Volteum Feature Highlight: Energy Consumption and Range Forecasting for Electric Fleet Operations

Sep 23, 2024 · 5 min read · update

As electric vehicles become a more integral part of fleet management, ensuring that these vehicles are optimized for every journey is crucial. One of the standout features of Volteum’s Electric Fleet Operations software is its Energy Consumption and Range Forecasting capability. This feature empowers fleet managers with precise data, helping them to make informed decisions that keep their EVs on the road longer and operating more efficiently.

A comprehensive solution for EV fleet management

Volteum’s Electric Fleet Operations software is designed to meet the unique demands of managing electric vehicle fleets, offering a comprehensive solution that simplifies and optimizes daily 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 — Energy Consumption and Range Forecasting.

Understanding the Energy Consumption and Range Forecasting feature

The Energy Consumption and Range Forecasting feature is designed to provide fleet managers with the highest level of accuracy in predicting energy needs. This feature simulates the energy consumption of electric vehicles by taking into account a variety of critical parameters:

  • Weather conditions: With live weather data integration, Volteum can forecast weather conditions up to one week in advance. This enables more accurate range predictions and route planning, ensuring vehicles are prepared for any environmental changes.
  • Traffic: By integrating live and predicted traffic data, including route details and speed variations, the system provides more accurate energy consumption estimates and estimated time of arrivals (ETAs). While accurate ETAs are valuable for all types of vehicles, they are particularly important for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) when coordinating charging schedules between shifts, ensuring vehicles have enough time to recharge before their next deployment.
  • Route topography: Elevation changes along the route are considered to calculate energy consumption more accurately. The system accounts for increased battery usage during uphill travel and factors in regeneration for downhill segments.
  • Vehicle parameters:
    • Live: The software utilizes the live state of charge from OEM connectivity or telematics provider data to provide real-time insights into vehicle energy levels.
    • Static: Our comprehensive database includes over 150 data points for all available vehicle models (passenger, light commercial, and heavy-duty vehicles) on the market. These parameters include usable battery capacity, drag coefficient, vehicle weight and more.
  • Payload: If provided, the software considers payload information, including the weight and nature of the cargo being transported, to refine energy consumption predictions.
  • Driver behaviour: When available, Volteum also incorporates driver behaviour patterns, such as which driver operates which vehicle, to further enhance forecast accuracy.

With continuous calibration through integrations with leading telematics companies, the Volteum Energy Consumption and Range Forecasting engine remains at the forefront of prediction accuracy. This enables fleet managers to make data-driven decisions on when and how much their vehicles need to be charged, ensuring optimal fleet performance at all times.

Recapping the key benefits

The Energy Consumption and Range Forecasting feature provides several key benefits that are essential for efficient and reliable EV fleet management:

  • Eliminate range anxiety: Our advanced range prediction engine provides the most accurate forecasts in the industry, allowing drivers and fleet managers to focus on their tasks without worrying about the state of charge.
  • Predictable operations: With precise energy consumption forecasting, fleet managers can plan routes and charging needs with confidence, even under challenging conditions like weather or traffic. This makes day-to-day operations more secure and predictable.
  • Reduce public charging events: Accurate energy forecasts minimize the need for using public charging networks, saving time and costs while keeping vehicles on the road longer.

These benefits demonstrate the practical value of this feature, making it an essential tool for any fleet manager looking to optimize their EV operations.

Ready to transform your EV fleet operations?

The Energy Consumption and Range Forecasting feature is just one of the many ways Volteum’s Electric Fleet Operations software helps you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of electric transportation.

Discover how our comprehensive solution can revolutionize the way you manage your EV fleet. Contact us today for a personalized demo or to learn more about how we can help you achieve your sustainability and operational goals via the link below.

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