Chauffeur services and electric cars: how to manage charging

The connection between chauffeur services and electric cars is growing stronger every day. The choice of all-electric vehicles in the chauffeur service sector is on the rise, thanks to the environmental and economic benefits these vehicles offer.

One of the most important aspects of managing an electric fleet is organizing charging. Efficiently managing charging is critical to ensuring continuity of service to customers while maximizing operational efficiency.

Here’s how to plan for recharging, choose appropriate chargers, and optimize EV efficiency for chauffeured transportation.

How to schedule charging for electric vehicles in chauffeur services

Planning your charging schedule is essential when using an electric car for chauffeur services. Before picking up a customer, you need to make sure your car is fully charged and, if necessary, schedule a charge to avoid stopping during the service.

When planning your charging times, it’s important to consider three key aspects:

• The range of the vehicle you are driving
• The location of charging stations
• The speed of charging

Let’s explore how these three factors affect your charging strategy.

Understanding your vehicle’s range

Before you plan your charging, you need to have a clear understanding of the range of your electric vehicle. Range can vary depending on the vehicle model, driving conditions, and the load being carried. Calculating the average range based on the routes you typically drive will allow you to plan your charging efficiently and avoid unexpected situations.

Location of charging stations

The location of charging stations is another important element in planning your charging. To ensure that you have access to a charging station when you need it, you should map the available stations along your usual routes and in areas where you are likely to need to recharge. Depending on the services you book and the routes you follow, make sure there are charging stations near customer pick-up points.

Pro tip: use apps that show nearby charging stations to know where to stop in advance, reducing the risk of running out of battery power in an area without charging stations. Having an updated map of nearby charging stations is useful for planning strategic stops between services to optimize your charging time.

Charging speed

Charging speed is also a critical factor in managing an electric vehicle service fleet. There are different types of charging stations that vary in power and charging time.

Specifically, fast charging stations are perfect for charging quickly and getting back to work without long interruptions, such as managing consecutive services. In contrast, slow charging stations can be used during longer breaks, such as overnight or during meals.

What types of charging stations exist?

We can’t talk about charging electric cars without understanding how charging stations work and the timing required for each “charge”.

• Slow charging stations: these use alternating current and are best suited for extended stops, such as overnight charging or during long breaks. While charging times can vary depending on the vehicle and station power, a full charge typically takes several hours. This type of charging is recommended if you can leave your vehicle idle for an extended period of time.
• Quick charging stations: these use direct current and can charge a vehicle’s battery up to 80% in a short time, often less than an hour. These stations are especially useful for those who run a chauffeur service and need to recharge quickly between trips. Identifying these stations is critical to maintaining high operational efficiency throughout the day.

How to optimize electric vehicle efficiency

Beyond smart planning of charging times and station locations, you can optimize the efficiency of your electric car by implementing a few key strategies.

One of the first strategies is to improve your driving style. For example, gradual acceleration, smooth braking, and maintaining a constant speed can help reduce the vehicle’s energy consumption. Electric cars also offer a feature that allows you to conserve (and recover) energy – the regenerative braking system.

Another important focus is keeping your car in top condition. Make sure your tires are properly inflated to improve overall efficiency and extend battery life.

How to manage charging costs

One of the most critical aspects when discussing about chauffeur services and electric cars is the cost factor. Charging costs can vary significantly depending on the type of station and your location.

Before choosing a charging station, compare the prices of the different options available. Some apps provide a comprehensive view of station rates, allowing you to choose the most cost-effective option.

Some stations have dynamic pricing that changes based on time of day or demand. In addition, many charging station providers offer subscriptions that provide more favorable rates for regular customers.

Improve your fleet management with LiMO

LiMO provides an all-in-one platform that allows you to monitor the bookins in real time, intelligently schedule and assign rides.

In addition, the LiMO community allows you to connect with other drivers and share rides to maximize the utilization of your fleet. To learn more, start here.