IAM RoadSmart recently released an insights blog about the user experience issues motorist face when travelling in an electric vehicle (EV). While most of these issues still exist, recent product releases have resolved some of the points we mentioned.
One significant issue that businesses face when transitioning to EVs is the limitations of the current fuel cards. Drivers currently have had to download various applications and claim back the parking and charging costs – causing additional paperwork for the fleet managers.
However, we’re now seeing fuel card providers begin to innovate and provide solutions to these issues that will be exacerbated by the government’s push to EVs by 2025.
One such provider is Allstar Business Solutions, who have now released their One Electric Card. This is a much-needed innovation for business drivers and fleet managers, one that many providers will follow to stay competitive in the ever-changing landscape.
Allstar One Electric has the features of a traditional fuel card with the added ability to pay for EV charging at over 8,400 charge points in over 3,000 locations.
Finding charging points can also be a painful task as many chargepoints don’t appear on Google/iOS maps. Allstar have considered this and have partnered with Zap-Map, an EV charging app, allowing customers to search for charge points across the Allstar network, viewing site information and availability in real-time.
Zap-Maps allows customers to pay for EV charging at participating sites, through a single-app payment system, mitigating the existing problem of multiple payment methods across different applications. This allows business drivers and fleet managers to track their charging history and vehicle mileage in a streamlined invoicing solution.
A smoother transition to an electric fleet
For many business fleets, making the transition to electric vehicles could bring major cost savings, equip employees to operate in Clean Air Zones without worry, and support your environmental aims. Not all drivers are familiar with the technology and its capabilities and may be resistant to making the switch, holding back their progress, or they may have adopted an EV without fully understanding the safest, most efficient way to incorporate electric motoring into their work and lifestyle.
IAM RoadSmart’s EV Familiarisation course is designed to introduce drivers to EV driving characteristics and instrumentation, and to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to make optimal use of battery range, helping remove the barriers to adoption and improve safety out on the road.
