One consider longer downtimes for electric pickups is the shortage of trained technicians who’re still constructing EV proficiency.
Source: Utilimarc’s EV Consortium, BBM
The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is bringing significant changes to fleet maintenance patterns. Traditional diesel and gas-powered vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) have long-established maintenance schedules for each demand (or corrective) maintenance (DM) and preventive maintenance (PM).
With EVs, nonetheless, the playbook is evolving.
In keeping with data and evaluation from Utilimarc’s Electric Vehicle Consortium, electric pickups are logging fewer DMs than their ICE counterparts for model years 2022 through 2024 on an annual basis.
Two aspects play a component: First, EVs have fewer mechanical parts, and within the case of electrical pickups, EV Consortium data shows that they’re traveling fewer miles than their ICE counterparts, reducing the likelihood of a requirement maintenance event.
Preventive maintenance, nonetheless, is less in regards to the technology and more in regards to the mindset of the organization, in line with Utilimarc. Basically, across the EV Consortium member fleets, days between maintenance visits were 21 days longer in 2024 for EVs as in comparison with their ICE counterparts.
Fleets with proactive service philosophies are keeping close tabs on their EVs, no matter actual preventive maintenance needs. A fleet leader from Nashville Electric Service noted, “Our service manager pulls within the Lightnings once a month just to envision them over.”
Alternatively, some members are adjusting schedules based on real-world usage and maintenance data.
In terms of downtime, EVs present a mixed bag for fleet operators. EV Consortium data shows that, on average, EV pickups experience about six hours more downtime inside a month than ICE pickups, whereas EV and ICE small cars experience in regards to the same amount of downtime every month. While EVs have fewer moving parts and will, in theory, be quicker to repair.
Why the disparity? Consortium data reveals that the perpetrator isn’t mechanical failure; it’s logistics.
Some key challenges include:
- Internal vs. Outsourced Maintenance: Fleets that outsource EV repairs often experience longer wait times attributable to an absence of control and shuttling vehicles backwards and forwards. Internal technicians, meanwhile, are still constructing EV proficiency, which contributes to slow turnaround when maintenance is performed within the fleet’s own garages.
- Learning Curve: As fleets proceed to impress, one theme is becoming clear: technician training isn’t only a nice-to-have, it’s critical and requires recent tools, diagnostic processes, and training. Consortium member organizations have found that with in-sourced EV maintenance, a phased approach to training is effective, progressing from safety orientation to more advanced skills resembling diagnostics and high-voltage servicing. This structure allows technicians to construct competencies step by step and increase confidence. Nonetheless, coordinating across multiple technician shifts, managing shop downtime, and securing budget for repeat training events all require logistical planning.
EV vs. ICE Maintenance Costs
When evaluating maintenance costs, the story gets much more complex. Cost comparisons of EVs to ICE vehicles often require careful context, especially in relation to vehicle age and usage patterns.
Key Data Points:
- The center 50% of EV full-size pickups drive between 676 and a pair of,283 miles annually, whereas ICE pickups drive between 3,205 and 14,612 miles annually. Lower annual mileage on EVs can skew cost-per-mile calculations, making EVs look costlier just because the price is spread over fewer miles.
- In some cases, fleets could also be over-maintaining EVs, scheduling unnecessary service visits out of an abundance of caution with unfamiliar technology.
The Takeaways for Fleet Managers
As technicians gain experience and competence working on electric vehicles, fleet managers will profit from decreased downtime, stabilized maintenance intervals, and value normalization.
Investing in internal EV training and thoroughly revisiting PM schedules may help mitigate a few of today’s biggest challenges.
Concerning the Electric Vehicle Consortium
The Electric Vehicle Consortium brings together fleet professionals, data analysts, and sustainability administrators to collaborate on solving the unique challenges of fleet electrification. Our members profit from real-world data insights, collaborative research, and a robust peer network.
Fleets or vendors fascinated about joining or sponsoring can contact evconsortium.org to learn more.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotive-fleet.com
