e-Boost Optimizes Last Mile Deliveries
The Challenge for Last Mile e-Deliveries
The transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions, and electric vehicles (EVs) play an important part in meeting global goals on climate change. But one of the most common challenges associated with EV adoption is range anxiety. While drivers on average are 4 minutes from a gas station, and can fill a tank in less than five minutes, that proximity to and time at a charging station can’t compete.
Moreover, as consumers have increasingly turned to ecommerce for every essential, fast deliveries have become the de facto expectation of every online shopping experience.
In rural areas, a route could be several miles long with only a few drop-offs in total. That translates to a lot of time and battery charge spent on only a few deliveries. In heavily urbanized areas, the congestion of traffic can use up just as much time and battery charge, even though the drop-offs are closer together.In meeting consumer demand, the last mile delivery is the most critical step in the delivery process. But while customers want delivery that is free and fast, it is the most expensive and time-consuming step.
Increase Revenue & Decrease Cost with e-Boost
e-Boost can bring greater efficiency to each e-vehicle by cutting the cost of returning to a depot for refueling and shift changes. Most last mile fleet vans are designed to travel 70-mile routes daily prior to returning to the depot. There refueling typically requires an overnight charge performed by Level 2 chargers.
In addition, with e-Boost, delivery companies can take advantage of seasonal spikes that increase revenue, without the capital expense of adding additional e-vehicles to their fleet. Unlike conventional battery charging banks, which must return to a specific charging location, e-Boost units are refueled automatically through smart sensors, and software that notify local propane distribution partners.
• The driver for a 2nd shift can be transported to the last delivery point aboard the e-Boost unit where recharging of the e-Van will occur.
• Recharging occurs in less than 30 minutes compared to overnight.
• While the 2nd shift driver continues deliveries, the e-Boost unit returns to the depot with the 1st shift driver.
Pathway to Net-Zero
Moreover, e-Boost units are refueled by local Propane suppliers. Propane is one of the cleanest fuels available, offering the lowest in carbon emissions per million BTUs according to the EIA. It does not contaminate the soil or groundwater because it’s non-toxic and non-poisonous. Propane’s environmentally friendly benefits don’t end there. It is a pathway to net-zero emissions with the inclusion of commercial scale renewable Liquid Propane Gas (rLPG) and renewable Dimethyl Ether (rDME) expected in 2022.
Servicing of Units
Charging networks haven’t had the best record for operational maintenance. Charging stations are serviced by their owners, and some simply provide better service contracts than others. e-Boost units are serviced by Pioneer’s Critical Power Group, which has been servicing power generation assets for three decades with a nationwide network.
e-Boost is a product of Pioneer eMobility, a division of Pioneer Power Solutions (NASDAQ: PPSI), experienced providers of off-grid resiliency solutions like distributed power and backup power generation assets throughout the USA. All e-Boost units provide backup power and connectivity in the event of outages.