Does your fleet have vehicles ready to make the switch to electric? Ford Pro has introduced new digital tools — including E-Switch Assist — to help integrate electric vans and trucks into fleets in a way that best meets business objectives and gets the job done. 

E-Switch Assist: Are Electric Vehicles Right for Your Organization? 

In a survey of fleet operators who have already integrated electric vehicles, gas and diesel vehicles still make up 58% of their fleet on average, and hybrid vehicles make up about 20%. Ford Pro E-Switch Assist is designed to help business and government customers determine if they’re ready to add electric vans and trucks to their fleet—like the E-Transit van and F-150 Lightning pickup—and can help identify which areas in the fleet are ideal for switching. 

E-Switch Assist uses algorithms to analyze connected vehicle data to compare the energy consumption of gas-powered vehicles with the estimated energy needs of comparable electric vehicles, recommending which gas-powered vehicles are suitable to switch. 

The tool accounts for distance driven, cargo load, vehicle efficiency, terrain, driver-specific behavior, external climate, and cabin heating load. The tool also estimates the required number of daily charges for both individual vehicles and fleets of all sizes.

“E-Switch Assist is a great tool for government fleet managers who need to be mindful of both time and resources. First, it is complimentary, and with public mandates and initiatives driving municipalities across the country towards electrification, E-Switch can assess whether certain vehicles are ready to make that transition without disrupting daily business. It also allows government fleet managers to better plan and prepare for both the immediate and future needs of their fleet in an efficient way, saving time and public money.” Nate McDonald, EV Strategy & Brand Manager, Ford Pro

Home Charging: Essential Equipment to Take Work Home 

In surveys conducted with fleet operators, almost 30% said their employees take company vehicles home after work. Available now, the Ford Pro Series 2 48-amp charger is a commercial-grade, high-quality charging solution designed for home use by employees. 

Ideal for charging overnight at home, the charger features RFID technology for both control and ease of access, LCD display, standard cellular connectivity with no Wi-Fi required, and will work on Ford and non-Ford vehicles. 

Ford Pro Charging Software manages employee charging activity regardless of vehicle make or location. It monitors usage, provides energy reimbursement reports, can set automated charging schedules, and monitors real-time household utility rates to schedule charging for non-peak hours, which can help reduce electricity costs and demand on the electrical grid.