Focusing on Air Quality

All content on this case study was created prior to the acquisition of EB Charging by Blink Charging.

This case study shows how we took Herts Independent Living Service (HILS) on a journey to meet their budgetary and environmental objectives, improving air quality through fleet electrification.

Having understood the challenges HILS were facing, we helped them to build a business case with real world data, enabling them to rollout electrification of their fleet with full confidence.

About Herts Independent Living Service

HILS operates a seven days a week ‘meals on wheels’ service within Hertfordshire, alongside other services.

Its fleet comprises of Hyundai i10 and i30, and Nissan Micra. Vehicles operate a typical six-hour business day, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, seven days a week. They are based out of one of four business locations in Hertfordshire: St Albans, Ware, Letchworth and Hemel Hempstead. All of the vehicles surveyed were stored at these locations each night.

The Challenge

Our clients objectives in this instance were two-fold:

1. To improve the organisation’s environmental credentials, with a particular focus on air quality
2. To simultaneously reduce fleet operational costs

Blink worked with HILS to focus on how electric vehicles (EVs) could support their objectives, by looking at which vehicles or routes could be replaced with EVs, and what supporting charger infrastructure would be needed. The challenges also included alleviating any potential concerns about the range of EVs, and the scope for expansion for future operations. Our solution was delivered with a three-stage process: evaluation, recommendation, and adoption of EVs.

Our Solution – EVolve

We undertook an assessment using real world vehicle data from telematics installed in HILS vehicles, and modelled how EVs would have performed under the same conditions. This approach ensures that the findings and recommendations accurately reflect the normal business operations of the HILS fleet.

Based on the data gathered from the assessed vehicles, Blink recommended a programme of conversion to EVs. After transitioning to EVs, we compiled monthly reports, showing HILS the substantial savings that they were now making.

The Results

The key findings from the telematics reports showed that the Nissan Leaf typically travelled less than 20 miles a day, which is less than 25% of the total range. Even with these low mileage rates, this EV was saving HILS around £55 per month, and costing as little as £20 per week to run. This is even when including vehicle servicing and Road Tax costs.

In addition to lower running and maintenance costs, EVs are exempt from the congestion charge – saving an additional £250 per month. This accumulates to more than £2,650 per year, a substantial saving made by simply making the transition to an EV.

The trial proved so successful that HILS are now running their service with two 100% electric EVs , and are looking to electrify the remainder of their fleet, as and when vehicles are required to be replaced. A rewarding venture leading to a wider uptake of EVs, with significant savings and reduced emissions, HILS can deliver their services with the knowledge that they are contributing to the drive towards cleaner air.

Raring to join the rEVolution?

Everyone’s journey to electric is unique, which is why our products and services are designed to complement each other in order to meet your clean air goals. If this case study has similarities to your needs, visit our Analysis page, where our EVolve service will prove the feasibility of EVs for your driving requirements.