Electrifying a fleet is not a simple 1:1 swap of diesel for electric vehicles, it requires a strategic realignment. Charging times, range and energy consumption directly affect route planning and vehicle utilisation. Companies that deploy their electric fleet without the right adjustments risk higher costs, inefficient processes and dissatisfied drivers.

When EVs are treated like diesels

Many companies mistakenly assume that their electric fleet can be operated in the same way as their diesel vehicles. While this might sound logical, in practice it leads to serious consequences: breakdowns, rising operating costs and declining efficiency.

The belief that electric vehicles are a straightforward 1:1 replacement ignores critical differences in range, charging times and energy demand and puts entire logistics processes at risk.

Typical consequences of a 1:1 approach

An electric fleet without tailored planning can quickly turn into a cost trap:

• Unreliable deliveries: Without integrated charging planning, vehicles remain uncharged, leading to penalties and dissatisfied customers.
• Lower vehicle utilisation: Routes optimised for diesel often do not fit the real-world range of EVs. The result: efficiency losses of up to 30%.
• Frustrated drivers: High energy consumption, unplanned charging stops and range issues reduce job satisfaction and increase staff turnover.

Why this mistake is so common

The root cause lies in the dangerous “continuity illusion”.

Fleet managers typically aim to electrify as simply as possible – replacing diesel with electric one-to-one. But electrification is not just a vehicle swap; it requires new rules for route planning, charging infrastructure and fleet management.

Common reasons include:

• The seamless replacement myth: The assumption that EVs can directly replace diesel models without any changes.
• Unadjusted route planning: Charging times and range limitations are not factored into logistics schedules.
• Isolated thinking: Vehicles, energy and logistics processes are considered separately instead of as part of an integrated system.