EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW :
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW :
Hilmar Van Den Dool
Bringing electric vehicles ( EVs ) into a fleet can be a challenge , especially if you ' re not sure where to start or how to scale up . That ’ s why Shell Fleet Solutions is committed to providing operators with the necessary knowledge and infrastructure to manage the transition successfully .
As Hilmar Van Den Dool , General Manager , eMobility and Decarbonisation at Shell , explains , there ’ s more to electrification than switching to EVs . And there are many more benefits to approaching the transition holistically , as he explores the capabilities and opportunities that effective depot charging solutions can offer to fleets .
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT STEPS THAT FLEET OPERATORS ARE NAVIGATING IN THE TRANSITION TO EVs ?
I n the fast-paced world of delivery and operational fleets , where vehicles are critical to delivering their goods and services , electrification is accelerating 1 . Fleet owners see EVs as the long-term solution , so it ’ s not a case of if fleets will transition to EVs , but when – and the shift is already underway .
We ’ re seeing a similar journey with heavy-duty fleets as well , with McKinsey & Company predicting that the majority of new trucks in Europe , the US and China will be electric by 2035 2 . Given that many organisations operate mixed fleets , electrification across all vehicles presents an effective decarbonisation pathway .
This means businesses need solutions that make EV charging reliable and accessible – giving them peace of mind that their vehicles will be ready to go when needed .
What we must remember is that this transition goes way beyond just the vehicles themselves . Fleets must also replace the energy sources they use to power their operations . Where they previously had a need to access conventional fuels , they now need the ability to charge their vehicles .
To realise the true potential of electrification – and unlock the benefits that come with it – businesses need to explore ways of driving sustainable growth . This means accelerating decarbonisation while maintaining profitability through improved efficiency and operational expenditure ( OpEx ), by considering the needs of their fleet today and anticipating the requirements of tomorrow .
1 . Shell , Deloitte . “ Navigating Fleet Decarbonisation : A Guide to Driving a Successful Transition ”, 2022
2 . McKinsey & Company , “ Preparing the world for zero-emission trucks ”, 2022