When fleet managers partner with a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) provider, a crucial aspect of the agreement is the provider’s EV fleet charging uptime guarantee. Uptime—the amount of time charging infrastructure is operational and available—directly influences fleet efficiency and total cost of ownership, making it essential to choose a provider that aligns with your fleet’s needs.
Each CaaS provider defines and measures uptime differently, making it vital to examine their service level agreements carefully. Here are five key factors to consider when assessing uptime guarantees from prospective CaaS providers:
1. Understand the Service Level Agreement (SLA)
The SLA should outline the provider’s uptime commitment and specific responsibilities. High SLAs, like Electrada’s 99% uptime guarantee, signal a strong dedication to reliability. A high uptime percentage minimizes downtime risks, helping to maintain your fleet’s operational efficiency and meet service expectations.
2. Examine How Uptime Is Measured and Defined
It’s crucial to know how a provider calculates uptime. Does it include all downtime events, or are there exclusions like scheduled maintenance? For instance, if maintenance periods aren’t part of the uptime calculation, this could impact your fleet’s charging schedule. Clarity on uptime definitions allows for better planning and ensures the uptime promise aligns with your charging needs.
3. Assess Hardware and Software Reliability
High uptime requires robust infrastructure. Opt for a provider that installs high-quality, climate-appropriate EV Supply Equipment (EVSE). Advanced software capabilities, like self-diagnostics and real-time monitoring, are also essential; these tools can detect issues early, preventing unplanned downtime.
Understanding the provider’s long-term support is equally important. Electrada’s 360 CaaS includes not only hardware and software installations but also continuous updates and maintenance, ensuring that chargers consistently perform at peak efficiency.
4. Verify Monitoring and Reporting Practices
An EV fleet charging uptime guarantee should be supported by transparent monitoring and reporting. CaaS providers should offer fleet management tools that aggregate and analyze charger data, proactively identifying and resolving issues.
With Electrada’s 360 CaaS, fleet operators gain 24/7/365 access to insights on charging activities, fleet health, and charging infrastructure performance. This data empowers fleet managers to optimize charging strategies, monitor fleet uptime, and plan future charging needs more effectively.
5. Consider Compliance and Industry Standards
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allocates $5 billion to expand public EV charging infrastructure. To qualify, providers must meet a 97% uptime requirement. While this might appeal to fleet managers who rely on shared public infrastructure, particularly the roughly 30% of National Association of Fleet Administrators members who plan to use shared public infrastructure to charge their fleets, it’s essential to recognize the limitations.
Public charging lacks an SLA between operators and users, meaning there’s no guaranteed uptime. A recent University of California, Berkeley study found nearly 25% of public chargers were non-functional due to technical issues. By contrast, a CaaS partner with a dedicated uptime guarantee ensures more reliable, cost-effective charging at your own depot.
How Electrada Can Help Improve Your EV Fleet Charging Uptime
If you’re seeking a seamless, cost-effective, and reliable charging solution, Electrada’s 360 CaaS offers a 99% uptime guarantee for dependable electric fuel. Get in touch to learn how Electrada can support your fleet’s charging needs with a guaranteed uptime commitment.
