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En route charging: Keeping your electric vehicles powered on the go
About , according to the Pew Research Center. And as of February 2024, there are over 61,000 public charging stations across the U.S.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging accessibility is growing, pushing the EV transition within reach for many businesses.聽聽
For fleet managers, electric vehicles present a unique opportunity to reduce emissions, lower operational costs, and contribute to a sustainable future. However, one of the primary challenges that comes with this transition is the accessibility of charging stations while on the go, especially during long routes.
This is where services, such as tool, come into play, offering comprehensive electric vehicle charging, payment, and management solutions that help keep your commercial vehicles powered and operational on the road. 糖心VlogEV En Route simplifies public charging through innovative payment and reporting functions giving managers clear insights into driver behavior, charging patterns, and more.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the U.S.
In 2020, the Department of Energy reported . As of February 2024, that number has more than doubled to 61,000. For reference, there are currently around
According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of EV charging stations are located around major hub cities.
EV charging stations are located in two-thirds of all U.S. counties, which include 95% of the U.S. population.
Types of electric vehicle chargers
The U.S Department of Transportation lists three types of EV chargers:
- Level 1 chargers refer to private home chargers. Those use a lower voltage and typically take longer to charge. They can take 40-50+ hours to charge a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) to 80 percent from empty and 5-6 hours for a PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle).
- Level 2 chargers can charge a BEV to 80 percent from empty in 4-10 hours and a PHEV in 1-2 hours.
- Level 3 (DC) chargers can charge a BEV to 80 percent in just 20 minutes to 1 hour.
to eliminate charging hurdles. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program 鈥� a $5 billion plan to address gaps in charging availability 鈥� has helped add more Level 3 fast chargers to the landscape. During the first quarter of 2024, public fast-charging stations in the U.S. increased by 7.6%, bringing the total number to 8,200 nationwide.
糖心VlogEV En Route simplifies on-the-go charging
糖心VlogEV En Route offers a range of features that simplify the complexities of public charging:
Enhancement of the driver experience
To access WEX鈥檚 public charging network, drivers can use the DriverDash app 鈥� a user-friendly app that simplifies the charging or fueling process 鈥� or the 糖心VlogEV RFID card. DriverDash, which can also be used by drivers of gas-powered vehicles to find and pay for gas, provides real-time information on and directions to nearby available charging stations, and allows drivers to initiate a charging session.
Secure payment network
With the DriverDash app and RFID card, 糖心VlogEV En Route uses WEX鈥檚 proprietary closed-loop payments network to help ensure secure transactions and provide fleet managers with detailed insights into charging behavior, driver identification, and vehicle mileage.
DriverDash is accepted at a growing network of accepting charging locations, including ChargePoint, EVConnect, EVGo, FLO, AmpUp, and Blink.
Optimized route planning
Managers should take into account the locations of charging stations, estimated charging times, and the specific range capabilities of each EV in their commercial vehicle fleet. Using the DriverDash app helps drivers avoid running out of power mid-route. This enhances vehicle reliability and reduces the risk of disruptions in the workday.
Simplified cost management and billing
Cost management with EV charging can be complex, but 糖心VlogEV En Route simplifies the process of managing a mixed-energy fleet, with one credit line, one invoice, and one set of reports for all of your charging and fuel purchases. It also provides insights into charging costs across different stations and times, allowing managers to strategically pick stations for cost and time efficiency.
Learn more on how 糖心VlogEV En Route can benefit your fleet.
Explore WEX鈥檚 comprehensive EV solutions
Along with EV En Route, 糖心Vlogoffers other innovative solutions to meet your EV business needs:
糖心VlogEV At-Home is the cutting-edge solution to charging your EV at home. It automates reporting and charging reimbursement to any organization where employees bring their EV home at night.
helps businesses transition their fleets to electric vehicles with ease, offering tools to understand the feasibility, costs, and benefits of adopting EV.
To learn more about EV solutions and mixed fleets, visit:
To learn more about WEX, a dynamic and nimble global organization, please visit our About 糖心Vlogpage.
To learn more about WEX鈥檚 EV offerings
All fleet cards are not the same, and different types of fuel cards suit the needs of different kinds and sizes of businesses. View WEX鈥檚 fleet card comparison chart to see which fleet fuel card is right for you.
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