As I worked on this piece last night, I found that Ford's Telematics were the key to solving Fize Electrique's EV conversion plan, It has taken 6 years but it has worked.
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Let’s stipulate something before we get into Fize Electrique’s plan for converting its fleet to electric vehicles:
Canada is much colder than the United States, and winters there are also far colder.
Country Temp Profiles Differ
The temperature in the teens (Celsius) north of the border is usually much warmer in the states. So, any firm committing to converting to EVs must consider this.
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Indeed, some might even question the idea of a conversion to EVs in Canada.
After all, while the temperature below the border in the US might be in the 20s to 30s during the winter, the temperature might be a good 10 to 20 degrees colder north of the border.
Six-Year Program So Far
You have to wonder why Fize Electrique began its conversion to EVs six years ago.
As Ford knows, it is no surprise that winters in Canada can be cold. Because of that, one of the most common questions Canadian customers ask is whether electric vehicles are a realistic option when temperatures begin to drop.
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Having begun his company’s transition to electric vehicles in 2018, Alain Fiset knows a thing or two about building a successful fleet operation throughout the year. As the director of Smart Energy for Fize Electrique – an electrical contractor based near Quebec City – he runs a zero-emissions fleet that includes seven E-Transit vans, an F-150 Lightning, and a Mustang Mach-E.
Ford Pro E-Telematics is designed for commercial customers and includes all capabilities plus EV-specific features.
Fiset has used it to track his fleet's real-time range and charge status, calculate range averages by vehicle throughout the year, remotely precondition vehicles, and seamlessly reimburse employees for home charging costs.
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Subscriptions Available
Every Ford EV comes with a trial subscription to the service, meaning commercial customers can manage all aspects of their fleet from the convenience of a smartphone or laptop, no matter where they are.
Achieving the efficiency Fiset and his team have didn’t happen by chance. It required research on available vehicles and services before transitioning the company fleet and training employees in good EV practices.
Careful Planning Needed
That meant taking telematics data and training employees to maximize vehicle efficiency, including vehicle preconditioning and responsible driving habits. Indeed, it was a key to Fize Electrique’s conversion program. It has been successful, as well.
Ford Motor Photo
Marc Stern has been an automotive writer since 1971. His automotive articles have appeared in venues including Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, and others. You can follow Marc on Twitter or Facebook.
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