Operator Archives - FuelDrive

Top Tips for EV Charger Maintenance

by Maryellen Kennedy | Oct 26, 2022 | Operator

Local and state governments have started developing EV infrastructure, but their project progress varies. Local governments have identified more need for EV infrastructure as EV sales rapidly increase yearly. Even though some governments have been steadily deploying EV infrastructure throughout the past decade, the landscape is quickly changing.

As more governments continue planning and deploying EV infrastructure, here are some tips to keep in mind so you can continue maintaining your EV chargers long after deployment:

Communicate
Local and state governments should frequently discuss with their utility team about deploying charging infrastructure. This communication offers utilities the time to educate stakeholders on processes, timeframes, rate options, incentives, pilot programs, and anything else relevant.

Some agencies may be skeptical about investing in EV infrastructure when public infrastructure remains widely unmet. Local and state governments should step aside and let private companies provide the upgrades and charging systems, so the government can use those saved fees to fund road improvements.

Incorporate Fees
For those who opt not to have a private company do the work, there are still ways for government to make up for the costs. Some cities have started collecting an added-on EV charging fee to enable them to sustain their current chargers and afford new equipment as chargers age.

The fees range depending on population and number of chargers and get added to the kilowatt per hour cost. Even though some EV drivers may not approve of the fees, if EV infrastructure is not maintained, they no longer provide a greener community- especially if more chargers get installed in a community.

Select Right Vendor
It is best to choose a vendor with integrative EV solutions so it can handle all management and operations for better performance. Having software to show you data on usage costs, charging status, current condition, and maintenance history is not valuable for just chargers but also staff. Some vendors’ solutions cannot work with each other, so having a solution all under one vendor ensures interoperability.

Understanding Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) for Fleets

by Maryellen Kennedy | Jun 10, 2022 | Operator

Charging infrastructure is the most difficult part of fleet electrification, because of the immense planning, coordination, capital, and expertise that it requires. Increasingly, “Charging as a Service” or CaaS is discussed by fleets as a possible solution. CaaS is a different approach to fueling infrastructure than what most fleets are used to, but its appeal is growing among many fleet leaders.

CaaS is designed to be a worry-free EV charging solution for fleets that combines all the required hardware, software, and service offerings with subscription pricing. The charging vendors own the charging station, and the fleet pays an all-inclusive cost (which is flexible but usually in payments) for their charging needs.

The concept is low risk for fleets that can budget around fixed and simplified costs and flexible in that it can be rapidly scaled up or down for different project sites. The greatest cost-saving benefit is the increase in simplicity and the reduction in staff time needed to plan and maintain infrastructure—essentially removing the burden of ownership and maintenance with turnkey stations, software, support, and professional field maintenance

Charging as a service provides organizations with minimal upfront purchasing costs, but like financed or leased deals the total cost of ownership would be higher except for one concern— staff time. Charging as a service removes the need for many types of planning and operations support. Depending on internal labor costs, CaaS may or may not be a better value than owning stations outright.

Oftentimes, CaaS providers will claim the right to Low-Carbon Fuel Credits in states like California, Washington, Oregon, and elsewhere. Many of these revenues can be passed on to fleets in the form of lower pricing which can create a stark contrast to the cost of self-owned and operated infrastructure. However, fleets can also claim and sell those same credits. Like in the case of charger deployment and maintenance, the question of whether to use CaaS depends mostly on staff availability, capital resources on hand, and internal labor costs.

CaaS is a solution worth researching and discussing internally. The number of resources on the subject that are available to fleets is increasing. Here are key questions fleet leaders should ask when deciding if CaaS is a good fit for their EV fleet program:

Do I have enough capital for charging equipment and electrical upgrades? Would CaaS minimize my upfront costs enough to allow the purchase of additional vehicles or other equipment?
Am I comfortable assuming responsibility for things like charger maintenance and operations after the warranty period?
Does my organization want to handle fuel credit reporting and selling on its own or with a broker?
Does my organization have the capacity to maintain high charger uptime or is it better for the vendor to be responsible?

To learn more about charging-as-a-service with FuelDrive, schedule a custom demo today.

7-Eleven Leading Charge with Installation of 500 EV Ports by End of 2022

by Maryellen Kennedy | Dec 21, 2021 | Distributor, Operator

7-Eleven is leading the charge in convenient store sustainability by committing to a goal of installing 500 Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports throughout the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2022. The retailer currently maintains 22 charging stations within four states. Reaching this ambitious goal will position 7-Eleven as a leader in their segment, with one of the largest and most compatible fast-charging systems of any retailer in the U.S.

Direct Current Fast Charging ports allow for a quicker charge experience than level-2 chargers. This, paired with 7-Eleven’s convenient locations near major roads and highways, will provide great value for drivers looking to charge on the go.

FuelDrive is proud to partner with AssetWorks FuelFocusEV for integrated charging for fleet organizations of all sizes. To learn more about integrated EV charging for fleets, schedule a demo today.

5 Key Features to Look for in a New Fuel Management System

by Maryellen Kennedy | Dec 3, 2021 | Distributor, Operator

Whether you are managing your fuel through a software system or a clipboard, it is necessary for fleets to regularly reevaluate their fuel management operations. Chances are, there are a few key areas for optimization as technology matures and evolves.

When looking into a new system, a fleet should keep an eye out for these top features:

Scalable System

The fleet business is ever-changing, which leads to fluctuations in vehicle count, type, and utilization. For a fuel system to work for a modern fleet organization, it needs to be scalable and adaptable to any fleet size and provide for unlimited users and vehicles.

The software should also be easy to access, with an intuitive and user-friendly design on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Security in the Cloud

For any fleet, security should be the highest priority. It’s more common to see news headlines covering data breaches or even hardware hacks. Hosting fuel data in the cloud provides one of the highest levels of security for hosted data, including important features like:

Unique user ID server access
Encoded usernames and passwords
User blockage after several failed login attempts
Communication cutoff mechanism after session timeout

Customizable Control

With powerful fuel management systems, there are several different options available for customizing and securing your fueling through Island Control Units (ICUs) and methods for beginning a transaction, like proximity card/fob, strip cards, keypad, or wireless automated fueling (WAF).

WAF has many benefits for fleets. With WAF, fleets install the hardware into either light or heavy-duty vehicles. It eliminated the ‘human error’ factor and provides accurate data coming from the vehicle’s ECM during the transaction. Data like odometer, engine hours, and trouble codes can be captured automatically with WAF, unlike manual fueling transactions.

Easy Upgrades

With a cloud-based solution, the system is remotely set-up and supported by the vendor. This means that the system can be automatically upgraded to the latest and greatest version, supporting new hardware and software features as they become available. This also means that automatic data backups ensure your fueling data is retrievable in the event of a system failure.

Innovative and Knowledgeable Team

Even the most feature-rich fuel management system is rendered ineffectual without an innovative and knowledgeable vendor. The fuel management software vendor should be consistently innovating their solution to provide the best possible solution to the customers, which could include new products or offerings, frequent training opportunities, and a willingness and openness to listen to customer ideas and challenges.

FuelDrive, powered by AssetWorks, offers these five features and more. With FuelDrive’s cloud-hosted solution, the remote setup is professionally managed and secured within the Microsoft Azure cloud. FuelDrive is scalable and adaptable to any size fleet and provides for unlimited users and vehicles within the system.

For more information, schedule a custom software demonstration with the FuelDrive team today.

FuelDrive vs the Other Guys: Fuel Management Software

by Jordan Schwed | Aug 9, 2021 | Distributor, Operator

To see additional blogs, videos and materials related to FuelDrive, check out this page.

Want to schedule a free, custom demo of FuelDrive? Simply fill out the form below:

The Fleet Fuel Management Technology to Look for at PEI 2021 – FuelDrive

by Jordan Schwed | Jul 13, 2021 | Distributor, Operator

If you have ever attended the PEI (Petroleum Equipment Institute) trade show, you’ve likely seen a handful of the ‘latest and greatest’ fuel management systems. While new technology is exciting, the best fuel management systems for fleet organizations are often the tried-and-true systems that have evolved over time and have a demonstrated track record of success.

The FuelDrive fuel management system is backed by AssetWorks’ 40+ years of fleet and fuel management experience. The software is used by government agencies and private fleets across North America and the United Kingdom. FuelDrive offers robust technology that offers multiple platforms that can grow and evolve with a fleet as needed over time, providing the following benefits:

RFID vehicle hardware technology
Fully integrated EV charging technology
Passive GPS and driver behavior
Backwards capability with vehicle hardware
Real time data for up to the minute reporting
Accurate data for improving preventive maintenance programs
Ring technology that provides 100% fuel security and accountability
Environmentally safe fueling that ensures fuel shuts when the nozzle is removed from the vehicle or falls out by accident.
Our system also offers secured access to support car washes, security gates, doors and other areas that authorization for entry is required.

With FuelDrive’s feature rich fuel management system, fleet organizations can increase efficiency and reduce costs through data that helps fleets be proactive on vehicle maintenance and alerts with vehicle trouble codes. FuelDrive can also help fleets decrease loss and misallocation while guaranteeing fuel security.

FuelDrive’s integrated EV charging platform, FuelFocusEV, will also save fleets time, money, and resources by having all the information in one reporting system. FuelDrive also offers fully integrated tank monitoring that allows for accurate and timely reconciliation and accountability for all fuels and EV charging being used at each fueling location.

FuelDrive is a cloud hosted SasS (Software as a Service) model software which allows for access from any location and can be managed with a tablet, laptop or any internet connected personal computer. The system is hosted on the Microsoft Assure platform which offers the highest data security and uptime available. Fleets can rest assured knowing they will always be on the latest software version as updates to our software are included as part of the SasS offering. Another FuelDrive benefit includes a lifetime parts warranty for the ICU (Island Control Unit) for the life of the system.

The FuelDrive team has in-house support with quality trained professionals to answer customer questions and keep the system online and supported. And, with its powerful distributor network, FuelDrive can help provide on-site installation and service for locations across the country.

We are looking forward to catching up with you at booth #3346 at the 2021 PEI Convention at the NACS Show in Chicago, Illinois October 5th and 6th. Check out the schedule of events, and make sure to register.