As more companies transition to electric vehicle fleets, efficient charging management becomes a critical aspect of daily operations. One of the standout features of Volteum’s Electric Fleet Operations software is its Charging Schedule Optimization capability.

This feature helps fleet managers maximize vehicle availability, minimize downtime, and reduce operational costs by creating intelligent, dynamic charging schedules tailored to each fleet’s specific needs. Additionally, it streamlines the manual process of charging schedule planning and vehicle rotation, making them faster and less time-consuming while ensuring the most efficient charging strategy.

A comprehensive solution for EV fleet management

Volteum’s Electric Fleet Operations software is designed to address the unique challenges of managing EV fleets, offering a solution that simplifies and optimizes day-to-day operations. In our recent product update, we introduced several new features aimed at enhancing fleet efficiency, and today we are diving deeper into one of the most powerful tools we offer — Charging Schedule Optimization. By intelligently managing charging sessions, this feature ensures that your fleet is always ready for the road, with minimal disruptions and maximum efficiency.

Understanding the Charging Schedule Optimization feature

The Charging Schedule Optimization feature is designed to ensure that each vehicle is charged efficiently and ready for its next journey. By matching the uploaded routes to the vehicles at the depots, the system determines the state of charge for each vehicle upon arrival after their shifts. It then calculates the charging needs based on the forecasted arrival state of charge and the requirements of the next driving tasks.

Charging schedules are created using objective-oriented optimization methods tailored to meet specific operational goals:

• Optimized for minimized charging events: Charging schedules are optimized to extend charging sessions, typically overnight, reducing the frequency of charging events and manual intervention. This approach increases vehicle availability and minimizes disruptions.
• Optimized for charging cost: For fleets operating in areas with variable electricity prices, the software schedules charging during periods of lower costs, reducing overall energy expenses.
• Optimized for custom parameters: Depending on the operational setups, such as the number of shifts per day, shift start times, and arrival state of charge, the software generates tailored charging schedules that align with specific fleet requirements.
• Optimized for charger availability: The software efficiently allocates available chargers to vehicles, ensuring that all charging needs are met without requiring additional infrastructure.
• Optimized for energy management: Utilizing available grid power information, the system optimizes power distribution across chargers, balancing energy usage and avoiding peak demand charges.
  • Split power on chargers: The software manages power distribution across chargers with multiple plugs, ensuring efficient use of available charging infrastructure.

In every scenario, the software provides detailed results on how and when each vehicle should be charged, delivering a comprehensive schedule that can be shared with drivers to ensure smooth, efficient operations.

Recapping the key benefits

The Charging Schedule Optimization feature directly supports several key benefits that we highlighted in our product update as well:

• Optimized fleet utilization: By reducing the frequency of charging events and maximizing the use of available chargers, the software increases the time your vehicles spend on the road. This leads to higher productivity and reduced operational downtime.
• Reduced manual intervention and planning time: The automated scheduling process eliminates the need for manual planning and minimizes the risk of human error, freeing up valuable time for fleet managers and streamlining operations.

• Adaptability to complex sites: The intelligent management capabilities of the software allow efficient operation even at sites with limited grid capacity, enabling the support of more EVs without the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades.
• Cost savings through reduced public charging: Prioritizing depot chargers and automating charging schedules minimize the reliance on costly public charging networks, resulting in significant cost savings.
• Scalability without extra infrastructure: The software's ability to optimize charging events helps companies avoid the need for additional depot chargers, making it easier to scale their EV fleets within existing infrastructures.

These benefits demonstrate how the Charging Schedule Optimization feature plays a vital role in helping fleet managers overcome the challenges of EV fleet management, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.

Unlock the full potential of your EV fleet

Charging Schedule Optimization is just one of the many ways Volteum’s Electric Fleet Operations software helps you effectively manage your EV fleet. By leveraging advanced scheduling and energy management capabilities, our comprehensive solution ensures that your EV fleet operates at peak efficiency, with minimized costs and maximized productivity.

Whether you are managing a small fleet or scaling up operations at complex sites, Volteum provides the precision and reliability you need to succeed. Discover how our innovative solutions can revolutionize the way you manage your EV fleet. Contact us via the link below today for a personalized demo or to learn more about how we can help you achieve your sustainability and operational goals.