ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle)

The term ultra low emissions vehicle—or ULEV—is a designation given to any road vehicle that emits less than 75g of CO2 per kilometre. This can be achieved using various technologies. A growing number of new cars are designed to meet ULEV emission standards. Examples include:

  • Fully electric vehicles
  • Hybrid electric vehicles
  • Range-extended electric vehicles
  • Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEV)

ULEV is one of several low carbon solutions. Related vehicle classes include super ultra low emissions vehicles (SULEV) and partial zero emissions vehicles (PZEV). Specific emission standards vary by country, but each of the forementioned categories is focused on minimising tailpipe emissions to help protect the environment.

Zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs), true to their name, do not emit any CO2 at all.

Most ULEVs are either battery powered or hydrogen fueled. Battery powered vehicles must be recharged on a regular basis, necessitating a well-planned charging infrastructure. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be refueled at dedicated hydrogen filling stations.

Many governments today promote the adoption of ULEVs as a means of combating climate change. Increasingly, this takes the form of government grants, tax breaks, and other financial incentives.

At Evenergi, we specialise in helping clients transition to a low emissions vehicle fleet in a way that is timely, sustainable, and cost-effective. Doing it right involves detailed planning based on accurate, data-driven information.

Our BetterFleet and GridFleet software platforms are designed to simplify a complex process that normally entails significant levels of uncertainty and risk. In doing so, they empower you to fulfill the massive financial and environmental upside of your ULEV migration.

Key questions to consider while planning your transition involve:

  • Vehicle replacement
  • Energy infrastructure requirements
  • Individual vehicle optimisation
  • Emissions accounting and forecasting
  • Battery management
  • Annual budgeting
  • Future network demand

Evenergi will help clarify all of that and more by converting bulk data into actionable insights, which we then use to hammer out a long term framework suited to your specific needs. All with a view to realizing an optimised and manageable ULEV fleet for your organisation.

ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicles)

ZEV stands for zero emissions vehicle. It is an increasingly popular solution for organisations looking to transition to a better, greener, and more sustainable fleet of vehicles. Evenergi will help you avoid common pitfalls as you undertake your migration to an optimised ZEV fleet.

As the name indicates, zero emissions vehicles do not release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Whereas internal combustion engine vehicles run on petroleum fuels, zero emissions vehicles use clean, renewable energy sources. They do not have a harmful effect on air quality or the environment at large.

ZEVs come in two principal forms, namely electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs).

In the case of EVs, the vehicles are battery powered and run on a charge/discharge cycle. On the other hand, FCEVs rely on fuel cell technology which converts hydrogen fuel into electricity. They do not require recharging.

Given how much the global transport sector contributes to greenhouse gas emissions at present, transitioning to a ZEV fleet is a vitally important action against climate change. Evenergi has a proven track record of success when it comes to facilitating a smooth, efficient, and economic ZEV migration.

Numerous variables must be examined when choosing a ZEV fleet. No two clients are alike; each has a unique set of requirements that impact the decision making process. We streamline that process for you by delivering customised, data driven information that is both sophisticated and easy to understand and implement.

In helping you assemble a comprehensive framework for your ZEV transition, Evenergi will perform detailed analyses of key aspects of your organisation as well as your operational environment. These include vehicle technology, energy infrastructure, fleet policies, staff engagement, electricity markets, and more.

The consequent insights allow you to make informed decisions regarding the selection, procurement, optimisation, and long-term management of a ZEV fleet.

Electric Vehicle Monitoring

When discussing electric vehicles—particularly electric buses, trucks, and other transport vehicles—the importance of reliable data cannot be overstated. It informs every major decision you make, from procurement and adoption to integration and long term fleet management.

At Evenergi, we specialise in gathering complex data sets and converting them into accurate insights that can be applied to your zero emissions project with confidence.

Electric vehicle monitoring is a big part of that. You could say it’s the cornerstone of a successful fleet management strategy. An effective electric vehicle monitoring system works by compiling, processing, and translating critical data in real time. This enables early detection and diagnosis, as well as accurate prognosis and forecasting.

Applied the right way, electric vehicle monitoring can help identify hidden opportunities related to fleet diversification, optimal route planning, EV battery management, energy infrastructure investments, charging hotspots, and more. Let’s take a closer look.

How does electric vehicle monitoring work?

The goal of of electric vehicle monitoring is to boost operational efficiency, thereby increasing sustainability and minimizing overall cost of ownership. It relies on telematics, which combines GPS technology and data analytics to generate customised solutions for your electric fleet.

The system performs a detailed analysis of a vehicle’s route. It then determines the most economic route available and communicates this information to the user. Typically, the insights are delivered via a mobile device with an intuitive, user-friendly interface.

Electric vehicle monitoring solutions are drawn from various interrelated data sets. Chief among them are:

Vehicle Data

Assessing the performance of individual electric vehicles, as well as your electric fleet as a whole, is a crucial element of electric vehicle monitoring. It ensures that vehicles are operating at an optimal level, and moreover that each vehicle is properly integrated into your network.

Electric Vehicle Battery Data

You can’t successfully measure your electric fleet’s performance without taking into account battery usage data. Our electric vehicle monitoring system provides you with all the information you need regarding battery usage, battery health, and charging status.

Route Tracking and Planning Data

Evenergi’s electric vehicle monitoring simplifies the otherwise onerous task of route and schedule planning. Real time solutions are based on an analysis of potential charging points along a vehicle’s route. It can also make real time recommendations based on changeable factors such as traffic, weather conditions, and terrain.

Driver Behavior Data

In addition to examining vehicle, battery, and route data, it is important to manage driver behavior. Electric vehicle monitoring achieves this by evaluating driver behavior data and issuing corrective feedback in real time. This improves fleet economy while simultaneously enhancing vehicle safety.

Comprehensive electric vehicle monitoring is easy with BetterFleet software from Evenergi. Get started today.

EV Fleet

Vehicle fleets that run on petrol or diesel fuel are among most significant factors behind the current climate crisis. That’s why governments and companies around the world are taking steps to limit the carbon emissions produced by fleet vehicles such as buses and cargo trucks.

The rise of electric vehicles represents an enormous opportunity. Fleet electrification is an increasingly popular solution for corporations as well as local and national governments. The electric bus market alone is projected to grow from 112,000 units in 2022 to over 671,000 units in 2027.

Transitioning to an EV fleet has the effect of dramatically reducing your organisation’s carbon footprint. Moreover, when done properly, it will boost efficiency and sustainability while ultimately bringing down total cost of ownership. 

We at Evenergi are experts at helping you secure the financial and environmental advantages of fleet electrification. From planning and procurement to optimisation and long term management, we provide you with the data based insights you need to identify opportunities and capitalize on them. Our services simplify the decision making process, preventing costly mistakes and limiting overall risk.

EV Buses

Bus fleets—whether commercial or municipal fleets—are obvious candidates for electrification. In addition to harming the environment, their substantial tailpipe emissions pose a direct threat to public health by polluting the air we breathe. They also contribute to noise pollution.

The potential upside of bus fleet electrification is immense. With that said, EV transition is generally complex, and buses are no exception. It involves numerous variables that must be individually understood before being integrated into a broader transition framework.

Beyond selecting and procuring zero emissions vehicles, bus operators must factor in things like:

  • Charging infrastructure
  • Depot configurations
  • Electricity capacity
  • Battery management
  • Battery range
  • Route optimisation
  • Driver upskilling
  • Upfront costs

With regard to charging infrastructure, two options exist: depot based charging and on route charging. In the case of depot based charging, vehicles are recharged on-site overnight. With on route charging, vehicles are recharged via designated charging stations along the route.

Depending on the specifics of your network and operational environment, one option may be clearly preferable to the other. In some cases, a hybrid model could be the optimal solution.

Regarding upfront costs, it’s important to note that EV buses have a high purchase price relative to diesel buses. They are also heavier due to the weight of the battery, which decreases passenger capacity. Evenergi will help you develop comprehensive costing models to arrive at an accurate overall price.

EV Fleets for Logistics

Operators of long haul freight trucks and other heavy transport vehicles stand to gain just as much from fleet electrification—especially as the demand for logistics services continues to go up.

As with buses, diesel trucks are a major source of the transport sector’s carbon footprint. Transitioning to EV truck fleets will sharply curtail tailpipe emissions which in turn has a favorable effect on air quality, noise pollution, and public health.

While planning an EV transition, truck fleet operators must consider many of the same factors as bus fleet operators. That means extensive modeling to account for charging infrastructure (depot vs on route), route optimisation, driver upskilling, total cost of ownership, and more.

That said, complexity is heightened by the fact that freight vehicle fleets have substantially higher energy requirements than buses. This presents specific challenges, although new developments in battery technology are making the job of powering electric trucks easier and more cost effective.

Evenergi is here to make your zero emissions vision a reality. Armed with insights generated by our sophisticated software programs, you can plan, adopt, and optimise an EV fleet with minimal risk and maximal reward.

EV Transition

Transitioning your fleet to electric vehicles is the core of what we do at Evenergi. EV transition is one of the most significant actions you can take to proactively combat climate change. It is also one of the most elaborate. We’re here to help.

Whether you’re looking to adopt a fleet of fully electric buses, or strategically plan charging infrastructure to satisfy growing demand, we will provide you with practical, efficient, and cost-effective solutions to complicated issues.

Taking the guesswork out of EV migration

The inherent complexity of EV transition makes it fraught with risk and uncertainty. It can be hard to determine which challenges to tackle first. There are numerous factors to consider, each of which presents its own unique set of difficulties and potential solutions.

Critical questions to answer involve, among other things, EV vehicle selection, procurement, adoption, optimisation, integration, management, and sustainability. One mistake in these areas can have far-reaching effects, leading to delays, higher costs, and poor overall implementation of network assets.

We’re here to ensure that your EV migration goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. How do we do this? By removing the guesswork. Our advanced software programs are designed to simplify the EV migration process by generating clear, actionable, data-based insights.

The resulting framework covers every aspect of your EV transition, including but not limited to:

We leave no stone unturned as we guide you along the best path toward an optimised, sustainable fleet of electric vehicles.

Electric vehicle procurement

Identifying effective procurement solutions with electric vehicles and ULEV fleets is critically dependent upon the intended application and function. We interpret your project’s aims, stakeholders, and projected lifespan using granular data analytics. 

We therefore enable you to discern the most appropriate EV vehicles for each and every application across your network. It is important to note that there is not just one EV vehicle solution; rather, we provide a host of modular solutions that vary widely according to your specifications.

Charging infrastructure

An electric vehicle fleet cannot function optimally in the absence of adequate charging infrastructure. Our services include a comprehensive assessment of the immediate and long-term requirements of your organisation’s operational environment. We arm you with the information necessary to understand and anticipate changes in network demand while pinpointing infrastructure hotspots.

Integrating your electric vehicle fleet with a well-designed charging infrastructure is essential for the sustainability of your EV or ULEV network. Through our BetterFleet and GridFleet platforms, Evenergi empowers you to create an effective infrastructure plan, taking into account potential future scenarios and how they are likely to impact your network.

Logistics

The logistics of your EV transition can be difficult to organise. Our scenario planning tools help you avoid costly mistakes while you plan your migration. With our help you will be able to maximise the financial and environmental benefits of a zero emissions vehicle fleet.

Zooming in

Depending on your needs, Evenergi can help you train your focus on individual facets of EV transition. Our software and services will equip you with the detailed insights you need to perform a deep dive into one or more specific opportunities.

For instance, you may want to improve the residual value management of your zero emissions vehicles. Or maybe you’re seeking reliable, data-driven information about how best to attract private sector investment in charging infrastructure. Perhaps you want to understand the overall impact of EV transition on your organisation, community, or energy distribution network.

Evenergi can assist you in all of that and more. We are prepared to tailor a strategy to meet your specific requirements. In the end, you will have realized your EV transition goals in the most methodical, sustainable, and economic way possible.

A Guide to Electric Vehicle Monitoring

The vehicle-related specific data is a major driving force behind decisions such as investments in charging infrastructure, fleet diversification, and upskilling of drivers. That is how EV fleets are considered close to the “tipping point” of mass adoption. Electric vehicle monitoring enables reliability by detection, diagnosis, and prognosis. 

Stringent government policies towards emission reduction are going to change the way transportation looks today. City planners and managers leverage the power of transport data for an emission-free, clean environment. Electric vehicle(s) answer these complicated questions based on their ability to deliver real-time trustable data. A smart electric vehicle monitoring system gathers, reports, analyses, and translates this data for efficient fleet management in realising the broader agendas.

Electric Vehicle Monitoring Data

Electric vehicle fleet management solutions are commonly based on telematics with user-friendly hand-held devices. In real-time monitoring of the electric fleet, specific data is collected and processed for a tailor-made route best for each vehicle. At the core of monitoring fleet performance, GPS signal and data analytics enables it to make solid predictions aiming at improving efficiency. Effective monitoring provides insights about:

  • Vehicle data

Vehicle profiling is operated on the cloud and continuously undergoes learning and process improvement. EV data guides fleet managers about the actual range of the vehicles, energy consumption, and overall fleet performance.

  • EV Battery data

The battery usage data and charging status can be useful in determining battery health. Electric vehicle monitoring supports the evaluation of fleets’ and individual vehicles’ state of charge. The data is useful in steering away from the charge anxiety.

  • Route and schedule data

Electric fleet’s optimal route planning is a key dynamic in the total cost of EV ownership. Integrated approach with built-in google maps collects real-time for the best possible charging points on the vehicle’s route. The process ensures that the vehicle continues its operation with a safe charge limit and doesn’t cause range anxiety for drivers or fleet managers. Additionally, the entire electric fleet operates in sync with electric charge readings and asset optimal use. Such monitoring is proving beneficial particularly for electric buses.

  • Uncontrollable factor data

Monitoring of uncontrollable conditions like geography, road type, or climate provided insights regarding the state of charge which is helpful for accurate prediction of range during certain times of the year or a day.

  • Driver behavior data

Last but not the least, the driver behavior alteration towards more safe driving can be achieved based on the data on the go. The monitoring mechanism is quite effective in accident ratio and imposing corrective measures promptly.

Maximum resource utilisation and efficiency of electrical infrastructure with reduced costs are major aspirations in the EV adoption regime. A few opportunities that exist in the core of electric vehicle monitoring, are;

  • Avoiding costly upgrades in electrical infrastructure
  • Technology advancement and scalability
  • Use of IoT and smart technologies for mitigation of cost barriers
  • Achieving the utilisation efficiency of electric fleets

Unlock the power of effective monitoring by employing an efficient EV Monitoring system with Evenergi.

Supporting Documentation

  1.  https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1049/iet-epa.2018.5732
  2. https://www.greenbiz.com/article/4-cities-using-transportation-data-be-more-sustainable-and-socially-inclusive
  3. https://blog.contus.com/iot-enabled-electric-vehicle-monitoring-solution/
  4. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/252/1/012095/pdf
  5. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6915044
  6. https://www.dcs.warwick.ac.uk/~nathan/resources/Publications/aii-2016.pdf
  7. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8005044
  8. https://www.csagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/CSA-RR_ElectricVehicle_WebRes.pdf

Vehicle to Grid – An Overview

There are more than 80 V2G trials globally, with the majority of trials taking place in Europe where the world’s major automobile companies, distribution network service providers and electric car charger manufacturing companies are collaborating.

The V2G hub maps out V2G projects from around the world, which includes projects with physical deployment of V2G technology for a specific use case and excludes experimental research and narrow technology demonstration.

Companies can stay ahead of the game by taking part in V2G trials to test out the technology and evaluate the benefits for their fleet.

What is V2G?

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) describes a system in which plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), such as battery electric vehicles (BEV) or plug-in hybrids (PHEV), communicate with the power grid to sell demand response services by either returning electricity to the grid or by throttling their charging rate.

V2G storage capabilities can enable EVs to store and discharge electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, with output that fluctuates depending on weather and time of day.

Benefits of V2G

V2G directs the charging and discharging of EV batteries based on users’ needs and the grid’s electricity supply, it allows the electricity grid to optimise the supply of local renewable energy and reduce infrastructure costs, while the EV owner can enjoy greener, more economical consumption of electricity and be financially rewarded for serving the electricity grid.

This means V2G comes with the following benefits for the EV owner and the distribution network:

  • Supporting electrical grid, reducing concerns for grid overload
  • Maximise the business case opportunity of your EVs
  • Cheap and fast energy storage
  • Making use of existing resources
  • Reduction of environmental impact

How V2G works

V2G directs the charging and discharging of electric-vehicle batteries in accordance with users’ needs and the grid’s supply of available electricity. When electricity supply exceeds demand (notably during peak periods of renewable energy production), charging occurs at the maximum level; however, during peak electricity demand, vehicles can then supply electricity into the grid.

The figure below shows four models of V2G and the potential electricity and revenue flows across its stakeholders.

Challenges of V2G

The only technical disadvantage of V2G operation is the battery degradation due to the high number of charge/discharge cycles. Most electric car manufacturers are not providing warranty for V2G operations except a few i.e. Nissan and Mitsubishi. This strategy is still in its early stages to be implemented on a large scale.

Applications for V2G

Apart from providing local services at individual levels, when aggregated, EVs can also provide services to the grid for:

  • Voltage regulation
  • Frequency regulation

Optimal utilisation of the energy resources (electric cars as battery reserves) will result in minimum cost of energy consumption for the end users as well as reduced impact on the electric power grid.

Apart from V2G, it is worthwhile to think about V2X, which can be vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-building, vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-home. The concept remains the same with different applications.

Evenergi consulting for V2G

Evenergi can provide services for modeling the energy management systems by optimal utilisation of available energy resources.

Evenergi can also help facilitate V2G trials with industry partners such as distributed network supply providers (DNSPs), electric car manufacturers, electric car charger manufacturers, and state governments.

Contact Evenergi here.