Van Fleet Electrification - Last Mile Delivery
Van Fleet Electricification
Welcome to “Zero Emissions Chat by the Cooler”, where we share practical insights into the future of van fleet electrification. Brenda Shanahan, ZeroMission’s Director of Sales for Europe, and Cian Kavanagh ZeroMission’s Inside Sales Representative, explore the common challenges faced by fleet managers transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), and how Zero Emissions' digital twin platform is helping them succeed.
Why Some Fleets Succeed — And Others Struggle
The fleet managers that have successfully made the shift to electric have one thing in common: they’ve done their homework.
“They’ve conducted real-world route analysis,” Brenda explains. “They’ve studied their routes, loads, drop-offs and pick-ups. Then they’ve taken both best-case and worst-case scenarios and run them through our digital twin. The outcome is a reliable average that reflects real operations — with a safety margin built in.”
This level of precision allows operators to match EV capabilities with route requirements and make informed decisions about vehicle selection and deployment.
Don’t Overbuy — Buy Smart
A common misstep? Buying electric vans with far more range than necessary.
“It might seem safer to go big on battery,” says Cian, “but longer range often means a much higher upfront cost. That delays your cost parity with diesel or petrol vehicles.”
Worse still, heavier batteries reduce efficiency. Over-specifying for range leads to wasted resources and missed opportunities for optimisation. “You want to buy for just-in-time operations — not just in case,” Brenda adds. “That way, you’re sweating the asset rather than carrying unnecessary cost.”
Tackling Driver Range Anxiety with Data
Drivers often push for longer-range vans due to range anxiety — an understandable concern. But data can ease these worries.
Fleet managers using Zero Emissions’ system can generate weekly reports showing actual range usage. If drivers consistently return with 30% battery, this reassures them — and helps justify more cost-effective, lower-range vehicles in future procurement.
Metrics That Matter
Our platform provides a cradle-to-grave view of energy usage — not just how much the charger can deliver, but how much energy is actually transferred to the vehicle, how it’s used on the road, and how much is left upon return.
By measuring and managing every stage of the energy flow, fleet managers gain an end-to-end understanding of efficiency and performance — crucial when planning routes, budgets, and hardware investment.
Data-Driven Confidence for the Future
“One of our clients once said: ‘Fortune favours the brave,’” Brenda shares. “But bravery in this case is backed by data. The organisations embracing our platform are not only surviving the transition — they’re setting themselves up for long-term success.”
With electric-only regulations on the horizon, these early adopters will have a significant competitive advantage. They’ll know which vans work best, where to charge, how to cost jobs accurately — and they’ll no longer need to rely on guesswork.
From Planning to Operation — and Beyond
Zero Emissions’ digital twin isn’t just for planning. It supports real-time operations through anomaly alerts, flagging issues before drivers run into trouble. Retrospective reporting enables strategic decision-making — helping you get the next phase of investment right.
As Cian puts it, “Our technology lets you plan, operate and report with confidence — whether you’re deploying your first five EVs or scaling to fifty.”
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Don’t miss our bonus episode every Sunday morning, where Brenda Shanahan shares weekly insights on the evolving EV landscape.
Whether you're electrifying your fleet now or preparing for a ZEV future, Zero Emissions is here to help you lead the charge.