Fylde Evolve

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

Using heat-mapping to identify key locations for electric vehicle chargers

Executive Summary

Blink completed a successful EVolve fleet analysis in partnership with Fylde Borough Council, Whiteside Taxis, and Kirkham Macs/Fylde Executive Cars. The project used heat mapping to identify the prime locations for rapid chargers, for which installation is planned on winning a bid for OLEV taxi funding.

About Fylde Borough Council

Fylde Borough Council is part of a consortium of six local authorities, led by Lancaster City Council. Together, the consortium is bidding for funding from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), this funding is available for installing EV rapid charging points which will be exclusively for electric taxis. Fylde also hope to join Blink in our electric charger network.

The Challenge

• Evidence the main routes and stopping points of the local taxi population, for future charging point requirements and locations.
• Prove the feasibility of converting to EVs/ULEVs for the individual drivers.
• Advise on any changes in practices or working methods as required by changing to EVs.
• Analyse and compare the running costs of existing vehicles with EVs.
• Provide bespoke assessments to individual drivers.
• Quantify the Air Quality improvements afforded by switching to EVs.
• Work openly and fairly with the taxi community.

Our Solution

We worked in partnership with Fylde Borough Council, Whiteside Taxis, and Kirkham Macs/Fylde Executive Cars, to install telematic devices into 23 vehicles.

Once installed, the devices were connected to the Blink analysis software, which recorded the individualised routes, stops, and mileages during the course of the working days. To comply with legal regulations, all of the driver / vehicle information was anonymised, ensuring the specific details of individual vehicles was not shared anywhere, except with the individual themselves. After installation, the drivers were only required to continue their normal daily routines, for the agreed analysis period of 32 days.

The Results

Using DVLA data on the performance of each existing vehicle, Blink were able to accurately assess the volume of emissions and the running costs of the existing vehicles. By comparing these results against an equivalent sized EV (in this case a Hyundai Ioniq), we were able to show the following savings on both running costs and emissions, on moving the fleet to EVs. The assessment ran for 32 days, from 22nd October 2018 to 22nd November 2018.

The following data was recorded for the 23 vehicles in the assessment. Any individual reports are taken from the same driver throughout this case study.

Data recorded for sample older vehicle (Reg: BW57 xxx):

• Average number of days / shifts analysed : 30
• Average driver efficiency rating : A+
• Total mileage : 2,877
• Average miles per trip : 4.41
• Average trips per day : 22
• Average daily mileage : 95.51

Data recorded for all vehicles:

• Average number of days/shifts analysed : 29
• Average driver efficiency rating : A
• Total mileage : 78,167
• Average miles per trip : 5
• Average trips per day : 24
• Average daily fleet mileage : 2,712
• Average daily vehicle mileage : 117.92

Estimated Running Cost Savings

• Total estimated savings during the test period for the sample vehicle : £340.12
• Total estimated savings during the test period for all 23 vehicles : £7,714.11
• Annualised estimated savings for sample vehicle : £3,061.11
• Annualised estimated savings for all 23 vehicles : £72,363.44

Estimated Emissions Savings

Feasibility

The feasibility data recorded in this assessment is under the assumption that the vehicles in question have the opportunity to be inactive for 6 hours daily. This would give the vehicle the opportunity to charge fully before the start of their shift (i.e charge overnight at home, depot or off street parking).

• A total of 653 separate trips were recorded for the individual driver. Of these, a total of 0 trips would have required a top-up charge.
• A total of 10,255 separate trips were recorded for all vehicles. Of these, a total of 2 trips would have required a top-up charge.
• A total of 28 stops were recorded for the individual driver, where the vehicle was inactive between 15 and 45 minutes, allowing for an 80% Rapid Charge top-up.
• A total of 620 stops were recorded for all vehicles where the vehicles were inactive between 15 and 45 minutes, allowing for an 80% Rapid Charge top-up.

The heat mapping provided evidence to accurately place Charging Points, to ensure usage with minimal disruption to the driver; whilst the data showed the projected usage requirements depending on the uptake of EVs. As below, the heat mapping shows a general view of convenient charging locations across the wider Lancaster region, followed by a focused view of the Fylde locality. The more time spent by the drivers in each location results in a bigger circle.

Summary

The heat map has accurately provided evidence of a number of sites that could potentially be used to install a Rapid Charger. These sites would give the local authority a choice as to the placement of the charger, ensuring maximum usage, with minimal disruption to the drivers during their working day.
The feasibility study showed there would be minimal disruption for the taxi drivers, on a day-to-day basis, to switch to an EV from their existing vehicles.

Next Steps

Fylde Borough Council were incredibly pleased with the project, and feel the resulting heat map is an effective tool to be used in the planning of the installation of rapid chargers. The taxi operators were also very impressed with the outcomes of the analysis. We are delighted that Whiteside Taxis will be installing their own EV chargers, once they begin the conversion of their fleet to EVs, and we look forward to continuing our partnership on their journey to electric.