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Your field team is ready and the route is set, but the EV is only 30% charged. Suddenly, the whole day falls apart. Jobs get missed, costs go up due to repeat visits, and your team is left juggling the workload. In this episode with Volteum, we'll cover common challenges and best practices for managing field work for companies going electric.
Electrifying your fleet can be a great way to meet ESG goals, but without planning, they can also cause your costs to spiral out of control.
With petrol or diesel vehicles, you just refuel anywhere and move on. But with EVs, charging networks are fragmented and unpredictable. A 30-minute delay from an outdated charger can lead to missed opportunities and repeat visits. That cuts into your margins.
If you're in Operations, it’s not enough to plan where your field teams go, you also need to plan when, where, and how long they charge, and at what cost. Traditional route planning tools alone won’t cut it anymore.
Tools like Dynamics 365 Field service are a great way to provide field technicians with optimised daily route planning. But even the best route won't save the day if their van starts the day at 30% battery and no charging plan is in place.
“The biggest differences between petrol or diesel vehicles and electric vehicles are range and charging time,” explains Zsófia Tóth, Volteum’s co-founder and CEO.
The high variability of EVs introduces serious complexity:
“We forecast the energy consumption for every vehicle for the next day using factors like route, vehicle type, topography, and even weather,” said Zsófia Tóth. “Based on that, we generate a charging schedule that respects all real-world constraints: grid capacity, parking availability, energy pricing, and human factors like avoiding 2 am plug-ins.”
Here’s what smart EV fleet planning can look like when you leverage connected data and real-world constraints. No more guesswork, just precision and control:
Know ahead of time if any vehicle will need to charge mid-route, and where that charging can happen without disrupting operations.
Create intelligent charging schedules for depot-based vehicles that take advantage of off-peak energy pricing, ensuring full batteries by morning without unnecessary costs.
Avoid overbuilding by strategically scheduling charger use, even fleets with more vehicles than chargers can stay fully operational without delays.
If a vehicle consumes more energy than forecasted or a charger goes offline, get real-time alerts to adjust plans quickly and keep your fleet moving.
By thinking strategically and using the right data, fleet managers can confidently navigate the complexity of EV operations and unlock real efficiency.
Electrification doesn't need to be disruptive if you do it right.
“We usually advise companies to start with one to three vehicles and gain real-world experience,” said Zsófia. “When companies try to scale too fast without internal processes, it can do more harm than good.”
With the right tools, even a small pilot can give teams the insights they need to scale confidently. By simulating what an optimal fleet and infrastructure setup would look like before making any investments, teams can plan ahead effectively. As infrastructure projects and grid upgrades can take years to implement, this is critical.
Here are Zsófia Tóth’s top takeaways for operations teams managing electric fleets:
1. EVs can save money, but only if you plan ahead.
EVs aren’t always more expensive. Strategic planning around energy, routes, and infrastructure is key to unlocking significant ROI. Companies that think ahead can save money and maximise the value of their EV investments.
2. Don’t overbuild.
A smarter charger strategy often outperforms a bigger one. Most fleets don’t need a charger for every vehicle. With the right software, companies can reduce costs and maintain uptime by efficiently managing fewer chargers.
3. Treat electrification as a data problem.
With EVs, success isn’t just about vehicles and chargers. It’s about real-time data, smart connectivity, and operational optimisation. Unlike petrol fleets, EV operations demand a strategic approach to how everything is connected and managed.
If you’re considering electrifying your fleet, start by putting together a plan and running simulations to put them to the test.
“Companies that succeed with EVs are the ones who put in the work early,” said Zsófia Tóth. “They pilot, they learn, and when they scale, they’re miles ahead of their competitors.”
Volteum helps enterprise Ops teams do exactly that. From planning and simulation to day-to-day execution, they take the guesswork out of EV operations.
👉 Book a demo at volteum.io or connect with Zsófia on LinkedIn.
Watch how Dallmayr Hungary's digital shift boosted efficiency by 30%, using ERP and Automation for real-time data and asset control.
Dallmayr, a company with a rich history dating back nearly 300 years, has evolved from a supplier for German royalty to a leading coffee supplier in Europe and Africa. Specializing in high-quality Arabica coffee, Dalmeyer owns coffee plantations and sources coffee globally, ensuring compliance with European regulations against deforestation.
In Hungary, Dallmayr focuses on the professional coffee sector, partnering with major hotel and restaurant chains and operating a leading vending business. The company faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with closures affecting the market and revealing the limitations of their outdated systems. The existing Navision system, developed in 2005, required either an upgrade or a complete overhaul.
In 2021, Dallmayr sought a consulting company to assist with digital transformation, as they lacked in-house IT expertise. Visual Labs was chosen for their understanding of Dallmayr's unique business structure and needs. Together, they implemented a new ERP system, Business Central, and transitioned to Microsoft 365 Dynamics for CRM, later switching to Power Apps for greater flexibility.
Dallmayr integrated various systems, including a custom Dalma app, to connect field staff, back office, and financial departments. The transition was challenging, with initial difficulties in adapting to new processes. However, within a year, efficiency increased by 30% in the back office, with many administrative tasks automated.
Field staff required simple, responsive tools, leading to the development of a SQL-based web application for easy documentation. The integration of telemetric systems allowed for real-time monitoring and control of vending machines, enhancing operational efficiency.
Dallmayr is exploring AI for knowledge sharing, customer service preparation, and predictive analytics. The goal is to automate decision-making processes, such as product rotation in vending machines, to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on human expertise. AI is expected to play a significant role in future operations, providing insights and recommendations based on aggregated data.
Dallmayr's digital transformation in Hungary serves as a blueprint for the group, demonstrating the benefits of integrating modern technology into traditional business models. The company's journey highlights the importance of flexibility, collaboration, and innovation in adapting to changing market conditions and customer needs.
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Get insights into current trends and future directions in digital transformation, particularly within the banking industry.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital transformation, the banking sector stands at a pivotal juncture. The recent discussions at a prominent event shed light on the current trends and future directions in digital transformation, particularly within the banking industry.
The industry is moving beyond traditional buzzwords like "mobile-first" and "cloud-native," which have become standard practices. The focus is now on "AI-first" and "cloud-exclusive" strategies, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence and exclusive cloud solutions to drive innovation and efficiency.
Artificial intelligence is not just a trend but a transformative tool that is reshaping the banking sector. AI's potential lies in areas such as classification, knowledge sharing, and personalization. However, it is crucial to discern where AI can be effectively applied and where traditional methods may still hold value.
The emphasis is on developing capabilities rather than rigid strategies. This involves equipping employees with skills in AI, data management, cloud computing, and low-code/no-code platforms. These capabilities are essential for adapting to the unpredictable future of the financial sector.
While regulatory environments can pose challenges, they should not be viewed as insurmountable obstacles. Building future-agnostic infrastructures and competencies can help organizations meet regulatory requirements effectively, turning potential barriers into opportunities for differentiation.
The speed at which innovative ideas are implemented is a critical differentiator. Organizations must focus on reducing the time to market for new solutions, ensuring that customers benefit from the latest advancements promptly.
A significant cultural shift is required to eliminate the divide between business and IT. This involves fostering a unified company perspective where all employees, regardless of their role, are equipped to understand and leverage digital capabilities.
AI is expected to play a crucial role in fraud prevention and transaction analysis. By analyzing post-transaction data, AI can help identify patterns and develop rules for real-time monitoring, enhancing the security and efficiency of banking operations.
The path forward for the banking sector involves staying relevant and adaptable in the face of rapid technological advancements. By focusing on building capabilities, embracing AI, and fostering a culture of innovation, banks can navigate the complexities of digital transformation and remain competitive in the long term.
The insights from this event underscore the importance of a strategic approach to digital transformation, where the focus is on practical implementation and continuous adaptation to emerging technologies.
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