While it is quite environmentally friendly to use an electric vehicle (EV) for courier work, there are some practical challenges. One of them is trying not to run out of power during the day, which could become a hassle and leave the consignment stranded somewhere. However, in good news for those who make a living from courier work, recharging the vehicle will not be so much of a problem anymore. Google Maps now also features Electric Vehicle Charging points, so a driver will not have to rely on memory to plan feasible driving routes.
Andrew Foster, group product manager for Google Maps, described the service as: ‘showing you information about the business where the station is located, the types of ports available, charging speeds, and how many ports there are.’
Embracing the Promising Future of Electric Vehicles
Additionally, each listing also includes user ratings and reviews, with specific details about charger speeds and many other issues. The service is available both on iOS and Android, which makes it easily accessible for anyone. Quite like searching for shops, restaurants and other services on Maps, a user simply needs to search for the term ‘EV charging’ and the app will display nearby stations. This adds an extra layer of convenience to fleets that consist of multiple EVs – drivers won’t have to worry about where they’re going to fuel up, they can simply Google it while they’re on the road in a particular location.
Making your Business “Green”
This new update has been developed to keep up with the growing volume of EVs on the road – both for personal and commercial use. More people are opting for these vehicles instead of cars that run on expensive petrol or diesel and courier work businesses are also making the switch.
According to charging point mapper Zap-Map, the UK already has over 18,000 charging connectors, with more being added on a regular basis. In order to support the predicted one million EVs that will be in operation within a couple of years, around 100,000 such ports will be needed, according to a report by Emu Analytics. Particularly in the goods transport industry, using an EV instead of a fossil fuel-guzzling car to get an item from one point to another is far more compatible with an environmentally responsible business strategy. This approach is becoming more of a necessity in the twenty-first century, rather than simply another option.
Using this eco-friendly alternative is an excellent way to reduce the carbon footprint of your courier work. With many businesses trying to be more environmentally conscious, using an electric car to transport goods will also give you a competitive edge over others. If you haven’t already explored this new feature on Google Maps, do give it a try. You or your employees can now set off on long-haul journeys in a ‘green’ van without having to keep your eyes peeled for charging points on the way.
Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier work in the express freight exchange industry. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange company in the UK.
This article is copyright free.