Why Driver Training is Essential if You’re Using Electric Vehicles
Globally, the switch from fossil fuels to electric vehicles is actually happening a lot faster than many people predicted. With advancements in battery technology, appealing electric models offered by major car brands, and incentives for switching to an electric vehicle offered by many authorities, both domestic users and commercial fleets are switching over rapidly, a trend that is set to continue. Rising fuel prices, environmental concerns, and noise pollution are also reasons why many people prefer electric cars. However, while having or moving to an all-electric fleet can be a great move for a company with a reliance on vehicles, it is important to know that despite recent growth, many drivers are not yet experienced in driving electric cars. If you are going electric in your company, here are some reasons why it is important to give driver training on getting the most out of an electric vehicle:
Safety
Knowing that all your drivers are properly prepared for and familiar with the electric cars in your fleet is very valuable in safety terms. Confident, competent drivers are less likely to have accidents or misuse their vehicles in ways that lead to maintenance issues. Electric cars are considered safe, but any vehicle that has a lot of differences from what the driver is familiar with is more likely to lead to incidents, which is why fleets must invest in EV driver safety.
A Different Driver Experience
Electric cars offer a different experience in terms of how they feel when they accelerate, and in terms of the need to get used to engine braking. Even the quiet sound can feel strange to an inexperienced driver who is used to having more audible feedback when they drive. There is no requirement for people to get a specific license or pass a test to drive an electric vehicle if they have a normal driver’s license, but that doesn’t mean everything will be instantly intuitive to someone whose only experience is with conventional vehicles. Driver Training can allow getting used to the feel of working with an electric vehicle so they don’t feel like they’re experimenting with their vehicle the first few times they take it out for work.
Efficiency
Electric cars are most efficient when driven by someone who understands how they work and how to monitor their energy consumption, for instance, how they can regain a little charge when running downhill, and other efficiency features. Having trained drivers using the models in your fleet will allow them to operate more efficiently, saving costs and getting more mileage per charge. This can make a difference, especially across a larger fleet.
You may well have a mixture of drivers who have used an electric vehicle before and those who haven’t, but offering driver training as standard to every driver is the best way to ensure that all of your driving team has the same knowledge and confidence when using your company’s vehicles as part of their work.
