Interrogatives pertaining to electric vehicles (EVs) posed by Paola Felcaro, alongside suggestions from Schneider Electric, totaling 5 inquiries and 8 recommendations.
Schneider Electric Pushes Forward with Comprehensive EV Fleet Electrification Strategy
Schneider Electric, a global leader in the energy management and automation industry, is driving the transition towards electric vehicle (EV) fleet adoption with a multi-faceted approach that emphasizes advanced charging solutions, local workforce development, smart infrastructure integration, and sustainability-focused planning.
The company's strategies for fleet electrification and EV adoption focus on deploying tailored EV charging solutions, such as the EVlink Pro DC 60 kW fast charger for commercial, industrial, and public fleet use, and the Schneider Charge Pro Level 2 AC charger for residential and corporate fleet-at-home applications. These chargers are designed for energy efficiency, durability, and rapid installation, integrating smart energy management features to optimize usage.
Schneider Electric is also empowering local expertise by training and certifying over 30 local professionals in Saudi Arabia, reflecting a strategy of local workforce development to support and sustain EV adoption and infrastructure management.
The company is integrating smart and scalable infrastructure through a system-wide approach that combines high-power charging hardware, energy management systems (EMS), smart sensors, energy storage, and data analytics. This integration aims to ensure reliability, optimize energy flows, reduce operational downtime, support future fleet growth, and incorporate renewable energy to minimize environmental impact.
Planning fleet charging according to specific operational needs is another crucial aspect of Schneider Electric's approach. The company emphasizes the assessment of fleet size, daily vehicle mileage, and usage patterns to choose appropriate charging speeds (fast DC chargers for high-mileage vehicles, AC chargers for low-mileage). Full charging before duty cycles and expandable networks help maximize efficiency and cost savings.
Sustainability and skill development are at the heart of Schneider Electric's vision. The company is committed to its global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, including its Youth Education & Entrepreneurship Programme that trains over a million people in energy management, enabling communities to participate in the energy transition.
Schneider Electric is investing in both vehicles and EV charging installations, supported by taxation and incentives. The company has committed to a 100% electrified fleet by 2030 and has already achieved a 23% EV fleet globally, with Europe having more than 35%. Other regions, such as North America and the rest of the world, have a lower electrified fleet count, with North America at 1.2% and the rest of the world at 0.9%.
However, the road to full EV fleet electrification is not without challenges. Administrative complexity arises when leased fleets are involved, and tax incentives are for the vehicle owner, not the leasing company. Conducting a detailed fleet and driver profile assessment is important for effective EV fleet implementation. In some countries, double taxation of EV charging costs for business travel is a significant obstacle.
Schneider Electric acknowledges these challenges and is addressing them by building strong partnerships with leasers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to ensure vehicle availability during the EV fleet transition. A transversal commitment from various departments, including Finance, HR, Real Estate, Sustainability, Strategy, is needed to support the EV fleet transition. A governance framework is essential for the successful implementation of an EV fleet.
Sponsorship from top-level management, including the CEO and SVPs, is crucial for the success of the EV fleet transition. Local regulation has a direct impact on the speed of the EV implementation roll-out, as each country is responsible for its own P&L.
In conclusion, Schneider Electric's approach to EV fleet electrification is comprehensive, localized, and technologically integrated. The company's strategy not only addresses technical and operational challenges but also supports the broader energy transition and environmental goals. Schneider Electric has set a target of 33% EV fleet by 2025 and 100% by 2030.
- Schneider Electric's comprehensive EV fleet electrification strategy extends to investing in both vehicles and EV charging installations, aligning with their global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, such as the Youth Education & Entrepreneurship Programme that trains over a million people in environmental-science.
- To ensure the success of its EV fleet transition, Schneider Electric is partnering with leasers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and various departments, including Finance, HR, Real Estate, Sustainability, Strategy,, demonstrating a transversal commitment towards this important environmental-business initiative.
- In the realm of technology, Schneider Electric integrates smart infrastructure, combining high-power charging hardware, energy management systems (EMS), smart sensors, energy storage, and data analytics, to optimize energy flows, reduce operational downtime, support future fleet growth, and minimize environmental impact.