Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow but at a slower pace than in recent years. Globally, about 15% of vehicles are now plug-ins. For government fleets, acquisition must accelerate significantly to meet emission targets and mandates. Today, just 1% of government fleets are classified as zero-emission, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
With aggressive targets in most states and many communities set to convert at least half of their fleets to EVs by 2030, government entities will need to get aggressive with their planning to meet their goals.
Electric vehicle growth: Key steps to undertake now
Government agencies should prioritize several essential steps now to pave the way for a larger transition to EVs in the coming years.
Start the transition to EVs
As a first step, fleet managers can transition a portion of gas-powered sedans and light-duty trucks to battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models. Start by swapping out aging gas-powered sedans scheduled for replacement with comparable all-electric models from major manufacturers that offer range capabilities adequate for most government light-duty uses.
Invest in charging infrastructure
Installing charging stations paves the way to supporting EV growth. Getting the infrastructure in place now makes the eventual transition smoother, as it can take significant lead time for site selection, permitting, and buildout. The Union of Concerned Scientists projects that we’ll need about 7 million new charging locations by 2035—more than a 500% increase from what we have now.
Working with other private companies and public agencies to streamline processes will be crucial. Make sure you are including local utility companies as soon as possible. Buildouts will likely require costly grid enhancements.
Right-size fleets
Analyze vehicle usage data to identify opportunities to eliminate underutilized vehicles or consolidate trips for better resource utilization. If you can reduce the overall fleet size, you can decrease the environmental impact.
Tracking current usage data also provides a baseline for budgeting and measuring improvements. Include fleet telematics as part of the procurement process to monitor vehicle use, range, and charging habits, along with alerting when preventative maintenance will be beneficial.
Pilot sustainability solutions
Besides telematics, other tech solutions can help improve sustainability while implementing EV growth. For example, adding hybrid vehicles or vans during transition periods can help reduce emissions. Other strategies include integrating:
- Anti-idling technology
- Route optimization software
- Autonomous vehicle scheduling
- Safety monitoring
- Vehicle-to-grid systems
Adding these types of solutions can enable government agencies to target the tech that will produce the best fit and return on investment.
Pursue regular feedback
As part of the process, you will need to stay in touch with fleet drivers and maintenance teams. Drivers can provide first-hand reports on EV growth plans. Typically, as drivers use these vehicles, concerns about range anxiety and power subside. This helps alleviate anxiety about EV transitions for others.
Maintenance teams will likely need new tools and retraining, developing new regimens to keep fleets running efficiently. This includes the EVs themselves and the software, technology, and charging infrastructure that will require maintenance.
Feedback will be essential to developing the right strategy and can uncover additional solutions that can reduce emissions, like route changes or maintenance schedules.
Stay in touch with key stakeholders, especially those that provide funding. The transition to EVs will require a long-term commitment to funding, so there will need to be consistent assurance and reporting on progress. Public disclosure of targets and progress against goals also helps with overall accountability.
Secure funding
Fleet managers and procurement teams must lock in any available incentives or grants to help pay for EV growth. Currently, federal, state, and utility-company incentives can help offset the upfront costs to assist with the transition.
Despite significant commitments, however, a limited supply of incentives is available. As we get closer to mandate transitions, many public and private companies will be tapping into these incentives. At some point, there will not be enough funds for everyone. So, it’s crucial to pursue grants and incentives now and start the transition sooner rather than later.
Government fleets can lead the way to broader EV growth
The pressure on government fleet managers to pursue sustainability will only intensify in the coming years. Although the transition to EVs represents a complex, long-term endeavor, taking deliberate steps now to electrify vehicles, install charging infrastructure, and optimize operations can put agencies ahead of the curve in meeting aggressive regulatory timelines.
Government fleets have a prime opportunity to lead the way, serving as high-profile proving grounds for electrification while catalyzing broader infrastructure expansion for other transportation sectors. Savvy fleet managers who tackle the transition proactively can position their agencies for compliance success and provide a blueprint for local governments and private firms to follow.
Sourcewell can help reduce costs and streamline electrification procurement
Sourcewell provides cooperative agreements that leverage the combined buying power of 50,000 government entities and schools for significant discounts on EVs, telematics, charging infrastructure, tools, and consulting. These ready-to-use contracts are competitively solicited to meet stringent standards.
Switching to EVs can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. See how cooperative purchasing can ease the transition, expedite procurement, and help you save time and money with easy-to-access solutions.
