Summary
- Fleet vehicles are a good fit for Level 2 EV chargers due to their overnight downtime
- ChargePoint aims to motivate fleet managers to switch to EVs with a new commercial-scale Level 2 charger for $699
- RMI found that electric fleets have a lower total cost of ownership compared to conventional vehicles in various scenarios
- Electric fleets achieve savings or parity when the cost of an EV charger is not included
- ChargePoint introduces the CPF50 Level 2 EV charger at $699 to support the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles
Article
Electric fleet vehicles are becoming more popular due to their lower total cost of ownership compared to conventional vehicles. The energy transition think tank RMI found that in most cases, it is cheaper to own and operate light- and medium-duty electric vehicles than gas-powered vehicles. Despite this, fleet managers may still be hesitant to make the switch to electric due to the cost of installing an EV charger. ChargePoint aims to address this concern by introducing a new commercial-scale Level 2 charger for just $699, making the case for electrification even stronger for fleet owners.
The RMI analysis covered five common types of fleets and found that electric fleets came out looking good in terms of total cost of ownership. However, the cost of installing an EV charger remains a factor that can impact the decision to go electric. ChargePoint’s $699 Level 2 EV charger is designed to help reduce this barrier for fleet managers. By bundling their fleet management software with the charger, ChargePoint aims to further lower the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles, making the transition more financially viable for fleet operators.
ChargePoint’s focus on commercial Level 2 EV chargers aligns with RMI’s analysis, which supports the electrification of light-duty fleets. While Level 2 chargers may also be suitable for trucks and large vehicles with bigger battery packs, RMI suggests that fleet managers may need additional support such as tax credits or incentives to make electrification feasible for these vehicles. The cost of EV batteries is expected to decrease in the next few years, which could impact the total cost of ownership calculation for trucks and heavy-duty vehicles.
ChargePoint has also introduced Megawatt EV chargers with bidirectional capability, anticipating the benefits of bidirectional charging for fleet managers in the future. They have partnered with LG Electronics to integrate ChargePoint software with LG hardware, including EV chargers and stationary batteries. This collaboration positions both companies to compete for public projects where information security is a key consideration, further advancing the electrification of fleets in various sectors.
In addition to commercial fleets, ChargePoint has been involved in providing EV chargers for federal agencies and government fleet electrification initiatives. Their cloud software has been pre-authorized to bid on federal contracts, and ChargePoint has partnered with various government entities to supply EV chargers for their fleets. The company’s role in fleet electrification extends to sectors like the Department of Defense, indicating their commitment to promoting electric vehicle adoption in various industries.
Overall, the push towards electrification of fleet vehicles is gaining momentum, with companies like ChargePoint offering innovative solutions to reduce barriers and make the transition to electric more feasible for fleet operators. As the cost of EV technology continues to evolve and government support for electrification grows, the future looks bright for electric fleets.ChargePoint’s efforts to provide affordable charging solutions and integrate advanced technology bode well for the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles in commercial fleets across different sectors.
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