Battery storage specialist Zenobe has worked with distribution network operators (DNOs) Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution and SP Energy Networks through Scotland’s Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce to produce guidance to help fleet operators switch to electric vehicles.
The guidance published by Zenobe (Leading the charge: electric vehicle batteries and battery performance for fleet operators) addresses batteries in electric vehicles and managing battery performance, while the DNOs’ Guide for Fleet Operators provides an overview of the engagement process with local network operators to enable the installation of charging infrastructure.
“The decision to transition fleets to electric can be daunting with many decisions to be made, ranging from grid supply and on-site storage to charger speeds, vehicle type, route and schedule,” explains Steven Meersman, Co-founder and Director of Zenobe. “These all need to come together, with decisions in one area impacting the other for years to come.
“Supporting over 700 vehicles across more than 23 depots and seven countries has taught us that it is critical to consider everything upfront before you put a shovel in the ground. We hope that with our guide we can remove some of the mystique and make clear the many options that exist to make electrification easier and more cost effective without having to compromise on your operational needs.”
SSEN and SP Energy will host a webinar on 23 March at 1000hrs to discuss the guides, outline charging solutions and technology, key steps to take in electrifying a fleet, and showcase case studies. The event is free to attend. Stakeholders based in the north of Scotland and Central Southern England should sign up here, while those based in Central and Southern Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire, North and Mid-Wales and North Shropshire should sign up here.
The guidance has been welcomed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland, which believes the guides will help stimulate conversations between DNOs and operators.