges.
These challenges, which primarily stem from a lack of a robust charging infrastructure, must be resolved if the industry is to meet its net zero emission targets.
EV Fleet Charging Challenges
There are several challenges that fleet owners face when deciding to go electric, and at the heart of these concerns is how to charge and recharge lots of vehicles quickly – it is the question where infrastructure, profitability, and practicality meet, and which presents one of the biggest obstacles to EV fleet growth.
Lack of Charging Infrastructure
The ability to charge as many EVs as possible in a short period of time is hindered by limited grid capacity, a problem that is especially true in rural areas where charging stations are scarce. While governments and other key players have expressed commitment to making the necessary upgrades to the charging infrastructure in many countries, it is going to be a long and costly process. To remain competitive, fleet owners cannot afford to wait, yet investments in private charging facilities are also prohibitively expensive for many. This leads to the next challenge – the profitability of EV fleets without the infrastructure that exists for traditional cars.
Hits to Profitability
The ability to keep vehicles on the road for as much time as possible is key to profitability for many fleets, particularly in the car rental industry. This means that quick and accessible EV fleet charging is the key to a healthy business model. Going electric therefore requires a substantial upfront investment not just in the EVs themselves but in the charging infrastructure to keep them running. This can be a major hurdle for smaller businesses with limited budgets and a concern about the long-term return on investment (ROI) and operational costs for everyone. While EVs offer savings in the long run, the initial financial commitment can be intimidating.
Range Anxiety
Another challenge emerging from the lack of charging infrastructure is the “range anxiety” fear that electric vehicles won’t have enough battery power to meet operational needs, especially for fleets that require extensive travel. Routes and charging strategies have to be carefully planned to ensure that drivers can get the job done while avoiding situations where vehicles run out of charge.
In addition to concerns about infrastructure and its impact on profitability, there are other important challenges that fleet owners face when moving to EVs:
Maintenance Concerns
Electric vehicles require specialized maintenance, and this means investing in training for maintenance personnel to handle EV servicing and repairs effectively. Additionally, ensuring a consistent supply of service replacement parts for electric vehicles can be challenging, and the cost of these parts may vary.
Regulatory Requirements
Keeping up with evolving emission standards and regulations is a must as the industry standard transitions to electric vehicles. It’s not just about the vehicles themselves but also about meeting compliance requirements. Furthermore, navigating the landscape of grants, incentives, and tax benefits can be complex but is crucial to making the transition cost-effective.
Power Boosters: The Electrical Light in the Dark
Fortunately, solutions are available that address the urgent challenges related to EV fleet charging. Power boosters are a critical tool that can help fleets electrify without the immediate and full burden of building charging infrastructure. Power boosters optimize the delivery of electrical energy by storing surplus energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during high-demand periods, effectively enhancing grid capacity and enabling ultra-fast charging.
ZOOZ is at the forefront of power booster technology. The ZOOZTER-100TM kinetic power booster, has been designed to enable ultra-fast charging for electric vehicles in locations with limited power by drawingenergy from low-power grids, storing it, and then providing bursts of energy.
The benefits of using this kind of booster eliminate some of the key obstacles to fleet electrification, including:
Faster and Cost-effective Fleet Electrification
Accelerating Ultra-Fast Charging Rollout
ZOOZTER-100TM‘s power booster systems offer a simple and adaptable solution for expediting ultra-fast charging infrastructure – the key to fleet profitability. Regardless of the charger type or grid connection, ZOOZTER-100TM‘s technology empowers fleets to scale up their EV charging networks swiftly and efficiently.
Deferring Investments for Grid Upgrades
One standout benefit of ZOOZTER-100TM‘s power boosters is their ability to defer the need for immediate and costly grid upgrades. By supplementing existing grid power, the burden of upfront investments in grid infrastructure is removed making EV fleet charging expansion a more financially feasible endeavor.
Maximize Fleet Efficiency at Minimal Costs
Keeping Vehicles on the Road
ZOOZTER-100TM power boosters allow for rapid charging and the ability to charge more vehicles per day. This means that fleet vehicles spend less time waiting for charging, leading to increased overall utilization of the fleet. Vehicles spend more time on the road and in service, leading to more revenue.
Reducing Operational Costs
Investing in ZOOZTER-100TM power boosters results in long-term cost savings. With a single investment designed to endure over 15 years and support more than 200,000 charging cycles, these systems significantly lower the total cost of ownership (TCO), making them an economically attractive choice.
Safer and Greener Technology
Meeting Sustainability Goals
ZOOZ is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The ZOOZTER-100TM aligns with zero carbon goals by promoting responsible energy production and consumption. Notably, they avoid the use of toxic or rare earth materials, contributing to a cleaner and greener energy ecosystem.
Enhancing Safety
Safety is critical when it comes to EV charging infrastructure. ZOOZTER-100TM‘s power boosters have obtained UL and CE certifications, assuring compliance with rigorous safety standards. Moreover, they minimize fire hazards, offering a safer alternative compared to chemical-based energy storage systems.
Interested in learning more about how the ZOOZTER-100TM can help you overcome the challenges of fleet electrification? Contact our team today for more information.
