What are the major obstacles to the electrification of fleets in the construction, public works and logistics sectors today?
Autonomy perceived as an operational risk
Range remains one of the main obstacles to the electrification of LCV fleets.
In the building and civil engineering sector frequent return trips between the depot and worksitesoften with heavy loads, place heavy demands on the battery.
In logistics, the non-stop tours right down to the last kilometre require vehicles capable of operating without unscheduled recharging.
By 2025, however, there will be clear progress in this area, with manufacturers offering electric vans with record rangeswhich rival their combustion-powered counterparts. These vehicles are ideally suited to the operational requirements of intensive activities requiring frequent travel.
Here are a few examples:
| Models | Autonomy | Maximum recharge power | Recharge time (0 to 80 %) | Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Id.Buzz Cargo | 425 km | 170 kW | 17 minutes | 20.6 kWh/100 km |
| Fiat E-ducato 79 | 360 km | 100 kW | 28 minutes | 31.8 kWh/100 km |
| Toyota Proace 75 | 330 km | 100 kW | 27 minutes | 20.6 kWh/100 km |
| Opel Vivaro E-75 | 330 km | 100 kW | 27 minutes | 20.6 kWh/100 km |
| Source : Beev | ||||
Recharging difficulties on building sites and temporary sites
Access to off-depot recharging is a second major obstacle.
The fast charging stations to recover 80 % of autonomy in 30 to 40 minutesThis optimises vehicle rotation.
However, many sites remain difficult to access or are insufficiently equipped:
- Temporary worksites with no electrical infrastructure
- Stops between deliveries far from public charging points
- Rural or industrial areas with little charging network coverage
These situations generate a real risk ofbusiness interruptionThis is a major concern for fleet operators.
To overcome these obstacles, professionals can rely on a solution that complements fixed infrastructures: the connected charging cables.
What are the benefits of connected charging cables for your teams?
At a time when electric vehicles are taking on a central role in the construction and logistics fleets, connected cable becomes a strategic ally. Compact, robust and intelligent, it combines ease of use and advanced controlIt's the perfect way to give teams in the field the freedom to recharge almost anywhere, always in complete safety.
Much more than a standard cable
As well as recharging, connected cables incorporate communication and control technologies that transmit information via applications or management portals.
As a result, fleet managers can monitor each recharging session remotely, while drivers can benefit from a more efficient, more effective way of charging their vehicle. a fluid, fast and secure experience.
Concrete benefits for performance
Connected cables transmit key information in real time:
- Remote control Start, stop or programme recharging remotely from an application.
- Precise energy monitoring : view kWh consumed and optimise costs.
- Smart charging automatic adjustment of the power delivered and the possibility of programming charging during advantageous tariff periods.
- Enhanced security detection of anomalies (overheating, short-circuit, overvoltage) and immediate shutdown in the event of a problem.
- Multi-socket compatibility : can be connected to a standard 220 V socket, a reinforced socket or an existing electric car recharging point, depending on the context.
Safety and simplicity for teams
Connected cables offer same reliability as a fixed bollardbut with the flexibility of mobile equipment. In terms of safety, they feature advanced electrical protection: integrated circuit breakers, earth fault detection and overvoltage protection.
It takes just a few seconds to plug in, with no complicated installation required: just connect to the available socket and start recharging with complete peace of mind.
How do you use them in practice?
Back-up charging at isolated sites or when roaming
For worksites in rural areas, temporary warehouses or extended delivery rounds, the connected cable becomes an agile and simple solution for guaranteeing business continuity.
It connects to any standard or reinforced socket and gives teams the chance to quickly recover the energy they need to complete a day's work or secure a return journey.
This flexibility means that drivers don't have to systematically plan stops at public pay stations, which are often far away or already occupied. reduces wasted logistical time.
Optimising multi-site routes
Companies operating on several sites or depots need to manage a constant rotation of their electric vans. Unlike fixed charging points, connected cables are easy to transport and can be installed instantly, without any work or administrative procedures. They adapt to organisational changes and enable recharging operations to be relocated according to priorities in the field. This mobility is a major advantage for fleet managers, who can rapidly deploy recharging solutions in the right place at the right time, even if the business is transferred or a new site is opened.
Reduced downtime
By avoiding unnecessary journeys to remote charging points and enabling partial recharges to be carried out directly on site, connected charging cables considerably reduce periods of vehicle inactivity.
Drivers keep their vehicles operational for longer, which increases fleet utilisation and optimises daily productivity.
Fleet managers can also monitor load status in real time and anticipate requirements, limiting unplanned interruptions.
Concrete examples of use
Are you an SME in the building and civil engineering sector? You can recharge your electric vans directly on your temporary worksites thanks to connected cables plugged into reinforced sockets, without having to rely on public charging points.
Do you manage a fleet of logistics vans? Plug your vehicles into the sockets available at your customers' premises from time to time to recover the autonomy you need and drive your routes to the last kilometre without any detours.
Do you manage a multi-site industrial company? Deploy connected cables in your various warehouses without modifying your existing electrical infrastructure, reduce your installation costs and facilitate the transition to an efficient electrical fleet.
What are the financial and environmental benefits?
Independence from public terminals
One of the major advantages of connected charging cables is their ability to free businesses from dependence on public charging points.Your teams can recharge their vehicles directly on site, without having to worry about the availability of external charging points or the variable cost of recharging.This operational autonomy guarantees greater flexibility and fewer business interruptions.
Facilitating the electrification of commercial vehicle fleets
Connected cables make it easier for commercial vehicle fleets to switch to electric vehicles.
Thanks to their mobile applications and intuitive interfaces, managers can monitor the status of charges in real time, receive alerts in the event of an incident and start or stop recharging remotely.This transparency strengthens confidence in the transition and accelerates the deployment of zero-emission vehiclesincluding in temporary environments wherecharging stationsare not yet installed.
Lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
The integration of connected cables means intelligent energy management :
- Automatic power adjustment delivered according to the needs of the vehicle and the state of the electricity network,
- Programming of recharges to the most advantageous time slotswhen the cost per kWh is lower,
- Preventing overloads and optimising consumptionThis reduces the overall energy bill.
These functions contribute directly to lower the TCO of your business fleetby limiting not only electricity costs but also the costs associated with heavy fixed infrastructures.
Reduction incarbon footprint and compliance with EPZs
By facilitating the deployment of electric vehicles, connected cables contribute to the decarbonising your fleets. They enable greater use to be made of electricity from local networks, which is often greener, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
So you can be part of the drive to reduce your footprint carbonwhile complying with regulatory obligations relating to Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and your CSR objectives.
A guide to installing recharging points on logistics sites
How do you choose the best connected cable for your fleet?
For your fleet to take full advantage of the flexibility and performance offered by connected cables, it's essential to select the equipment that's best suited to your vehicles and your day-to-day uses.
The different types of cables connected
- Type 1 charging cable It is suitable for single-phase vehicles and can be recharged at up to 7.4 kW.
- Type 2 charging cable European standard, compatible with most commercial vehicles in Europe. single or three-phaseit can reach 22 kW in AC and is still the most common choice for construction, industrial and logistics fleets.
- Charging cable CCS Combo ideal if you plan to use both the AC and DC chargingIt combines the versatility of Type 2 with the power of direct current for faster recharging.
Our advice: Always start by checking the type of connector on your vehicles: this is the first thing you should do to avoid any incompatibilities.
Essential criteria for choosing your connected cable
To take full advantage of connected cables and ensure reliable charging for your fleet, several key factors deserve your attention :
- Compatibility Check that the cable matches the type of connector on each of your electric vehicles to avoid any incompatibility.
- Recharging power Choose a cable capable of supporting the maximum power of your vehicle and your charging point, to ensure fast, efficient recharging.
- Cable length It must be long enough to comfortably reach the recharging point or available socket, without being too long to limit energy losses. Common lengths generally vary from 5 to 10 metres as required.
Safety standards The best choice is certified cables that comply with international standards and incorporate protection against overloads, short circuits or earth faults.
How can you integrate this solution into your electric mobility strategy?
For integration to be effective, start with a audit of your fleet's needsidentify vehicles and sites requiring mobile charging solutions, and then choose the right equipment. The final stage involves train your teams the use of connected cables to maximise their effectiveness in the field.
To remember: the connected cable is a backup solution. It does not replace the recharging stations installed on your sites, but rather complements the existing infrastructure providing flexibility and mobility.
Connection with supervision tools and planning software
To get the most out of your connected cables, integrate them into your centralised management system. Each recharging session is accurately recorded : date, duration, energy consumedThis information is transferred directly to the supervision platform.
This traceability enables :
- Automatic reimbursement of expenses according to internal rules, without manual expense claims or approximations,
- Precise monitoring of energy consumption to optimise costs and refuelling planning.
By combining mobility, safety and energy intelligence, connected charging cables are an effective complement to fixed charging points, enabling you to recharge your commercial vehicles anywhere, without interrupting your operations.
For your teams, it means less time wasted and more autonomy!
For your fleet, it's a Lower TCO and a simplified access to the electricity transition.
And for the environment, it's a concrete step towards decarbonising your modes of transport.
Need personalised advice? Beev can help to audit your needs and integrate the right solutions into your electric mobility strategy!
