Top fleet charging challenges and solutions

As businesses transition to electric vehicle fleets, they’re discovering it’s not just about replacing vehicles – it’s about adapting their approach to fleet management.  

EVs bring clear benefits—from lower emissions to cost savings—but to maximise their impact, businesses need expert guidance on EV charging. The right strategy ensures their investment is as efficient and effective as possible for their specific business needs.

In this article, we’ll look at the biggest charging hurdles fleet managers face and share practical ways to overcome them. 

Reducing upfront costs with Government grants 

One of the biggest barriers to EV fleet adoption may be the upfront investment required for charging infrastructure. However, government grants are available to help offset these costs, making it easier for businesses to install EV chargers at their sites. The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is one such initiative, providing businesses with funding to reduce the expense of installing EV charge points.  At the time of writing, this grant offers up to £350 per socket for up to 40 sockets, which really helps cut down on the setup costs for workplaces that want to go electric. 

These grants won’t always be available, so it’s crucial for businesses to take advantage of them while they last. By taking advantage of the funding that’s available right now, your organisation can prepare for the future and make sure you’re ready when it’s time to transition to electric. 

Managing home charging reimbursement

If your team takes vehicles home, sorting out who pays for charging can be a real headache. The old-school expense systems just weren’t designed with EV charging in mind, which means your employees end up submitting paperwork by hand and filing multiple claims, creating extra work for everyone – both your drivers and your finance team. 

The good news? Smart tools like Go Zero’s proprietary software do all the heavy lifting. By reconciling energy usage directly with employees’ energy providers, businesses can eliminate manual claims, reduce the admin burden, and ensure employees are not left out of pocket for work-related charging costs. 

Cutting costs with smart charging strategies

Perhaps one of the most overlooked opportunities in EV fleet management is the potential for significant cost savings through dual rate or dynamic energy tariffs. Many organisations and their employees default to charging vehicles as soon as they arrive at their destination—typically during peak electricity hours—leading to unnecessarily high energy costs. 

However, innovative EV charging providers now offer game-changing charge point management solutions. These smart systems automatically schedule charging during cheaper off-peak hours and integrate with various energy tariffs to keep costs down. They ensure your vehicles are fully charged exactly when needed while minimising your electricity bills. Plus, they give drivers real-time feedback about the best times to plug in, making it easy for everyone to make cost-effective charging decisions.

By implementing the right technology and taking advantage of available grants, businesses can optimise their EV charging strategy and maximise cost savings. 

Looking ahead  

The future of fleet management is electric, and the solutions are already here. The key to a smooth transition is choosing an EV charging provider that truly understands your business’s unique needs and challenges. 

By making use of Government grants, adopting smart charging systems and automated reimbursement processes, businesses can streamline EV fleet operations and enjoy the associated economic and sustainability benefits. 

With the right technology and support, fleet electrification can be efficient, cost-effective, fit for the present and scalable for the future.