Your Essential EV Transition Checklist with ZeroMission

The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is no longer a distant ambition; it’s a pressing reality for fleets across every sector. With rising fuel costs, tightening emissions regulations, and ambitious net-zero targets, fleet managers are under growing pressure to make the transition.

But where do you start?
At ZeroMission, we’ve supported fleets of all sizes on their journey to electrification. To help you get moving in the right direction, we’ve created this EV Transition Checklist, a practical step-by-step guide to prepare your organisation for the road ahead.

Step 1: Assess & Plan

Before you order a single vehicle, review the fundamentals.

How many vehicles do you operate, and what are their duty cycles?
Which routes or vehicles are most suited to early electrification (short, predictable, back-to-base)?
How does the total cost of ownership (TCO) compare to your current diesel, HVO, or hybrid fleet?
Which grants or subsidies could you unlock to make the business case stronger?

Early planning ensures your transition aligns with both operational needs and financial goals.

Step 2: Charging & Energy Strategy

Vehicles are only half the story; charging is the other.

Audit your depot locations and grid capacity.
Plan a mix of depot, workplace, and public charging.
Model energy demand and avoid costly peak loads.
Explore renewable energy integration, like solar panels and on-site battery storage.
Consider smart charging platforms to optimise cost and uptime.

A well-designed charging strategy can be the difference between smooth operations and costly downtime.

Step 3: Vehicles & Technology

Choosing the right vehicles is about more than range.

Match EV models to your operational requirements (range, payload, duty cycle).
Compare lease vs. purchase for flexibility.
Review warranties, maintenance support, and parts availability.
Ensure your fleet management platform can integrate EV data with existing systems.

Think long-term: the vehicles you choose today must still deliver value tomorrow.

Step 4: Operations & Maintenance

Electrification means re-thinking maintenance practices.

Build predictive servicing schedules to minimise downtime.
Train drivers and technicians on EV operations.
Put roadside assistance and contingency plans in place.

Smooth operations come from proactive preparation.

Step 5: Data & Reporting

Fleet intelligence drives smarter decisions.

Set clear KPIs (emissions reduction, TCO, uptime).
Monitor vehicles, chargers, and energy use in real time.
Use digital twins to model future fleet growth and scenarios.
Track compliance with emissions reporting and low-emission zone requirements.

Data doesn’t just measure progress, it helps future-proof your fleet.

Step 6: People & Change Management

No transition succeeds without people on board.

Train and engage drivers to build confidence in EVs.
Communicate sustainability goals clearly across the organisation.
Roll out in phases: start with pilots, learn, then scale.

Your people are the drivers of change, literally.

Partnering for Success

Transitioning to EVs can feel daunting, but with the right roadmap it becomes achievable. Whether you’re just starting your EV journey or scaling an existing fleet, ZeroMission’s expert team can help you identify inefficiencies, secure grants, and build a roadmap to net-zero.

talk with one of zeromission's experts today