Monday to Friday
9am - 12.30pm - 2pm - 7pm
Technology as a solution to protect your employees?
While there have been significant changes in mobility in recent years, many companies have decided to trade in their mobile equipment for a new way of working. vehicle fleet by an all-electric fleet.
Enhanced safety thanks to innovative technologies
Government benefits such as the €3,000 environmental bonus for the purchase of vehicles costing less than €47,000 or the €5,000 for the conversion premium are now well-known incentives for companies. Nevertheless, the benefits in terms of employee safety are still poorly understood, or at least rather vague.
Silence: danger or advantage?
One of the first things drivers notice when they switch to an electric car is how quiet it is, creating a comfortable and relaxing driving experience. Like the Renault Mégane e-Tech and its 10 decibels at 10 km/h/. This is a disadvantage, particularly for pedestrians, who may not be able to hear the vehicle coming. However, to combat this, all-electric vehicles are fitted with a vehicle acoustic warning system (AVAS), which sounds when the vehicle is reversing or travelling at less than 20 km/h.
Adaptive cruise control
Thanks to the adaptive cruise controlThe driver sets the vehicle's maximum speed. From there, the front sensor does the rest of the work. It tells the brakes to maintain this distance and modifies the acceleration accordingly. It also keeps the vehicle within the maximum speed limit set by the driver. ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) is normally combined with a forward collision warning system, which is activated when the radar detects a potential accident.
Blind spot warning
It triggers an alert if another vehicle approaches from a visible angle or not in the side mirrors. In addition to a warning alarm to alert the driver, a warning light flashes on the dashboard. This system is also activated when the driver gives a lane-change signal, but vehicles behind are nearby.
Collision warning
By using radar sensors and the electric vehicle's cameras, this innovative device is capable of detecting any object (vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle) or other hazard in its vicinity. As soon as an obstacle is detected, it triggers a warning and then an alarm. If it detects that the car is approaching the obstacle at too high a speedIt brakes and stops the vehicle. This system works in such a way that the electric vehicle generally triggers it at high speed.
As well as all these benefits, driving an electric car has other advantages:
- the instant torque of the electric motor gives more responsive acceleration, making them ideal for urban driving.
- the weight and distribution of the batteries and the low centre of gravity benefit handling, comfort and, above all, safety.
Also read → How does technology improve the professional driving experience?
Electric cars: a plus for employee health
As well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from road transport, electric vehicles offer numerous health benefits for employees by reducing human exposure to air and noise pollution.
The health benefits of electric vehicles include a reduction in atmospheric pollutants (CO2, nitrogen oxides and most of the particles present in the air).
For example, reducing traffic noise from electric vehicles has significant public health benefits, including improved mental health and community wellbeing.
An in-depth study of theAmerican Lung Association has shown that a quieter driving environment and more comfortable driving of an electric vehicle could have significant beneficial effects on mental health. We also learned that drivers feel calmer and less stressed when they drive an electric vehicle. electric van compared with a diesel version.
The elimination of engine noise allows drivers to concentrate and drive more calmly. This increased concentration enables electric vehicle drivers to better spot pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Initiatives and regulations: the government is committed to employee safety
In recent years, various policies to support electric vehicles have been introduced in France. These government incentives have done much to stimulate the expansion of electric cars.
A safe electric vehicle
All companies in France are required to comply with the Labour Code. The latter requires companies equipping their employees with electric vehicles to provide them with safety equipment.
Regular maintenance checks must also be carried out and worn or damaged parts must be replaced as soon as possible. During their working hours, employees must be protected against accidents, knocks and fire.
Electric vehicles must therefore be equipped with the latest innovations in terms of safety:
- a deformation zone to absorb energy in the event of impact
- a fire protection system
- an automatic power cut-off system in the event of a collision
- a system to prevent leaks
It is therefore essential for a company to carry out these checks and inspections as frequently as possible to guarantee maximum safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
Discover the electric cars available from Beev
Developing new safety systems
To guarantee driver safety, manufacturers are constantly developing new safety systems, each more innovative than the last.
Functional safety for connected vehicles
This safety device ensures that the electric vehicle's critical systems (propulsion, braking, steering) function perfectly, even in the event of a fault or malfunction. It complies with French, European and international standards ISO 26262. These three standards define the requirements and guidelines.
Passive safety
This type of safety refers to the components of the electric vehicle that contribute to the protection of vehicle occupants in the event of an accident. It includes seatbelts, airbags and the vehicle structure. These components are common to both conventional and electric vehicles. To test these safety systems, a number of tests are carried out, including frontal collision, side impact and roof strength tests. Passive safety is governed by the regulation (EU) 2019/2144which came into force on 6 July 2022.
Active safety
It is the set of safety systems that prevent an accident from happening. These safety systems for electric vehicles include anti-lock brakes, traction control systems and electronic stability programmes. These systems rely on sensors and algorithms and are common in both electric and internal combustion vehicles.
The cyber security of connected vehicles
As modern vehicles incorporate ADAS functions and communication interfaces, they become increasingly connected and the danger of potential cyber attacks increases. This is particularly true for electric vehicles, as they operate fully connected with different networks and protocols that need to be protected.
How can you make a successful transition to an electric vehicle?
For a company, one of the main challenges when considering the electrification of its car fleet is to be able to provide a reliable and efficient service. recharging infrastructure for all its employees.
Providing an adequate recharging infrastructure
Installing charging points makes it easy for employees to recharge their vehicles during working hours. Employees simply plug their electric vehicle into the charging point and recharge it while they work. That way, they save time. Support is available to encourage companies to install charging points.
At national level, the ADVENIR programme takes 50 % of the cost of purchasing and installing a recharging point for French companies (up to a maximum of €600). It also subsidises the supply costs. Of course, the terminals must only be used by employees or customers and must comply with current safety standards.
Regional aid is also available to support companies in this project, for example, the Île-de-France region is offering €200 per recharging point for companies with fewer than 250 employees. On the local front, the City of Paris is offering €500 aid per recharging point for companies that commit to installing at least 5.
Also read → Support for the installation of charging points in 2023
Training and raising employee awareness: the key to success?
Many company employees are still unaware of the many advantages that electric vehicles can offer them. Organising workshops or training sessions to inform them is essential. They can learn more about the reduced running costs, lower maintenance requirements and environmental benefits.
These awareness-raising sessions will also be an opportunity to inform them of the potential for long-term savings, including reduced fuel costs and possible tax incentives. By promoting understanding, misconceptions are dispelled and employees are encouraged to seriously consider electric vehicles as a viable option.
For more information, we've put together a guide to this topic to explore the different aspects in depth:
Read our article about :
