Fleet electrification: how logistics companies are switching to EVs 

Fleet electrification is the process by which a logistics company gradually replaces its vehicle fleet with fully electric vehicles. The process involves vehicle selection, charging infrastructure, staff training, route optimisation and financial planning. The motivation is threefold: LEZ legislation, CO₂ targets and the falling ownership costs of electric vehicles in the medium term.

The 5 steps of fleet electrification

Fleet electrification does not happen overnight. Logistics companies that plan the transition properly go through five steps, from an initial driving data analysis to driver training. Each step builds on the previous one and prevents investments from being misallocated. 

Step 1: Route analysis and driving behaviour data

Before a company invests in electric vehicles, it maps out its existing driving patterns. Which vehicles cover which distances, with what loads and at what times? This data determines the priority for replacement. Delivery vans with a daily driving range of less than 200 km are suitable for immediate replacement with electric vehicles. Vehicles covering longer distances or carrying heavy loads require a separate scenario and, in some cases, a different vehicle type. 

Step 2: Vehicle selection 

Using the driving data as a starting point, the company selects the appropriate models for each type of use. In 2024, the market for electric delivery vans comprised more than 30 models in the up-to-3.5-tonne segment. Common models for urban logistics include those from the Stellantis Group (Citroën e-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Partner, Fiat E-Doblo), the Ford E-Transit and the Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo. Relevant specifications for last-mile delivery include range (WLTP-certified), load volume and payload in kg. 

Step 3: Charging infrastructure 

Charging infrastructure is the most underestimated investment in fleet electrification. Those who fail to plan their charging strategy in advance will encounter capacity issues as soon as the fleet grows. Three strategies are common, and they are not mutually exclusive: 

1. Depot charging: all vehicles charge overnight at the depot via a multi-phase connection with load balancing. The most cost-effective basic strategy for fleets with a fixed depot. 
2. Hub charging: DC fast chargers (min. 50 kW) at urban micro-hubs charge vehicles between delivery rounds. Ideal for high daily mileage or multiple delivery rounds per day. 
3. Public charging: suitable as a supplementary buffer, not as a primary strategy for fleets with more than 5 vehicles. 

Step 4: Subsidies and funding 

The higher purchase price of electric vehicles is the main barrier for transport companies. Belgian authorities and European funds provide a wide range of financing options to accelerate the transition. Belgian transport companies have access to four types: 

• VLAIO grants for sustainable business investments in Flanders 
• Brussels Greening Fleet Fund for vehicles operating in the Brussels LEZ 
• Tax incentives: full tax deductibility of EV lease costs until 2026 
• ERDF co-financing for logistics infrastructure projects in European innovation regions 

Step 5: Staff training and route adjustments 

An electric vehicle drives differently to a diesel van, and this requires adjustments to driving behaviour and planning. Driving patterns affect the actual range by 15 to 30 per cent: regenerative braking, use of heating and driving speed determine how many kilometres a driver actually covers. Drivers are trained in energy-efficient driving through targeted sessions. Route planning then takes into account charging time slots and the certified driving range per vehicle per day. 

Ownership costs: diesel vs. electric 

The purchase price of an electric van is 20 to 40 per cent higher than that of a comparable diesel model. However, over a five-year period, the cost-benefit balance shifts in favour of electric vehicles for those with high daily mileage. The energy costs of an electric van are 60 to 70 per cent lower per kilometre than diesel, based on average Belgian energy prices. Maintenance costs fall by an average of 30 per cent because electric powertrains have fewer wear-and-tear parts. -

Find out how VPD organises zero-emission deliveries in the Benelux.